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Cairn of Memsie

0 ha

BirdsWildlifeInsects

Dogs welcome0 ha

Getting here

57.64834, -2.04084

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🐦71+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Chaffinch
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🐦71+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Blackbird and Chaffinch
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

5 activities

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Blackbird, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon +68 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Blackbird, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon +68 more · last seen 2025

Free

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Marmalade Hoverfly +31 more · last seen 2022; Insects — Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Marmalade Hoverfly +31 more · last seen 2022

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Seasonal nature

Good match

Plants — Toad Rush, Rubus furvicolor, Rubus septentrionalis +5 more · last seen 2016; Plants — Toad Rush, Rubus furvicolor, Rubus septentrionalis +5 more · last seen 2016

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Formartine and Buchan WayWalking route86 km

Dyce to Fraserburgh with branch to Peterhead

Named routeLength 86 kmNational walking route

🚴

Cycling

1 signed route nearby

Route 194Cycling route

Named routeRef 194National Cycle Network

Wildlife to spot

1,291 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

1,291 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds73 species

springsummer

2025

Blackbird · Chaffinch · Woodpigeon · Robin · Wren +68

BlackbirdTurdus merula2020
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2015
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2020
RobinErithacus rubecula2015
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2015
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2020
BuzzardButeo buteo2015
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2015
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2014
Coal TitPeriparus ater2015
House SparrowPasser domesticus2020
SwallowHirundo rustica2015
JackdawColoeus monedula2020
Great TitParus major2012
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2011
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2020
GreenfinchChloris chloris2011
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
RookCorvus frugilegus2020
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2011
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2015
DunnockPrunella modularis2015
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2015
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2015
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2015
MagpiePica pica2011
Herring GullLarus argentatus2020
House MartinDelichon urbicum2015
Tree SparrowPasser montanus2012
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2011
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2015
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2015
Rock DoveColumba livia2011
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2011
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2012
WhitethroatCurruca communis2011
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2011
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2011
Carrion/Hooded Crow HybridCorvus corone x cornix2011
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandra
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2015
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2011
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2022
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix2017
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2015
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix2012
CurlewNumenius arquata2012
TealAnas crecca2012
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2011
QuailCoturnix coturnix2010
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2015
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2014
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2014
ShovelerSpatula clypeata2012
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2011
SiskinSpinus spinus2011
LinnetLinaria cannabina2010
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2010
Water RailRallus aquaticus2010
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2020
CuckooCuculus canorus2015
Greylag GooseAnser anser2012
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2011
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2011
SnipeGallinago gallinago2011
Emberiza citrinella caliginosaEmberiza citrinella caliginosa2011
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2011
WigeonMareca penelope2011
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2011
GoosanderMergus merganser2011
Common GullLarus canus2011
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2011
LapwingVanellus vanellus2010

🦌

Mammals4 species

winterspringsummer

2024

Mole · American Mink · Pine Marten · Wildcat

MoleTalpa europaea2017
American MinkNeovison vison2012
Pine MartenMartes martes
WildcatFelis silvestris2013

🐝

Insects34 species

summer

2022

Green-veined White · Small Tortoiseshell · Marmalade Hoverfly · Ringlet · Eristalis arbustorum +29

Green-veined WhitePieris napi
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2018
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
RingletAphantopus hyperantus
Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2017
Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae2018
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2018
Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2018
Large WhitePieris brassicae2018
Small HeathCoenonympha pamphilus2014
Platycheirus manicatusPlatycheirus manicatus
Scaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri
Syrphus ribesiiSyrphus ribesii
Syrphus torvusSyrphus torvus2018
Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens2018
Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus2017
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax2017
Cheilosia illustrataCheilosia illustrata2017
Syrphus vitripennisSyrphus vitripennis
PeacockAglais io
Platycheirus scutatusPlatycheirus scutatus2018
Cheilosia paganaCheilosia pagana2017
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius2017
Eristalis nemorumEristalis nemorum2017
Helophilus hybridusHelophilus hybridus2018
Platycheirus angustatusPlatycheirus angustatus2017
White-tailed BumblebeeBombus lucorum2017
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2017
Melanogaster hirtellaMelanogaster hirtella2017
Bibio pomonaeBibio pomonae2017
Platycheirus scambusPlatycheirus scambus2017
Melanostoma mellinumMelanostoma mellinum2017
Eupeodes lunigerEupeodes luniger2017

🌿

Plants14 species

autumn

2019

Rubus septentrionalis · Toad Rush · Rubus furvicolor · Perfoliate Pondweed · White Ramping-fumitory +9

Rubus septentrionalisRubus septentrionalis2018
Toad RushJuncus bufonius2015
Rubus furvicolorRubus furvicolor2015
Perfoliate PondweedPotamogeton perfoliatus
White Ramping-fumitoryFumaria capreolata
Cut-leaved Crane's-billGeranium dissectum
Fennel PondweedStuckenia pectinata
Broad-leaved PondweedPotamogeton natans
TansyTanacetum vulgare2018
Bushy MintMentha arvensis x spicata = M. x gracilis2016
Black MedickMedicago lupulina2015
BlackthornPrunus spinosa2015
Sweet-briarRosa rubiginosa2015
Pyrus pyraster subsp. pyrasterPyrus pyraster subsp. pyraster2015

