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.
We update our crag information throughout the 2024 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...
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.
Clachnaben
Caenlochan / Glas Maol
Canness Glen
Corrie of Bonhard
Erne Craigs, Corrie Fee
Craig Maud
The Hunt Hill
Juanjorge
Winter Corrie
Dun Leacainn Crag, Furnace
The Spot, Ardgoil (both Upstairs and Downstairs tiers)
Glen Afton
Huntly's Cave, Grantown-on-Spey
Stag Rocks (Longbow Crag)
Lochnagar
Creag an Dubh-loch
Lurchers Crag, Lairig Ghru
Loudoun Hill, Darvel, Ayrshire
Traprain Law Quarry, East Linton, East Lothian
Roslin Glen, Edinburgh (avoid Red Cliff. Other crags are ok)
Clifton Crag
Clints of Dromore
Craigdews
Dungeon Hill
Craigencallie
Loch Grannoch Crag
Meikle Ross
Portobello Bay Cliff & Sea Buttress (Limpet area), Mull of Galloway
Larbrax Slabs, Galloway
The Tauchers
Barkeval, Rum
Orval Pinnacle, Rum
Sron Uladail, Harris
Torr Nead an Eoin, North Arran
Blovid, Shetland (avoid the approach to the crag)
The Camel, Creag nan Clag, near Duntelchaig
Creag a Ghlastail, Strathconon
Creag Ghlas, Strathconon (take care, birds nesting nearby)
Moy Rock , near Contin
Brin Rock, near Loch Ruthven
Binnein Shuas, near Loch Laggan
Dirc Mhor, near Dalwhinnie
Creag a’Bhancair , Buachaille Etive Mor
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
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
Rockdust Crag, near Pitlochry
Speirean Ruadh, Strath Fionan, near Schiehallion
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Mountaineering Scotland is a registered trademark of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland Limited
