Coastal Escapes in Aberdeenshire

The Aberdeenshire coastline offers the perfect escape for a fun day trip or a relaxing weekend getaway. Stretching 165 miles from Stonehaven to Cullen, this stunning shoreline is dotted with charming harbour villages, dramatic cliffs and peaceful beaches.

Clinging to a narrow ledge between cliffs and the sea, Crovie is one of Scotland’s most distinctive coastal villages. With only a single row of houses leaving just enough room for a footpath, Crovie is the only village in the UK where it is impossible to drive your car!

From hidden gems to well-loved favourites, here are some spots we think you’ll love to visit.

Collieston

Set around a small picturesque harbour, Collieston is a small community tucked into a sheltered bay between Newburgh and Cruden Bay.

Established in the 1500s, Collieston thrived as a fishing village during the 16th and 17th century becoming famed for its ‘Collieston Speldings’ (salted, sun-dried fish once sold throughout the UK). By the late 1700s, the region gained notoriety for smuggling, with contraband hidden in the nearby caves and coves.

Today, the breakwaters built to protect fishing boats has inadvertently formed a sheltered golden beach that is ideal for families. Just north of the village is Forvie National Nature Reserve, an extensive area of large sand dunes popular for walking and birdwatching.

Cruden Bay

Cruden Bay is a settlement found on the northern end of a long pink sandy beach – often praised as being one of Scotland’s best! Next to the beach is an excellent 18-hole golf course consistently ranked within the top 100 worldwide.

Cruden Bay is a good base for exploring the surrounding coastline. A short 1km walk from the village leads to the striking ruins of Slains Castle, said to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Also, less than 2 miles north of the village is the Bullers of Buchan – an impressive stretch of cliff scenery with a large collapsed sea cave.

With a charming harbour, a lovely beach and a good selection of shops and places to eat, Cruden Bay is the perfect place for a day out.

Crovie

Clinging to a narrow ledge between cliffs and the sea, Crovie (pronounced Crivvie) is one of Scotland’s most distinctive coastal villages. With only a single row of houses leaving just enough room for a footpath, Crovie is the only village in the UK where it is impossible to drive your car!

Founded in the 1700s by families displaced during the Highland Clearances, Crovie was once a busy fishing community until a devastating storm in 1953 ended its commercial activity. The village has remained mostly untouched since then, making it feel as though you are stepping back in time.

Crovie is a peaceful place to wander or admire from the car park and viewpoint on the cliffs above, with panoramic views across the North Sea.

Gardenstown

Situated just along from Crovie, Gardenstown (known locally as Gamrie) is charming cliffside village established in 1720 also as a fishing port. The village has evolved into a hub for artists with a selection of art galleries and craft workshops to visit.

Over the years, Gardenstown has expanded vertically from its historic harbour. Steep roads wind up the hillside into newer developments offering spectacular sea views.

Be sure to visit the small yet fascinating heritage centre to learn more about the area’s history. There are also lovely coastal walks to discover, including a clifftop path linking Gardenstown to Crovie.

Pennan

Similar to Crovie, Pennan is another tiny village consisting of a single row of whitewashed cottages nestled between cliffs and the sea.

Pennan rose to fame in the 1980s as the filming location for ‘Local Hero’ and the iconic red telephone box, which featured heavily in the movie, remains a popular photo opportunity for visitors.

Beyond its cinematic charm, the village is a peaceful retreat with a welcoming inn, a small and quirky coffee shack as well as an art gallery. There are also great opportunities for wildlife spotting here, with dolphins and grey seals often seen nearby.

Portsoy

Located between Cullen and Banff, Portsoy is one of the oldest harbours along Aberdeenshire’s north coast, dating back to 1550!

The village is perhaps best known for hosting the annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors with restored sailing vessels, food and craft stalls, live music and entertainment.

For a small village, Portsoy has a great range of shops and places to eat. Visitors can enjoy a scoop of its award-winning ice cream, stroll along one of its two harbours or visit the Salmon Bothy Museum to discover more about Portsoy’s maritime history.

By Amy Leith
Born and raised in Aberdeen with an admiration for Orkney and Shetland, loves to travel and visit new places, enjoys cooking, always listening to music, spends a little too much time on TikTok.

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