Tag: Coastal trail

Aberdeenshire Walks, Latest Blog, Places to Walk

Exploring Portsoy

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This is a great walk exploring round the sights of Portsoy! Nothing too taxing just a stroll round seeing some of the sights!

Distance: 2 1/4 miles Time: 1hr Terrain: Mix of grass path, pavement and tarred road Access: Arrive by car and head for the The Sail Loft, AB45 2RQ there is parking spaces between the Sail loft and the beach area. There are regular no 35 Stagecoach buses that drop off in the Main Street.

Route: Leaving the car park head towards the bridge and take the road on the left towards the graveyard. At the graveyard you will see a path that skirts round the edge of the graveyard to the side of the burn. Walk along the grass path till you reach the bridge. Head to the right here and keep going.

At the next fork take the path to the right and you will come to a great view of the Sail loft, beach and the opening of St Combs well. Keep going till you get to the silver gate where you can go and check out the well!

St Combs well is said to be first built in the 7th Century. The well 2ft diameter, and still flowing, is now covered by a stone cupola with an arched entrance. It was restored in 1893.

St Combs well

Back on the path head down the steps and back towards the caravan park. Follow the road along past the front of the caravan park. Keep going past the Salmon bothy till you reach the new harbour. Take a left at the harbour along to the old harbour and the dolphin sculpture.

Old Harbour

Once you have explored the harbour area walk up North High Street till you get to the square and then along South High Street till you get to Main Street. From here cross over and head for the sign post for Loch of Soy.

Once through the carpark take the path round the Loch keeping your eyes pealed for paddling ducks and swans. Don’t forget to check out the wooden building beside the Loch that used to be the old railway station building now used as the Scout Hut.

Loch of Soy

Once round the Loch go back out the carpark and take a wander along the Main Street checking out some of the lovely shops or have some Portsoy Ice-cream. You will come to the signs for the Caravan park follow the signs and return to the start.

Latest Blog, Moray Walks, Places to Walk

Speybay – River Spey Viaduct Circuit

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Distance: 2 miles Time: 1 hr Level: Easy Terrain: Good path, pavement and road Access: Arrive by car there is plenty of parking at the Speybay dolphin centre IV32 7PJ (donations for parking)

This is a fab short circuit walk from Speybay via the Spey viaduct. The walk is all on the flat with a good path so family and buggy friendly!

Route: From the car park head for the information board and you will see the path to the left that runs along the side of the river. Head along the path over the wooded footbridge and keep going!

You will follow this path all the way along till you come a 4 way junction. Take the road to the right just before the sign to take you along to the banks of the river and to get a great view of the viaduct.

To return back to Speybay. Go back to the junction and take the track that takes you to the main road. When you get to the main road cross the road on the the pavement and take a left back towards Speybay.

Once you are back to Speybay take a left at the Bay golf club and head back to the carpark.

Aberdeenshire Walks, Latest Blog, Places to Walk

Walk to Findlater Castle

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Findlater is a ruined castle in Aberdeenshire and only a couple miles from Cullen. It is the old seat of the Earls of Findlater and Seafield, sitting on a 50 foot-high cliff overlooking the Moray Firth.

Distance: 1 mile Time: 1hr Level: Easy but may be more difficult if the path is muddy some elevation. Terrain: Grass track and narrow possibly muddy path. Access: Arrive by car heading east from Cullen on the A98 turn left up road sign posted to Findlater Castle. The road takes a sharp corner to the right then take the next left after the first house. Take a left at the house and there is parking round the back of the large barns. Postcode is AB45 2UD. Please keep dogs on leads at all time.

Route: Once parked take the track to the right past the back of the barns. The track will turn left, keep going till you come to the junction.

Round Doocot or Dovecot next to a ploughed field
Findlater Doocot

You can take a left at the junction to head along to the Findlater Doocot or head straight on to the Castle.

View of ruined castle in the cliffs with beach to left hand side
Findlater Castle from view point

There is a fab viewing area which if you don’t want to go any further you can get a great view and some cracking photos.

Castle ruins with sea to left hand side

Carefully take the path down to watching where you walk and explore the area.