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

1,291 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds73 species

springsummer

2025

Blackbird · Chaffinch · Woodpigeon · Robin · Wren +68

BlackbirdTurdus merula2020
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2015
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2020
RobinErithacus rubecula2015
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2015
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2020
BuzzardButeo buteo2015
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2015
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella2014
Coal TitPeriparus ater2015
House SparrowPasser domesticus2020
SwallowHirundo rustica2015
JackdawColoeus monedula2020
Great TitParus major2012
MallardAnas platyrhynchos2011
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2020
GreenfinchChloris chloris2011
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
RookCorvus frugilegus2020
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2011
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2015
DunnockPrunella modularis2015
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2015
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2015
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2015
MagpiePica pica2011
Herring GullLarus argentatus2020
House MartinDelichon urbicum2015
Tree SparrowPasser montanus2012
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2011
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus2015
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2015
Rock DoveColumba livia2011
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2011
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris2012
WhitethroatCurruca communis2011
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2011
Grey HeronArdea cinerea2011
Carrion/Hooded Crow HybridCorvus corone x cornix2011
Corn BuntingEmberiza calandra
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2015
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis2011
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2022
Grey PartridgePerdix perdix2017
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2015
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix2012
CurlewNumenius arquata2012
TealAnas crecca2012
Sand MartinRiparia riparia2011
QuailCoturnix coturnix2010
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2015
Red-legged PartridgeAlectoris rufa2014
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2014
ShovelerSpatula clypeata2012
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2011
SiskinSpinus spinus2011
LinnetLinaria cannabina2010
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2010
Water RailRallus aquaticus2010
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2020
CuckooCuculus canorus2015
Greylag GooseAnser anser2012
StonechatSaxicola rubicola2011
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2011
SnipeGallinago gallinago2011
Emberiza citrinella caliginosaEmberiza citrinella caliginosa2011
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2011
WigeonMareca penelope2011
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2011
GoosanderMergus merganser2011
Common GullLarus canus2011
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2011
LapwingVanellus vanellus2010

🦌

Mammals4 species

winterspringsummer

2024

Mole · American Mink · Pine Marten · Wildcat

MoleTalpa europaea2017
American MinkNeovison vison2012
Pine MartenMartes martes
WildcatFelis silvestris2013

🐝

Insects34 species

summer

2022

Green-veined White · Small Tortoiseshell · Marmalade Hoverfly · Ringlet · Eristalis arbustorum +29

Green-veined WhitePieris napi
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae2018
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
RingletAphantopus hyperantus
Eristalis arbustorumEristalis arbustorum
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2017
Eupeodes corollaeEupeodes corollae2018
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina2018
Helophilus pendulusHelophilus pendulus2018
Large WhitePieris brassicae2018
Small HeathCoenonympha pamphilus2014
Platycheirus manicatusPlatycheirus manicatus
Scaeva pyrastriScaeva pyrastri
Syrphus ribesiiSyrphus ribesii
Syrphus torvusSyrphus torvus2018
Syritta pipiensSyritta pipiens2018
Platycheirus albimanusPlatycheirus albimanus2017
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax2017
Cheilosia illustrataCheilosia illustrata2017
Syrphus vitripennisSyrphus vitripennis
PeacockAglais io
Platycheirus scutatusPlatycheirus scutatus2018
Cheilosia paganaCheilosia pagana2017
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius2017
Eristalis nemorumEristalis nemorum2017
Helophilus hybridusHelophilus hybridus2018
Platycheirus angustatusPlatycheirus angustatus2017
White-tailed BumblebeeBombus lucorum2017
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2017
Melanogaster hirtellaMelanogaster hirtella2017
Bibio pomonaeBibio pomonae2017
Platycheirus scambusPlatycheirus scambus2017
Melanostoma mellinumMelanostoma mellinum2017
Eupeodes lunigerEupeodes luniger2017

🌿

Plants14 species

autumn

2019

Rubus septentrionalis · Toad Rush · Rubus furvicolor · Perfoliate Pondweed · White Ramping-fumitory +9

Rubus septentrionalisRubus septentrionalis2018
Toad RushJuncus bufonius2015
Rubus furvicolorRubus furvicolor2015
Perfoliate PondweedPotamogeton perfoliatus
White Ramping-fumitoryFumaria capreolata
Cut-leaved Crane's-billGeranium dissectum
Fennel PondweedStuckenia pectinata
Broad-leaved PondweedPotamogeton natans
TansyTanacetum vulgare2018
Bushy MintMentha arvensis x spicata = M. x gracilis2016
Black MedickMedicago lupulina2015
BlackthornPrunus spinosa2015
Sweet-briarRosa rubiginosa2015
Pyrus pyraster subsp. pyrasterPyrus pyraster subsp. pyraster2015

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Peter Ward · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Cairn of Memsie

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🌱Pitblae ParkUrban park3.2 km→🌱ABC SwingsUrban park3.8 km→🌱Saltoun GardensUrban park5 km→🌱Saltoun GardensUrban park5 km→⛪Rathen West ChurchReligious grounds2.6 km→🪦Fraserburgh CemeteryCemetery4.2 km→

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