Nature spotting in the city

‘Dolphins in Aberdeen’ may sound like a phrase along the lines of ‘when pigs fly’, but amazingly you can actually spot dolphins up in the granite city! In fact, visiting the Greyhope Bay Centre at the Torry Battery gives you the highest possibility of spotting bottlenose dolphins all year round in the UK. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the dolphins as they play at the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour, very close to the city centre.  

Soak up the calming sounds of the wind and waves whilst keeping your eyes peeled for other wildlife; whales, otters, seals and more have all been seen from the Torry Battery. If you’re looking for the best of city and nature combined, look no further. Greyhope Bay Centre has teamed up with the team at Mount Café, pairing artisan coffee and comforting bakes with uninterrupted views of the shifting North Sea. 

For a city renowned for its cool, urban landscapes, it’s quite special to be able to find a country park in the heart of Glasgow. Breathe in the fresh air and admire the changing colours of the trees as you wander through the woodlands of Pollok Country Park, a sanctuary in the city in the grounds of the Old Pollok Estate.  

There’s plenty to see and do within the park, from visiting the impressive architecture and culture of Pollok House and The Burrell Collection (an award-winning museum in the grounds of the park), to enjoying the peace of the walled gardens. One of the main highlights of a trip to Scotland is to see our native Highland Cows, but it’s quite a unique experience to see these cute creatures in the middle of Glasgow! The cattle have been part of the park for almost 200 years when the Maxwell family, who owned the grounds, brought them from the Highlands. 

Pittencrieff Park is an ideal place to take the family for an autumn break.  Known by locals as ‘The Glen’, it’s a beautiful green space in the city of Dunfermline with 76 acres of parkland to discover. The landscape has a rich history, including a route through the glen taken by pilgrims making the trip to Dunfermline Abbey, which sits within the grounds and can still be visited today. 

Whilst the park supports plenty of wildlife and nature, perhaps the most exotic are the peacocks! They’ve been part of the park since 1905, when they were brought back from India. They’ve become such a feature of the city that they’ve even been granted the Freedom of the City. Spot them as they roam around the park or visit the aviary sanctuary to learn more about the peacocks and how they’re cared for.  

The Water of Leith is the river that weaves through Edinburgh. It’s been an important water source since Bronze Age times, shaping the history and heritage of its surroundings. If you’re looking for a chance to engage with nature without leaving the city, head down to the water from one of the many access points along its 13-mile route, including Colinton, Haymarket, Stockbridge and Leith.  

As well as the impressive art and attractions easily accessible from the Water of Leith, there’s plenty of wildlife to look out for. Grey herons, swans, squirrels, song thrushes and bats all frequent areas around the river, but there are some visitors that are a bit harder to see. Slowing down and watching the river is a relaxing way of engaging with the landscape of the city, and you might be rewarded with a glimpse of the elusive otters that make the river their home. Even harder to spot are kingfishers, but the excitement of seeing a flash of bright blue is well worth persevering for.