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Chris Fenn
is one of the UK’s leading nutritionists. 
1. Head north from Aberdeen along the A92 and turn off on the A975 to Newburgh. Drive through the village and past the Ythan estuary on your right. Just after the bridge look for a Parking sign on the right. There are usually plenty of spaces but on a sunny Sunday afternoon it can be quite busy. The information board gives details of the walks but a nice loop is along the path by the woods and, where it forks, bear left over the moors. The grassy four-wheel-drive track leads down to some ghostly poles that were once used to hang fishing nets out to dry. 2. The path winds gently upwards above the seashore and suddenly the coastline comes into view. Even on a dull day, these views are invigorating. Continue past the red walk indicator and on to Hackley Bay. The view is wonderful but follow the well-made stone path down to the sandy beach. If you look back at the cliff face you’ll see nesting gulls. If the tide’s out and there’s no-one else around you may have the whole bay to yourself. I always picnic at the flat rocks dotted along the back of the bay. 3. You can walk across the bay and climb up to the path, which continues along the cliff top to the village of Collieston. Alternatively, turn back up the stone path and retrace your steps to the red walk indicator. At this point, walk towards the cliff edge and pick up a small path that leads down to the beach again. If you kept going, I guess you’d arrive back in Aberdeen — but look for a small pylon on your right. Shortly after this, leave the beach and pick your way over the dunes. The village of Newburgh creates a gentle skyline with Knockhall Castle to the right and the new golf clubhouse. A great bird spot with eider ducks whooping, herons standing guard and oystercatchers darting around. 4. Walk back along the edge of the estuary, avoiding the mud flats, before turning inland to pick up the main path back to the car park.
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Forvie Sands Nature Park, Newburgh, Grampian
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