Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve

No matter the time of the year, the beautiful Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve offers guests the chance to explore untamed Scottish wilderness, from thriving pine forests to windy dunes. Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve is a place for friends and family to gather and see the best that Scotland offers.

If you want to know more about this sizeable nature reserve, you’re in luck! We’ve listed not only everything you’ll need to know about the Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve, the top things to do while in the Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve, and so much more. Let’s go right into it!

About the Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve

Placed on the easternmost point of the Kingdom of Fife, the fascinating Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve is a mixture of stunning Scottish terrain, including forests, grasslands, and sweeping dunes. Walkers and cyclists will be overjoyed to know plenty of routes to enjoy.

The Tentsmuir Nature Reserve is reasonably sizeable, spanning 1,500 hectares of land. It’s the perfect place to spend an entire day with your loved ones, and plenty to do while you’re here.

You can enter the Tentsmuir car park from Morton Lochs, Tayport Heath, and Kinshady. If you’re looking for easy parking, you have many great options. The Morton Lochs central car park offers free parking, while the Kinshaldy car park offers parking for 2 pounds. Blue Badge holders can have an annual pass for 20 pounds or seasonal access for 50 pounds.

There’s something to see no matter what time of year, so don’t worry if you’re coming in Spring, Summer, Autumn, or Winter – this national park is open for you no matter when. What exactly is there to do in Tentsmuir Nature Reserve? Read on to find out!

Things to Do in the Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve

We recommend that you allocate an entire day to explore the Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve; there’s so much to do, and giving yourself a whole day to enjoy is the best way not to rush the quiet moments this park offers. Here are our top things to do at the Tentsmuir NNR.

Go for a Nature Walk

With over 1,500 hectares to explore, going for a nature walk is one of the best ways to see the diverse nature that Tentsmuir has to offer. The nature paths of Tentsmuir take you through a vivid landscape, from towering forests home to red squirrels, colourful dune heathland stretching for miles, and even seaside dunes!

Tentsmuir Forest is a popular destination, and we highly recommend making it one of your first stops. Navigating Scotland’s bustling cities is superb, but nothing beats a peaceful forest stroll. Paths vary from one kilometre to three, but visitors can also opt for relaxing short walks through Morton Lochs that overlook wetlands and forests.

Try Horse Riding or Cycling

Walking is one of many ways to navigate the beautiful trails of Tentsmuir, but there are options to go horse-riding and cycling as well!

Many trails that follow the water’s edge and natural paths can support cyclists and horse riding without too much hassle. However, these services are not part of the nature park, so if you want to experience the Tentsmuir forest in a certain way, it’s best to search for nearby services that offer them, like the Kinshaldy stables.

Explore the Dunes

Tentsmuir is known for its beautiful dunes and sand flats, marking the Fife Coastal Path. You can see if an area is within the nature park by the brown Kinshaldy beach signs, which highlight the conserved region of Northeast Fife.

And while the sand dunes make for beautiful scenery, we recommend not attempting to swim within the coastal waters – the currents are pretty strong. Populating the sandy dunes is a wealth of wildlife that guests can look forward to, including grey seals, birdlife, and even cattle that prune the grassy dunes during the summer.

Enjoy a Picnic at the Picnic Tables

If you’re stopping by the natural park, that’s okay too! You can enjoy a brief respite using the park’s picnic area, which overlooks stunning forests.

In addition to stunning views, the young ‘uns can enjoy some time at the children’s play area to expend energy before driving to the next destination! We recommend sampling some of the delicious food from Tayport or Dundee and enjoying it as you take in the fresh smell of a pine forest – there’s even a BBQ area.

Wildlife Watch in Wildlife Hides

Four bird hides are scattered around the Tentsmuir forest, allowing birders to survey the variety of birdlife that call the trees their home.

You can expect to see bar-tailed godwit, sea eagles, pink-footed geese, shy teal, and even red squirrels as they scurry and navigate the untamed wilderness. The four hides you can access are located at the Morton Lochs part of the reserve, with two hides on the north loch, one on the south loch, and one Fullerton hide (which needs a key to be opened).

Visit Historic Sites

As you walk through the stunning Morton Loch, you can expect to see not just beautiful natural landscapes, but did you know that the area is filled with incredible history to boot? If you head south within the Morton Lochs, archaeologists found where Stone Age hunters made fire pits and tools.

But Stone Age history isn’t the only thing to look forward to for history buffs. During the Second World War, Tentsmuir was one of the lines of defences for Scotland’s east coast. Polish troops built concrete barriers along the coast to ward off tanks now lost to the seas. As the tide shifts and the sands move, there’s more chance for a hidden gem to appear each day.

You can see the Polish monuments, the Dragon’s Teeth, which are the remains of this ancient barricade.

See the Ice House

One of the most famous trails within the Tentsmuir Nature Reserve, the Ice House Trail offer visitors the chance to see a 19th-century Ice House. This path is 6.2 kilometres and presents a moderate challenge to those with more experience.

The trail takes you through the sandy dunes, with the wild Fife Coast invigorating you with fresh ocean air. The Ice House was built in 1852, and it was initially used to store salmon but now is home to a colony of Natterer Bats.

Go Golfing

Outside the shifting sands and away from hungry birds, visitors can experience the time of their lives by trying out the golfing links that populate the Fife region around Tentsmuir Point. With a rich mix of terrain and stunning views out to the coastal paths, golfing is a great way of enjoying the Tay estuary and lowers your handicap in the home of golf.

Events

For those who’re into the running scene, you’ll love the Scurry Around Tentsmuir Forest Trail Running Festival! This event is held annually and lets visitors explore the forest and the new trails yearly.

Choose between a half marathon, 10 kilometres, 5 kilometres, and a 1.2-kilometre option, and racers receive a finishers medal and a race memento to commemorate the event! If you want a challenge to face during your holiday, then Scurry Around is a great choice!

Accommodation

If you’re planning to spend time in the Kingdom of Fife, you’ll want to stay at some fantastic accommodations options available to you. And while there are few accommodation options with the Nature Reserve, visitors will have plenty to choose from in the surrounding area!

Major towns like St Andrews, Tayport Heath, and the city of Dundee are all within a day’s travel of the Tentsmuir Nature Reserve. Stay in comfort before you begin to trek out to the heathland, forests, and sandy dunes that make up Tentsmuir, with the region’s sublime choices for accommodation.

You can enjoy comfortable hotels in Dundee, like the Hampton or Premier Inn, or enjoy a hearty meal at a local bed and breakfast near the reserve. There are even choices for self-catering if you value the serenity of staying with your closest friends and family.