Balmedie beach is a 20 km long unspoilt stretch of sand located in Balmedie Country Park, which also comprises areas of heathland and woodland. It is renowned for its golden sand and grassy dunes that run along the rear of the beach.
Part of the Sands of Forvie, a dune system that runs from Donmouth Local Nature Reserve at Aberdeen to the mouth of the River Ythan near the town of Newburgh and the fifth largest in the UK, the dunes at Balmedie are designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The dunes near the sea are constantly shifting, altering the landscape over time, and although sand-boarding and climbing are undertaken by some intrepid visitors, these activities are not recommended.
The rear dunes are much more stable with an extensive boardwalk running through them for easy access. Picnic tables, litter bins, and barbecue stands are provided, as well as a children’s play area making the site ideal for a family day out.
Primarily held in place with marram grass, other plants that grow on the dunes include red fescue, crowberry, cross-leaved heath, and marsh perrywort.
Sandwich terns, common terns, skylarks, and stonechats breed amongst the grasses of the dunes, while in winter snow buntings are regular visitors. Birds of prey such as kestrels, short-eared owls, and sparrowhawks, can often be seen circling overhead hunting for small mammals like water voles. Larger mammals including red foxes, badgers, and stoats have also been spotted in area.
Two watercourses run through the dunes to the sea providing a wetland habitat for wading birds. Look out for redshanks, oystercatchers, lapwings, and golden plovers.
Seabirds found around Balmedie beach include kittiwakes, guillemots, gannets, and gulls, while whales, dolphins, and seals can sometimes be seen swimming offshore.
For history buffs, there are four WWII pillboxes remaining on the beach and some anti-tank blocks sitting at the base of the dunes. The wind has eroded the sand to reveal the deep foundations on which these sea defences were built. At low tide several shipwrecks are exposed including that of Mary of Banff, a schooner carrying a cargo of coal, that was wrecked about 2.5 km south of Balmedie on the 15th December 1900.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, salmon fishing was a common industry at Balmedie and before the fish was taken to market it would be stored in what were known as ‘ice houses’ built into the dunes. One of these still exists and you may also come across the remains of fishing poles strewn on the beach.
The flat sand of Balmedie is popular with horse riders, runners, and walkers. There are 5 recommended routes within the country park ranging in distance from 500 m to 3.5 km including one specifically designed for horses. For the longer walk, sturdy footwear is recommended as the ground can get wet underfoot in places. A map of the routes can be round at The Sand Bothy, a volunteer-run visitor centre situated in the former office of the Balmedie Beach Ranger Service, and which also serves hot and cold drinks, ice cream, and snacks to takeaway.
Balmedie beach is popular with surfers and kite-surfers and the clean water is perfect for swimming and paddling. Although dogs are allowed on the beach and dunes throughout the year, during breeding season they should be kept on leads to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds.
For a variety of shops, including a small supermarket and pharmacy, head into Balmedie village. You’ll also find a fish and chip shop, several pubs, and coffee shops if you fancy a bite to eat.
There are plenty of car parks available in Balmedie country park. The nearest to the beach is North Car Park which has about 100 spaces including disabled spaces as well as public toilets, which are open from 7:00 am until dusk.
For visitors with a disability or mobility issues, Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs is an innovative scheme that provides a variety of all-terrain wheelchairs that can be hired free of charge. The charity can be found in a bunker built into the sand dunes in the country park.
