Bird watching in East Lothian and stay at Maitlandfield House Hotel

Maitlandfield House hotel is located in the heart of East Lothian, Scotland. This makes us ideal for any keen bird watchers wishing to explore the area, with many sites offering a wide range of bird and wildlife. Here are some of the more popular choices:

Aberlady Bay
Aberlady Bay is the oldest local nature reserve in Scotland, just 5 miles away from Maitlandfield House. With over 250 species on its list, Aberlady is undoubtedly one of Scotland's and Britain's finest birding sites and home to The Scottish Ornithological Club. Open to the public, it offers advice on bird watching and one of the largest collections of related books in the world. Aberlady Bay is particularly popular with birders in October, when thousands of pink-footed Geese return to roost. It is also a great place to view ducks and waders like Golden Plover and Sanderling.

Gosford Bay
Gosford Bay, immediately south-west of Aberlady Bay, is the best site in Scotland for Red-necked Grebe, particularly in the late summer months. During the winter, Slavonian Grebes can be found here, and this is one of the more regular sites in East Lothian for Black-necked Grebe, Great Northern Diver and Black-throated Diver.

Musselburgh
The lagoons near the town centre, created by Scottish Power in the 1960's, have gradually been filled by different bird species. Waders, gulls and terns roost here, while off the sea wall there are good numbers of Eider, Velvet Scoter, Goldeneye and Surf Scoters.

North Berwick
The Scottish Seabird Centre attracts tourists for the many bird species viewable on the Bass Rock. Here, you can see Guillemots, Puffins, Shags and Fulmars. Boat trips are also available. The Centre is open all year round, and during the Autumn, the seals are viewable on camera, meaning you can stay dry in the comfort of the centre on rainy days. To the east there are a number of small coastal sites such as Seacliff, Scoughall and Pefferside that are good places for bird watching off the beaten path.

Maitlandfield House offer group rates for bed and breakfast or dinner, bed and breakfast for groups of 8 or more on request. For bird watchers on a day trip in the area, enjoy high tea in our brasserie or in the Great Hall.

TO BOOK accommodation at Maitlandfield House to go bird watching in East Lothian, Scotland, please complete the enquiry form or call our reservations on + 44 (0) 1620 826513.