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MARYHILL LOG CABINS
Maryhill Farm
Drybridge, BUCKIE
AB56 5JB
Grampian, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1542 834999
Email: info@maryhill-logcabins.com
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Enquire
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Most of the Banffshire and Moray Coastline, from
Findhorn in the west to Troup Head in the east, is accessible and
provides grand walks. However, certain parts are quite outstanding
and the opportunity to explore them should not be missed. Rather
than detail individual walks, I will highlight a particular area,
advise on access points, and mention “must see” places or spots
to explore. All the following are within easy range for ˝ day or
full day trips, and in fine weather there are numerous hidden coves,
beaches, and rock pools to while away the day. |
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| To the West |
| Findhorn to Burghhead |
OS maps27 & 28 |
Up to 6 –7 miles of mostly sandy beach!
Access Points :-
Findhorn Village: Follow signs for Beach Car Parks. Then head east along the shore or across the dunes. This lovely sailing village has an interesting history, some excellent pubs and places of interest. Half a mile before the village, on the right hand side lies the Findhorn Foundation. This community, which encourages environmentally friendly lifestyles, attracts followers from across the globe. It is worth a stopover to visit their organic shop and café, theatre and to see their “eco village”.
Roseisle Picnic Area: Well signposted off the B9089 Kinloss to Burghead road. This excellent Forest Enterprise facility, situated halfway along the bay, has picnic areas, BBQ stands and toilets. It is extremely well sheltered by trees and the dunes and is worth a visit when most other places are too exposed. Many walks, beach and forest, in all directions. There is a parking charge.
Burghead: Drive into town and turn left signposted Caravan Park. Parking provided. This is the end of the beach walk, or the start, if you wish to walk westerly. Burghead was a busy fishing port, and was the main exporting point for the vast amounts of grain produced in the fertile Laich O` Moray.
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| Hopeman to Lossiemouth |
OS map 28 |
Approximately 7 miles of rocky coves, caves, sandstone cliffs, small sandy beaches, sand dunes and rock pools.
Access Points :-
Hopeman Village: on the B9040 - follow sign to the harbour where one can park, drink in the atmosphere and take a stroll, or turn right just before the harbour and follow through to the beach car parks.
One of my, and my grandchildren’s absolutely favourite walks is to head east from here following the well defined main track (with many side tracks leading to all sorts of fun and interesting things), mostly following the shoreline, then climbing up by the side of the golf course. Roughly 1 mile. Suddenly you are overlooking the fabulous Hopeman Cove or Primrose Bay as it is sometimes known ( though personally I think the next cove ˝ mile further on is actually Primrose Bay, principally because they only seem to grow there!) This Cornish style cove has it all. Caves, tunnels, safe rock scrambling and climbing, safe swimming, sand slides, and when the tide is out, which is the best time to visit, amazing rock pools and pot holes full of colour and sea life. By climbing out of the cove and continuing eastwards, one immediately arrives at the Clasach Quarry, from where the sandstone for the exterior of the Museum of Scotland, and many other major projects was quarried. At the entrance there is an interesting display of fossil stones and signs of dinosaur activity which have been uncovered by the quarrymen.
The remainder of this stretch mostly follows the top of the cliffs with lots of diversions down to the numerous coves.
Other access points:-Most tracks leading off towards the sea from the B9040 access the sea, though it can be a bit of a hike in places. The area beyond Covesea, which is about 1 mile west of Covesea Lighthouse, is particularly rich in caves, though one needs to be quite agile to access some of these places. A torch is useful if you intend venturing into these caves.
From Lossiemouth: Take the road that drops down behind the Moray Golf Clubhouse that leads to the West Beach Car Parks. From there head west along the beach towards Covesea Lighthouse.
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| Lossiemouth to Kingston |
OS map 28 |
| To access this shoreline it is necessary to cross the pedestrian wooden bridge from the East Beach Car Park over the River Lossie. One arrives on a splendid dune beach, which makes for a pleasant ˝ hour excursion. Beyond the dune area the shore turns to shingle and a track does run all the way between the sea and the forest for over 6 miles. While it is a very pleasant walk, I would only consider doing it after completing all the others. The Kingston end is of more interest and is covered in the next walk.
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| Kingston, the Leins, and Binn Hill |
OS map 28 |
Drive through Fochabers on A98 to Mosstodloch. Turn right onto B9015 to Garmouth. Continue into Kingston and follow main route through village until you reach the car park behind the shingle bank. Walks along the shore track to the west as far as Lossiemouth for the energetic (6 miles each way at least) or east along the shingle beach to the mouth of the Spey - (30 minutes). Good chance of seeing dolphins along this stretch in the season. Many walks in the Leins, which is now a nature reserve preserving the abundance of flora and fauna. Rising steeply behind this area is the Binn Hill, which is worth the effort of reaching the top for the exceptional views.
The Binn Hill can be accessed more easily from the Kingston – Lochills road just after Fernyfield Farm. Very worthwhile 1hour walk, especially in midsummer with the prospect of a spectacular sunset.
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| Strathlene, Findochty and Portknockie |
OS map 28 |
I include this area, as it is nearest to the cabins and makes for a very pleasant evening walk on a summers night.
Take the A942 eastwards out of Buckie and as the houses finish, and just beyond the Caravan Park, turn left into Strathlene parking area. Follow the track round the coast to the East. This route can be accessed at both Findochty and Portknockie and eventually lands up on Cullen Beach.
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| Cullen to Findlater Castle |
OS map 29 |
| Portsoy, Whitehills, Banff, MacDuff, Gardenstown and Pennan |
OS map 29 |
| No proper coastal path exists between all these
places, but with a good map it is exciting to find all the headlands
and coves that abound with bird life, and which radiate from these
towns and villages and points in between. Most of the above townships
will be covered under Places of Interest.
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