Public Use of the Coast: Visits to Coastal Attractions

From the Scotland Visitor Survey 2023, the top three reasons for choosing to visit Scotland was the scenery and landscape, the history and culture, and the outdoor activities available (VisitScotland, 2024). Visiting coastal attractions can influence the publics knowledge, awareness and behaviour around the coast and ocean. The East Grampian Coasts boasts a number of coastal attractions, froms castles to harbours to museums. 

When considering coastal recreation, 22% of respondents to a Scottish Government survey had visited a coastal heritage site, 21% undertook sea/coastal bird/wildlife watching, and 7% had visited a marine-themed attraction (Scottish Government, 2022). Amongst the top five attractions or activities undertaken/visited in Aberdeen in 2023:

• 52% visited a museum or art gallery 
• 47% viewed architecture and buildings
• 36% visited a cathedral, church, abbey, or other place of worship
• 33% visited a castle or fort

Amongst the top five attractions or activities undertaken/visited in Aberdeenshire in 2023:

• 48% visited a castle or fort
• 44% visited a museum or art gallery
• 33% viewed architecture and buildings
• 31% undertook a hill walk, mountaineering, hike or ramble

There are no official visitor numbers available for a number of coastal attractions (such as museums and art galleries), however in 2024 Dunnottar Castle had over 126,000 visitors (Sellors, 2025). It is clear that certain coastal attractions can be a draw for people accessing and utilising the coast.

Studies have shown that experiential learning can be beneficial for adopting new environmental behaviours, especially if the experience comes with a period of reflection afterwards (Ballantyne et al, 2011). Coastal attractions can act as an 'entry point' for engaging visitors with the coastal environment, with visits to the marine environment shown to increase marine awareness and education (Schubel et al, 2009; Wyles et al, 2014).