Door way of ruined castle with coastal view

Why don’t you finish off with a visit to the stoney beach to the side for the full Findlater experience.

View of castle from the beach
Findlater from the beach
Latest Blog, Moray Walks, Places to Walk

Walk to the Kingston beach hut

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Kingston drift wood hut was built by the locals and is an amazing place to visit. There is something added to it every time I visit!

Distance: 1 1/2 miles Time: 1hr Level: Easy Terrain: Grass track and pebble beach Access: Arrive by car, parking is available at corner Kingston road and Beach road. There is a no 34 Stagecoach bus from Elgin.

Route: This is a fantastic short walk leaving from the car park take the track to the left that runs past the back of the houses. Follow the track right along and it will narrow down to a path.

Estuary area at Kingston
Kingston

Keep a look out for the ducks paddling in the water to your right.

When you get to the play park turn left and head back towards the beach hut. It is pebbles all the way so not the easiest to walk on so wear good footwear.

Shingle beach with blue skies

When you get to the beach hut make sure you explore it inside and outside and see if you find the visitor book. Please be respectful while you are there the locals after spent a lot of time and effort to build the hut,

Large beach hut made with drift wood
Kingston beach hut
View of shingle beach out the beach hut window

After exploring the area return the same way as you came.

Aberdeenshire Walks, Places to Walk

Portsoy and Sandend circular

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This beautiful walk takes in the old harbour that dates back to 1693 that has been recently used for a film set for Peaky Blinders and Whisky Galore. You will explore the coastal path that runs along past the cliffs between Portsoy and Sandend with many paths that branch to do yuor own exploring before arriving at the stunning Sandend beach and returning along a quiet country lane with coastal views.

Distance: 5 miles Time: 2hrs Level: Easy with some elevation Terrain: Tarred road, pavements, coastal trail paths and beach Access: Arrive by car, there is plenty of parking avalible in the The Square, Portsoy, AB45 2NX The No35 service bus runs between Elgin and Aberdeen and drops off on Seafield Street only a short walk along South High Street to the start of the walk.

Route: At the square head down North High Street past the Boyne Hotel till you come to the Old Harbour. This is a great chance to have a look around with some fabulous photo opportunities. Head over to the left of the harbour where you will find the stunning bottlenose dolphin statue that was made by local artist Carn Standing.

Next to the statue you will find the ruined remains of a cottage that has a lovely view out the window.

To the left of the ruin there is a narrow path where you can skirt round the wee hill or go up the top to get a great view of Portsoy.

Carry down the narrow path which will take you to a small yard, follow the path towards the houses where you will find a waymarker post for the coastal trail.

The path will skirt past the houses till you finally leave Portsoy and into the countryside.

Not long after you leave the town, Portsoy Lido the disused outdoor pool will come into view. The lido was opened in 1936 and was in use until it closed in 2001.

Just after the Lido there is a short stretch on a narrow country lane so be careful there maybe cars here.

The very well-marked path carries on along the coastline with plenty of paths off to the side if you are keen to look for seabirds along the cliffs. You will reach Redhythe Point where there are remains of a building which would have been part of a WW2 rifle range that was once there.

After Redhythe Point the coastal path winds along the edge of the cliffs you can choose to stick to the main path or explore the narrower paths closer to the shoreline. You will come to a grassy track with heather at each side on the left in the not too far distance you will see a vehicle barrier (that is your return route).

Turn right to pass the bay with the ruined house.

Once past the small bay you will come to a gate. go through it and down the steep path and on to the steps to Sandend beach.

At the end of the beach you will find a WW2 pillbox along with other remains from the war which can be found in several areas around Aberdeenshire and Moray.

You could stop for a picnic here and walk along the beautiful sandy beach or even explore Sandend more before returning back up the steps and the steep path and through the gate. Once past the small bay head to the right towards the vehicle barrier. Once past the barrier head straight on past the big house on your right.

Continue straight along the country lane. You will have some great views of the coast and Portsoy as you are walking back. Once you arrive in Portsoy you will go along the street named Park Crescent which then goes on Cullen Street before heading straight back to the square where you began. There are some lovely wee shops and cafes in Portsoy if you have plenty of time they are worth a look.