Words by Anna Gill Photographs by Simon Hird
The Banffshire Coast is full of undiscovered gems. With beautiful sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, and even a castle built into the rocks, you need to get this area of Aberdeenshire on your bucket list now!
We have really enjoyed spending time exploring the Banffshire Coast. There is a real variety here. While you head up to do some walking, we also recommend taking a mini road trip along the coastline and stopping at different places! Most of the villages are old fishing villages so are often quirky and historically interesting. And to add to these amazing villages, there are interesting spots such as Findlater Castle and abandoned Tarlair Swimming Pool. Given the scenic nature of the coastline, a lot of photographers are also drawn to these locations.
We have put together some of the best walks along the Banffshire Coast, all of which are picturesque and beautiful!
Pennan to Aberdour Bay
Distance: 8.5 miles
Time taken: 3 hours
Parking: Park at the far eastern end of Pennan near the community hall.
Recommend for: Those who want a longer coastal walk.
This out and back route takes you through countryside farm paths that run along the tops of scenic cliffs. Pennan is a quaint fishing village that was made famous by the film Local Hero in the 1980s. You’ll also spot the iconic red telephone box as you walk past the single row of houses. The path then climbs uphill to the farm tracks and along the coastline. Eventually you come down to Aberdour Bay which is a total hidden gem! It features a massive red sandstone sea arch that you can walk through when the tide is out.
Gardenstown to Crovie
Distance: 2.75 miles
Time taken: 1.5 hours
Parking: Public car park in Gardenstown.
Recommend for: Public car park in Gardenstown. An extremely beautiful and scenic walk.
This is a lovely shorter coastal walk between two fishing villages. It’s worth noting that this walk is one for good weather! From Gardenstown, there is a little path just above the water and under the cliffs which wraps around to Crovie. Crovie is a tiny village with only a handful of cottages and no access for cars. After walking along Crovie, there is a path which takes you steeply uphill out the village, and back to Gardenstown along the clifftops.
Cullen to Portknockie
Distance: 5 miles
Time taken: 2 hours
Parking: Car park in Cullen.
Recommend for: A good length walk with options for food and drink nearby.
Cullen to Portknockie is one of the most popular walks along the Banffshire coast! The walk is a circular route which takes you along the sandy beach, out towards the incredible rocks at Portknockie and returns along the old railway line where you get great views. Close to Portknockie, you’ll find Bow Fiddle Rock – one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the area. Cullen is one of the bigger villages along the Banffshire coast and has some good cafes and fish and chip shops if you want a post-walk refreshment.
Findlater Castle
Distance: 3 miles
Time taken: 1.5 hours
Parking: Park in Sandend near the caravan park.
Recommend for: Those who enjoy history and exploring castles.
Beginning in Sandend, this walk takes you to the utterly incredible Findlater Castle. The walk heads along rough grassland and fields above the cliffs towards the castle remains. These remains date back to the 14th Century and are spectacular. There are also some small rocky bays beside the castle you can explore.
Along with the abandoned swimming pool, you can also spend time exploring the amazing rock formations around the spot.3
Tarlair Swimming Pool
Distance: Short wander
Time taken: 30 minutes
Parking: Parking at the end of the road just before you reach the swimming pool.
Recommend for: A short but interesting walk.
The abandoned Tarlair Swimming pool is not so much of a walk but more of a great point of interest to wander round! Give yourself at least half an hour to spend here walking round the pool and rocks. The swimming pool was closed in the 1990s and is now quite an eerie spot. There has been talk of restoration work being carried out, however this has never gone ahead as of yet.
Along with the abandoned swimming pool, you can also spend time exploring the amazing rock formations around the spot.
Banff to Whitehills
Distance: 5 miles
Time taken: 2 hours
Parking: Parking at the end of the road just before you reach the swimming pool.
Recommend for: A relatively flat walk which is a great length.
This walk begins in Banff and passes along the seafront at Boyndie Bay. This stretch of sand is beautiful and often very quiet. You then come up off the beach and walk along to Whitehills which is a nice fishing village. At Whitehills, you can stop at the Galley for some cullen skink. At the end of the village you also pass the Red Well which is a Roman building housing a well. It is said the well contains healing properties!
Where to Eat and Drink on the Banffshire Coast
After your walk, there are some great spots for food and drink! The Banffshire coast is famous for its seafood. And there’s no surprise to that when it is home to so many old fishing villages!
If you have never tried Cullen Skink before, now is your opportunity! The dish is a famous fish chowder which is native to this part of the world. The two best places to try cullen skink are The Galley in Whitehills and Rockpool Cafe in Cullen. However, these places do also have other options for food available if you don’t eat seafood.
If you want a really good chip shop, we recommend Linda’s Fish & Chips in Cullen. There are also some nearby benches overlooking Cullen where you can sit and enjoy the meal if it is a nice day.
The Banffshire coast is also home to the award winning Portsoy Ice Cream. This ice cream parlour is one of the best locally and a great stopping point, especially on a sunny day.
We hope you love this area as much as we do, and enjoy exploring!
Written by Anna Gill
Anna is the founder of the Aberdeenshire Walks social media blog, sharing local walks and encouraging people to get out and explore the places on their doorstep!
