Explore the Banffshire Coast
Gannets and dolphins. Whisky and lighthouses. Hidden villages and dramatic cliffs. This coast rewards the curious.
People come to Pennan expecting a quiet escape. They leave having discovered one of Scotland's most rewarding stretches of coastline: a place where seabirds number in the tens of thousands, where dolphins hunt in the surf, and where every village tells a different story. The best adventures start from your doorstep.
This coast is a RSPB Special Protection Area for good reason. From mainland Scotland's largest gannet colony to bottlenose dolphins hunting close to shore, the wildlife here is spectacular.
Mainland Scotland's largest gannet colony. Over 3,000 breeding pairs, plus thousands of kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, and puffins. The sight, sound, and smell of 50,000 seabirds is unforgettable.
15 minutes from Pennan • April–August • Free entry
Bottlenose dolphins hunt along the coast. Watch from the harbour or the cliffs.
Often seen lounging on rocks east of the village. Best spotted at low tide.
The Banffshire coast is dotted with villages that time forgot. Fishing communities pressed between cliff and sea, each with its own character. None have more than a few dozen houses. All are worth the winding drive.
Pronounced "crivie." Perhaps even more precarious than Pennan, with houses so close to the sea that winter storms wash against the doors. No cars allowed; residents park at the end and walk. A conservation village of extraordinary character.
5 minutesThe largest of the three cliff villages, tumbling down to a working harbour where fishing boats still land their catch. Good facilities, a pub by the harbour, and the dramatic cliff path to Crovie starts here.
5 minutesOne of Europe's oldest harbours, home to the annual Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (27–29 June 2025). Famous for its serpentine marble and excellent ice cream. The 17th-century harbour is particularly photogenic.
25 minutesFrom a lighthouse built inside a castle to a baroque mansion with a world-class art collection, this corner of Aberdeenshire punches well above its weight.
Kinnaird Head Lighthouse, the first to be built on mainland Scotland, sits inside a 16th-century castle. The museum tells the story of the lights that kept ships safe around Scotland's treacherous coast. Fascinating for all ages.
An underappreciated treasure. This William Adam baroque mansion houses a superb collection of Scottish and European art, including works by Raeburn and Gainsborough. The grounds are perfect for a stroll.
Currently closed for refurbishment until early 2026. When open: a 400,000-litre open-air tank with kelp reef and wave machine, showcasing the marine life of the Moray Firth. Touch pools, feeding times, and oddities like the warty lumpsucker.
Europe's largest shellfish port has stories to tell. Interactive exhibits explore the town's fishing legacy, railway history, and wartime experience. Run by passionate local volunteers.
A dramatic cliff-top ruin that inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. The author stayed nearby in 1895 and the castle's gothic atmosphere found its way into his famous novel. Free to explore, but take care near the edges.
While Speyside gets the crowds, Aberdeenshire has its own cluster of ancient distilleries, the "Secret Malts", producing some of Scotland's finest and rarest whiskies in settings far quieter than their famous neighbours.
Glen Deveron in Macduff is just 15 minutes away, though they don't offer tours. For a proper distillery experience, Glenglassaugh on the coast near Portsoy is worth the drive. Tours are by appointment, and intimate rather than industrial.
The closest distillery to Pennan, producing smooth Highland malts since 1960. Part of the Bacardi group. No public tours, but look for the 10, 12 and 20-year expressions.
Coastal single malts shaped by sea air. Founded 1875, recently revived. Tours by appointment. Intimate and unhurried.
Renowned for rich, sherried malts aged in Spanish oak. Over 200 years of whisky making in the heart of Aberdeenshire.
One of Scotland's oldest distilleries, dating to 1797. Pronounced "Glen Geery." Traditional floor maltings and Highland character.
Whether you want a dramatic clifftop walk, a bracing beach, or world-class surfing, this coast delivers.
The path from Gardenstown to Crovie is one of Scotland's finest short walks: dramatic sea cliffs, wildflowers, and that unforgettable coastal light.
A surfing and kitesurfing hotspot. Even if you're not riding waves, the beach is vast and beautiful. Dolphins often visible from shore.
A hidden gem near Portsoy. Sandy beach, clear water, and excellent rock pooling. Quieter than Fraserburgh.
Our own pebble beach and harbour. Perfect for watching the boats, skimming stones, and contemplating the horizon.
Every season brings something different to this coast.
Seabirds return to Troup Head. Clifftop wildflowers: spring squill, thrift, campion. Migrating birds coming in off the sea.
Peak seabird season: gannets, puffins, guillemots. Best dolphin watching. Portsoy Boat Festival (27–29 June). Long golden evenings.
Seals hauled out on rocks. Autumn storms bring dramatic seas. Fewer visitors, quieter villages. Great walking weather.
Wild seas crash against the harbour. Northern Lights possible on clear nights. Cosy evenings by the fire. The coast at its most dramatic.
Everything on this page is within an hour's drive. Come back to a warm room, a good meal, and the sound of the sea.
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