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Geese are set to be the focus of a new festival taking place in Montrose nest month.

Montrose Basin Wildlife Reserve and Visitor Centre welcomes tens of thousands of pink-footed geese every autumn and this year, to celebrate the visitor centre’s 30th anniversary, the trust will be holding a series of goose-themed events and activities entitled Goose Fest.

Among the activities planned are sunset goose watches, a guided walk with Montrose Museum and a taster session with Montrose Coastal Rowing Club that will take place on the Basin itself.

There will also be a range of family activities, including a trail through the town centre made up of hundreds of pink-footed geese which have been coloured in by local primary school pupils.

In addition, the visitor centre is hosting a special 30th anniversary exhibit which highlights key milestones and memories dating back to the centre’s opening in June 1995.

Joanna Peaker, Montrose Visitor Centre Site Manager, said: “Scotland is home to some incredible natural wonders, but the sight and sound of all those geese taking off against the backdrop of a beautiful sunrise is hard to beat.

“Their arrival at the Basin is always the highlight of our year, so building our 30th anniversary celebrations around them seemed like the perfect fit.”

The people of Montrose will be supporting the festival by mimicking the most famous feature of their annual guests.

Organisers are encouraging local schools to get involved, where staff and pupils will be allowed to wear pink socks or shoes.”

Louise Parker, teacher at Southesk Primary School, said: “Having worked closely with the Scottish Wildlife Trust at Montrose Basin for many years, we’re delighted to be involved in Goose Fest.

“All our classes and nursery children will be taking part, colouring in pictures of geese which will be displayed in town.”

Tens of thousands of geese stop off at Montrose Basin each year after breeding in Greenland and Iceland, with the highest recorded total being more than 90,000 in 2016.

The Trust’s work at Montrose Basin, including Goose Fest, is supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery.

Laura Chow, head of charities at the lottery, said: “The spectacle of tens of thousands of geese arriving at Montrose Basin is truly awe-inspiring and a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting our natural world.

“It’s wonderful to see local communities, schools and organisations coming together to mark this unique event, and we hope Goose Fest inspires even more people to connect with nature.”

The Goose Fest will take place between October 1 and October 12.

This article appeared in The Courier on 18 September 2025