Montrose Basin covers some 750 hectares – it is the large enclosed estuary of the South Esk river. This Local Nature Reserve offers the perfect opportunity to see a variety of resident and migratory birds – including pink-footed geese, common terns, teal and sedge warblers. The Scottish Wildlife Trust's four-star Visitor Centre overlooks the southeast corner of the Basin. Here the exhibition, viewing gallery and shop offers a great base for all the family to view and explore the Basin.

There are a variety of different habitats within the Reserve. These include extensive mudflats, salt-marshes and reed-beds. The depth and salinity of the water changes with the tides. Around the Basin are also unimproved grassland, patches of woodland and arable land. The Reserve is particularly noted for the birds that breed, feed and roost here, including eider ducks, mute swans, redshank, lapwing, pintail and wigeon. Being a Local Nature Reserve, the Basin is also important for the leisure activities it supports – bird watching, sailing, fishing and wildfowling – all co-existing with the wildlife.

This short walk to Tayock Hide is always interesting to go on but is especial beautiful at sunrise or sunset when you will see the light reflected on the Basin whilst watching and listening to the birds. There is a large, tarred-surface car park at Tayock, with no designated parking bays. The walk along from the car park to the hide is gentle and easy. It’s about 1km in distance and is wheelchair accessible.

This tour has been produced with the support of GOSTEP (Eurostars project E!10028), Scottish Wildlife Trust and CMC Associates.