Formerly known as Ecclesgreig, the village of St Cyrus in southeast Aberdeenshire lies close to the North Sea coast, 4 miles (6 km) north of Montrose. Its earlier name is linked to a chapel that once stood on the site of the Nether Kirkyard to the south of the village, that building last being used in 1632. A centre for agriculture, arts and crafts, St Cyrus is also associated with salmon fishing, the salmon moving along this part of the coast on their way towards the mouth of the River North Esk. St Cyrus National Nature Reserve, which lies between the village and the sea, protects beach, dune, grassland and cliff environments and includes a breeding area for tern immediately south of a visitor centre which is the main access to the reserve.