Loch of Strathbeg

The Loch of Strathbeg is a shallow freshwater loch on the coast of Buchan in Aberdeenshire. It lies within the parishes of Lonmay and Crimond. The loch was once an inlet of the sea, protected by a shingle bar. A channel at its east end once gave access to the port of Rattray. The channel began to silt up in the 17th century, and a storm around 1720 sealed it completely. The loch is a designated special protection area because of its importance to birdlife. It is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which operates a visitor centre at Starnafin. In winter, at least 20,000 birds visit the loch. These include pink-footed geese, whooper swans, and teals. The loch’s birdlife draws visitors throughout the year. A ruined windmill on the shore and a drainage channel linking the loch to the sea remain from 18th-century attempts to drain it. During the First World War, the loch served as a seaplane base. The disused aerodrome on its shore dates from the Second World War. The visitor centre at Starnafin provides a starting point for exploring the loch and its surroundings. The flat paths around the loch offer easy access to views of the water and the birds.