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Nesting bird updates

As a responsible climber, you should be aware that it is a criminal offence to interfere with the nest of any wild bird, or obstruct a bird from using it, either intentionally or recklessly.

Most birds will nest well away from climbing crags but you should always be aware of the possibility that a bird could be nesting where you want to climb.

Interfering with nesting birds during their breeding season (generally between February and July) is more than undesirable, it is a criminal offence, so we have teamed up with conservationists to give climbers and walkers the information they need to avoid this. Check out our crag by crag updates below.

Every spring, we work closely with Raptor Study Groups (which dedicate their time to the monitoring and study of raptors) and Ranger Services to give climbers up-to-date information on known or likely nesting sites on Scotland's most popular climbing crags, enabling you to plan ahead and avoid these locations as required.

 

It is a criminal offence to interfere with the nest of any wild bird or obstruct a bird from using it, either intentionally or recklessly. Some rare or more endangered species, like golden eagles or peregrine falcons have extra protection (Schedule 1 species) and it is an offence to disturb these birds while they are building a nest or are near a nest containing eggs, young or dependent young.

Buzzard, Annie MacDonald

This system can only operate for those crags where we have information - it is not comprehensive - you should always be vigilant of the potential disturbance of birds on any crag where you might climb. 

  • Help other climbers by contacting our access officer at access@mountaineering.scot if you have an update about any birds nesting on a crag - or their absence from notified crags.





Latest nesting bird information - 2024

We update our crag information throughout the 2022 nesting season. While we are doing this, climbers are requested to be aware of the potential risk of disturbance at nest sites during courtship, nest building and egg sitting periods in the early part of the season.

Thank you for your cooperation...

Key to guidance:

Schedule 1 birds are currently nesting on this crag - please check for specific details of the extent of any voluntary restrictions to buttresses, sections of crags or entire crags, as well as access to them.

Schedule 1 birds have been noted at this venue and may be considering a nest site. Climbers should follow our 'bird nesting season' and 'at the crag' advice.

Previous known nesting site, but no Schedule 1 nesting birds have been reported this year, so climbing is unaffected.

Previous known nesting site, but no information received so far this year. Climbers should follow our 'bird nesting season' and 'at the crag' advice.

Aberdeenshire

                                                                                                                                                         Clachnaben

Angus

           

Caenlochan / Glas Maol

           

Canness Glen 

                                                                                                                                                         Corrie of Bonhard

                                                                                                                                                         Erne Craigs, Corrie Fee

                                                                                                                                                        Craig Maud

           

The Hunt Hill 

                                                                                                                                                        Juanjorge 

           

Winter Corrie 

Argyll

           

Dun Leacainn Crag,  Furnace

Ayrshire

           

Glen Afton

Cairngorms

           

Huntly's Cave, Grantown-on-Spey

           

Stag Rocks (Longbow Crag)

           

Lochnagar

           

Creag an Dubh-loch 

           

Lurchers Crag, Lairig Ghru 

Central Scotland

                                                                                                                                                        Loudoun Hill, Darvel, Ayrshire 

                                                                                                                                                        Traprain Law Quarry, East Linton, East Lothian

                                                                                                                                                        Roslin Glen, Edinburgh. (avoid Red Cliff. Other crags are ok)

Dumfries and Galloway

           

Clifton Crag

           

Clints of Dromore

           

Craigdews 

           

Dungeon Hill 

           

Craigencallie 

           

Loch Grannoch Crag

           

Meikle Ross

           

Portobello Bay Cliff & Sea Buttress (Limpet area), Mull of Galloway 

           

The Tauchers

Inner and Outer Hebrides, and Northern Islands

                                                                                                                                                         Barkeval, Rum

                                                                                                                                                            Orval Pinnacle, Rum

                                                                                                                                                         Sron Uladail, Harris

           

Torr Nead an Eoin, North Arran

           

Blovid, Shetland (avoid the approach to the crag)

Inverness area

           

The Camel, Creag nan Clag, near Duntelchaig 

           

Creag a Ghlastail, Strathconon

                                                                                                                                                        Creag Ghlas, Strathconon

Moy Rock , near Contin 

Brin Rock, near Loch Ruthven  

Laggan

                                                                                                                                                        Binnein Shuas, near Loch Laggan

                                                                                                                                                          Dirc Mhor, near Dalwhinnie 


Western Highlands


Creag a’Bhancair , Buachaille Etive Mor

Northern Highlands

                                                                                                                                                           Am Buachaille sea stack, Sandwood Bay 

                                                                                                                                                           Creag Mhor Bhrinicoire , Morar ( "Grand Old Master" on the first pitch)

           

Sgurr Mor, Fannichs

                                                                                                                                                           Old Man's Beard, Creag nan Cadhag Sports Crag, Loch Maree

                                                                                                                                                           Bovnahackit, Creag nan Cadhag Sports Crag, Loch Maree

                                                                                                                                                           Battle Axe, Creag nan Cadhag Sports Crag, Loch Maree

Perthshire

           

Lower Lednock Sports Crag, Glen Lednock

                                                                                                                                                        Weeping Wall, Glen Lednock

                                                                                                                                                        Diamond Buttress, Glen Lednock

                                                                                                                                                         

New Crag, Glen Lednock

                                                                                                                                                        South Buttress, Glen Lednock

                                                                                                                                                        Lunar Buttress, Glen Lednock

                                                                                                                                                        Superlative Buttress, Glen Lednock

                                                                                                                                                        Great Buttress, Glen Lednock

           

Hideaway Crag, Glen Lednock

                                                                                                                                                           Craig na-Iolair Glen Lednock 

                                                                                                                                                           The Asteroid, Sunny Side, Glen Ogle (Please take access to other crags from the higher of the two car parks)

                                                                                                                                                           The Gap, Sunny Side, Glen Ogle (Please take access to other crags from the higher of the two car parks)

                                                                                                                                                           The Terraces, Sunny Side, Glen Ogle (Please take access to other crags from the higher of the two car parks)

                                                                                                                                                           The Gallery, Sunny Side, Glen Ogle (Please take access to other crags from the higher of the two car parks)

                                                                                                                                                           Creag Mac Ranaich, Glen Ogle

                                                                                                                                                           Craigmore, Crieff (at the left end, the bouldering wall and right hand routes are okay)

       

Dunira, Crieff 

           

Creag na h Eighe, Tulliemet (Avoid the right side of the Main Wall)


                                                                                                                                                           Rockdust Crag,  near Pitlochry

                                                                                                                                                           Speirean Ruadh, Strath Fionan, near Schiehallion