Tucked away on the dramatic Berwickshire coastline, St Abbs is one of the most beautiful coastal villages in the Scottish Borders.
Here is how to visit St Abbs.
Top Things to Do in St Abbs
Explore St Abbs Harbour (and New Asgard / Eroda)
The harbour is the heart of the village and one of the prettiest spots on the east coast of Scotland.
Painted fishing cottages, bobbing boats and wide sea views make it a favourite for photographers. It’s also a lovely place to pause with an ice cream or watch the boats come and go.
The village of St Abbs has a thriving fishing harbour, providing a home for six lobster boats who bring in daily catches of lobster and local edible crabs known as Poos!
St Abbs was the filming location for Avengers and was used as Thor’s homeland of New Asgard in Avengers: Endgame. You can visit the St Abbs Head lifeboat station and the ‘fake’ pub – one of the cottages was turned into the sadly fictional the Cormorant and Tun.
St Abbs was also recently used to film Harry Style’s new ‘Adore You’ video
Dis you know? St Abbs used to be called Coldingham Shore. The fishermen used to live in the larger village of Coldingham just up the road until they settled down on the coast and named the village St Abbs, after local 7th saint St Æbbe, in the 1890s.
Walk at St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve
Next to St Abbs village is the St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve (managed by the National Trust for Scotland) where paths run along dramatic cliffs formed by volcanic eruptions.
St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve is one of the best places in Scotland for coastal walking and wildlife watching. The clifftop paths offer panoramic views across the North Sea and, on clear days, you can even see as far as Bass Rock.
In spring and summer, the cliffs come alive with seabirds including puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes. Keep an eye out for seals below the cliffs too.
Take the St Abbs Head Nature Reserve to walk a circular route through the dunes, returning via the pretty Mire Loch. If you can’t face the ups and downs of the cliff walk, there are shorter walks too!
Spot the St Abbs Head seabirds
The St Abbs Head Nature Reserve is home to 50,000 seabirds including guillemots, razorbills, puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars and rare butterflies.
Off the coast is the St. Abbs and Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve which was locally designated to protect these beautifully clear waters from overfishing or scuba diving.
The scuba boats are rather ubiquitous, even in winter, chugging around the rock formations with their human seals diving off occasionally into the water.
See the St Abbs Grey Seals
The St Abbs Head Nature Reserve is home to grey seals and over the winter they pup.
Baby seals can be seen on the beaches at St Abbs Head being fed by their parents before they make their way into the sea.
The paths at St Abbs run pretty close to the baby seals – and they are easily startled, which can lead to their parents abandoning them – so please do not disturb them, cross the barriers or make noisy in the company.
Photograph St Abbs Lighthouse
The most famous sight within the St Abbs Head Nature Reserve is the St Abbs Lighthouse and Foghorn built by Lighthouse Stevensons in 1862.
Walk along the cliff path to Pettico Wick Bay
Take the cliff path north through the St Abbs Head Nature reserve north to the unusually named Pettico Wick Bay, where you can spot the folded rocks and 400 million-year-old pink & purple volcanic lava of the Pettico Wick fault which form ledges for the seabirds.
In the distance, you can see Berwick Law and Bass Rock, and on a very clear day, you can see the volcano to top them all, Arthur’s Seat.
Walk along the Berwickshire Coastal Path
The Berwickshire Coastal Path runs 30 miles from Cockburnspath to Berwick upon Tweed in England, connecting to both the Southern Upland Way to Dumfries and Galloway and to the John Muir Way in East Lothian.
From St Abbs you can walk along the clifftop to Eyemouth via Coldingham Bay or north to the St Abbs Nature Reserve.
Eat crab sandwiches!
The St Abbs Head walk is about a 4-mile round trip, so head back via Mire Loch to one of the St Abbs harbour cafes for an amazing crab sandwich… that’s if I haven’t munched them all.
We had crab sandwiches at Ebb Carr’s Cafe but they are also available at the Old School Cafe and had to the Visitor Centre for a warm welcome and to find out more about the area.
The St Abbs Memorial
On the 14 October 1881, one hundred and eighty-nine fishermen, most from the village of Eyemouth lost their lives off the coast of Berwickshire in a severe storm. Memorials to the disaster by Jill Watson can be found along the coast.
How to get to St Abbs
By Car
Driving is the easiest way to get to St Abbs, especially if you want to explore the surrounding coastline.
