Berwickshire Marine Reserve

Home , Berwickshire, Coldingham, Coldingham Bay, Eyemouth, St Abbs

1 2 Berwickshire Marine Reserve Beach Cafe Located between the historic fishing towns of St Abbs and Eyemouth, the Berwickshire St Vedas Surf Shop Marine Reserve stretches for

Beach Cafe

eight kilometres and covers Coldingham Coldingham 10.3km2 of coastal waters.

St. Abbs Established in 1984, the Berwickshire Marine Reserve (BMR) was created in order Café to conserve and protect the rich marine life of the area and promote responsible Starney Bay Coldingham Bay recreational use alongside a sustainable MAP: OS Landranger 67, NT916677 MAP: OS Landranger 67, NT917665 commercial fishery. A Scottish registered NEAREST VILLAGE: St Abbs (0.4 miles) NEAREST VILLAGE: Coldingham (0.9 miles) charity, the BMR is one of the UK’s oldest Part of National Trust for Scotland’s St Abbs Head An easily accessible beach perfect for a family marine reserves and remains the only Nature Reserve, this beautiful beach is accessed day out. The central sandy section is a great spot by the steps down from the coastal path. Rich for first time snorkelling. For more experienced voluntary marine reserve in Scotland. kelp beds and rocky reefs in the bay are home to snorkellers, the rocky shores fringing the bay colourful ballan wrasse, leopard-spotted gobies teem with life, from seaweed, anemones and and an array of anemone species. The easier urchins to butterfish, gobies and scorpionfish. central section is perfect for beginners, whilst the rocky outcrops offer more advanced snorkelling. 3 4

St Vedas Surf Shop

Beach

Cafe

Coldingham

Due to a mixing of cold and warm waters, the seas here are host to a diverse range of

Eyemouth marine life. Cold water species such as Atlantic Holiday Park wolfish live in close proximity to warm water species including the Devonshire cup coral. Eyemouth The marine reserve is also host to some of the UK’s best examples of habitats associated with sea caves, rocky reefs and sea arches. Weasel Loch Milldown Bay This incredible diversity of life, coupled with MAP: OS Landranger 67, NT919662 MAP: OS Landranger 67, NT939650 excellent underwater visibility and interesting Coldingham (0.9 miles) NEAREST VILLAGE: Eyemouth (0.3 miles) NEAREST VILLAGE: topography, makes the BMR a fantastic To the south of Coldingham Bay, this smaller and This sheltered bay offers advanced snorkellers more secluded shingle bay is accessed along the the chance to explore a range of habitats. Velvet location to explore life below the waves. A coastal path and offers more fantastic snorkelling swimming crabs and two-spotted gobies frequent hotspot for Scottish snorkelling and SCUBA the kelp forests, sea hares feed amongst the red opportunities. Cracks and crevices in the rocks diving,Weasel Loch the area also supports a thriving provide homes for urchins, anemones and edible seaweed, and cuttlefish hover above the sandy crabs, whilst kelp beds provide shelter for juvenile bottom. Access is via the steep wooden steps that commercial crab and lobster fishery. fish including saithe, butterfish and scorpionfish. descend from the car park of the Eyemouth Holiday An advanced site due to its relative remoteness. Park. Please note that a parking charge applies. 5

St Abbs & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve Committee SACO18593

Get in touch with the

Beach Cafe Berwickshire Marine Reserve Eyemouth Leisure Centre berwickshiremarinereserve.org.uk T 01890 752509

North St Abbs Street berwickshiremarinereserve

High @BerwickshireMR Street Coldingham B6355 Snorkelling equipment can be hired from St Vedas Surf Shop, Coldingham B6438 A1170 Eyemouth Beach stvedas.co.uk Eyemouth MAP: OS Landranger 67, NT943645 T 01890 771679 NEAREST VILLAGE: Eyemouth (0 miles) Eyemouth’s easily accessible beach is perfect for first-time snorkellers, with a gradual walk into the A1 Snorkelling can be dangerous and these sea to spot your first fish. Rockier outcrops to the self-guided trails are used entirely at your north offer advanced snorkellers the chance to spot crabs and squat lobsters in the submerged own risk. It is your responsibility to check rock pools, and seaweed gives shelter for many the conditions present on the day and fish species. The Eyemouth Leisure Centre provides assess whether it is safe to snorkel. changing and showering facilities for a small fee. BMR boundary

Camping Toilets Café The information contained within this leaflet was correct at the Key Beginner Advanced time of publishing (July 2019). For further details, please visit Parking Shop Steps scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/snorkeltrail