Troup-head
The cliffs at Troup Head house mainland Scotland's only gannetry, with 1,500 pairs of these majestic birds. There are also puffins, guillemots and razorbills. Though perhaps best seen from the sea below this short walk visits the clifftop overlooking the gannets' nests.
Farm track then grassy clifftop path. The cliffs are unprotected so keep well back from the edge.
1.25miles, 1hr, grade 1
Stage 1
For a longer walk, start at Crovie, from where this walk can be done as an extension to the Crovie Five Farms walk. Otherwise, drive to Northfield Farm and continue on the track beyond (following the RSPB markers) to reach a signed parking area on the right. Begin the walk by continuing along the track, swinging right at the junction just past the car park. After passing through a gate the walk continues along the edge of the field, keeping the fence on your left. At the fork at the far end, keep right. There are good views over to the right, with the tiny village of Pennan visible beyond sea-cliffs stained white with guano.
Stage 2
The grassy track descends a little to reach the fence at a kissing-gate near the cliff top. From here on take great care as the cliffs of Troup Head are unfenced and dangerous; it is difficult to get a good view down. Follow the path to the left, climbing beside the fence. Hundreds of gannets can usually be seen circling below; these graceful birds fly far to fish, which they catch by harpooning into the sea. Ignore a gate in the fence on the left and continue ahead by the coast.
Stage 3
Soon there is another gate in the fence, this time with a sign. The route back to the car park turns left here, but continue straight ahead first to visit the best spot for viewing the nests on the cliffs. Reach a signed viewpoint; there are CCTV cameras just below here which beam live pictures of the gannetry back to the aquarium in MacDuff. This is the only spot on the clifftop where the gannets' nests can be seen easily. The young, known as Gugas, are huge and fluffy by the summer and it is possible to watch the parent birds regurgitating food for them.
Once you've seen enough of the gannets, return to the last gate in the fence. Turn right through this and follow the path which soon rejoins the outward route. Keep straight ahead to return to the car park.
Gentle Walk
smclellan on scottexservices.com