- From Edinburgh: approx. 1 hour 45 minutes
- From Berwick-upon-Tweed: approx. 25 minutes
- From Edinburgh Airport: around 2 hours
Car parking at St Abbs Head – available at the harbour (£1 an hour) or the National Trust Car Park (£2, free for members, no time limit) where there a visitor centre and loos.
By Train & Bus
The nearest train station is Berwick-upon-Tweed, with regular services from Edinburgh and Newcastle. From there, local buses run to St Abbs, with Perryman’s bus, the 253 runs from Edinburgh to St Abbs and Coldingham and the 235 from Berwick.
By Bike or on Foot
St Abbs is also accessible via the Berwickshire Coastal Path, making it a fantastic stop for long-distance walkers and cyclists exploring the east coast.
Best time to visit St Abbs & wildlife calendar
Spring (March – May)
Spring is one of the best times to visit. Wildflowers bloom along the clifftops, and seabirds begin returning to nest. Walking conditions are excellent, with fewer visitors than in summer.
Wildlife highlights:
- Puffins, razorbills, guillemots returning
- Grey seals visible offshore
Summer (June – August)
Summer brings longer days, warmer weather and peak wildlife activity. The cliffs at St Abbs Head are alive with birds, and the sea often sparkles in the sunlight.
This is the busiest time of year, especially on weekends, but it’s also when St Abbs is at its most vibrant.
Wildlife highlights:
- Seabird colonies at full strength
- Seal pups often spotted in late summer
- Excellent conditions for snorkelling and diving
Autumn (September – October)
Autumn is quieter and wonderfully atmospheric. The light softens, crowds thin out and the coastline feels wild and dramatic.
Wildlife highlights:
- Migrating birds
- Seals still visible along the coast
Winter (November – February)
Winter brings solitude and raw coastal beauty. While wildlife is quieter, it’s a magical time for photographers and those who enjoy peaceful coastal walks — just dress warmly and check weather conditions.
Nearby Places to Visit from St Abbs
Coldingham Bay
Just a few minutes’ drive away, Coldingham Bay is one of the best beaches in the Scottish Borders. A wide sandy bay backed by dunes, it’s popular with surfers, walkers and families. The coastal walk between St Abbs and Coldingham is especially scenic.
Eyemouth
Around 15 minutes north of St Abbs, Eyemouth is a lively harbour town with shops, cafés and a strong fishing heritage. It’s a great place for a meal, coastal walks or learning more about the area’s maritime history.
Berwickshire Coastal Villages
If you have more time, continue exploring the quieter villages dotted along the coast. Each offers its own character, sea views and walking opportunities — perfect for a slow, scenic road trip.
St Abbs FAQs
Is St Abbs worth visiting?
Yes — St Abbs is one of the most scenic places on the Scottish Borders coast. It’s known for its colourful harbour, dramatic clifftop walks, and wildlife.
How long do you need in St Abbs?
You can see the highlights of St Abbs in half a day, but a full day allows time for coastal walks, wildlife watching and exploring nearby beaches like Coldingham Bay.
What wildlife can you see at St Abbs?
St Abbs is famous for seabirds and marine life. Depending on the season, you may see puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and grey seals along the coastline, especially at St Abbs Head Nature Reserve.
When is the best time to visit St Abbs?
The best time to visit St Abbs is spring and summer (April–August) when seabirds are nesting and walking conditions are at their best. Autumn is quieter and atmospheric, while winter offers dramatic coastal scenery with fewer visitors – but you will spot the seals breeding on the beaches.
Can you visit St Abbs without a car?
Yes, but it’s easier with a car. St Abbs can be reached by train to Berwick-upon-Tweed followed by a local bus, though services are limited. Driving offers more flexibility to explore the surrounding coastline.
Is St Abbs good for walking?
Absolutely. St Abbs is one of the best places in the Scottish Borders for coastal walking, with well-marked clifftop paths, gentle village walks and access to the Berwickshire Coastal Path.
Is St Abbs suitable for families?
Yes. Families enjoy the harbour, short coastal walks and nearby Coldingham Bay beach. However, clifftop paths are unfenced in places, so young children should be supervised closely.
Love from, Scotland x
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Melissa Abbs
Monday 13th of March 2023
Our last name is ABBS. We are planning a trip now to bring our 4 kids to their namesake town.
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