Our Favourite Banffshire Beauty Spots
Luscious green hills, sprawling woodlands and miles and miles of stunning countryside as far as the eye can see…Banffshire is a photographer’s paradise! We are so lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and particularly at this time of year, we love sratring, interupting or finishing the day by putting on our trainers, hitting the open road and recharging our souls at our favourite spaces. Bring your friends, pack a picnic or go solo with your furry friend and discover our favourite happy places around beautiful Banffshire.
Castleton Bridge, King Edward
This is a relatively new discovery for me purely by chance driving along one of my favourite roads to Banff and it has fast become one of my favourite places to spend time.
The original Castleton Bridge dates back to the late 1700’s and is one of three insta-worthy bridges which once formed the now defunct Banffshire railway line (which is another brilliant walk in itself). Follow our what3words pins and drive along the A947, turning off up the road signposted “Luncarty” and find the small picnic area where you can park your car (on the road signposted Luncarty). Just a short walk across busy A947 beholds a lusicous valley oasis teaming with peaceful nature and scenic walks, and a gentle stream flowing through the gentle forest which is home to hundreds of small singing birds, roe deer and squirrels.
A relatively simple walk to navigate, you could easily spend an afternoon here with your book, easel or even bring a picnic and enjoy the tranquil sounds of the water and surrounding scenery.
what3words:
Carpark - gala.fizzy.refills
Beginning of the walk - enjoyable.guarded.untruth
///colder.kinder.lunching
2. Sandend, Sunnyside and Findlater Castle
Jump in the car and you’ll reach the stunning Banffshire Coastline in less than 15 minutes, discover crystal blue waters and dramatic cliffs of the Moray Firth. Sandend is one of my favourite places to take a friend or go for some quiet time by the sea and find inspiration in the rocks.
If you’re keen on watersports or wild swimming, Sandend’s shallow harbour and gentle coastline is the perfect place to bathe, paddle or even take your furry friend for a refreshing splash around, while the historic ruins of Findlater Castle offer magnificent cliffside views and prime seabird spotting vistas.
The Moray Firth stretches across as far as the eye can sea, and it's not uncommon to spot dolphins or whales here on a clear day. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can even walk along Sunnyside beach and hike as far as the thriving town of Cullen, home of Cullen Skink and many small shops and cafe’s.
Don’t forget to stop by Portsoy for an Ice Cream or Whitehills for an iconic fish and chip supper on the way home!
what3words - ///napkins.owned.uproot
3. Fall of Linn, Aberlour
Charlestown of Aberlour (or more simply Aberlour) is a thriving village resting at the feet of the Cairngorms and a fantastic place to spend a day.
Park up on the edge of town near the distillery, and find the footpath along the banks of the mighty River Spey, before cutting across on to the immaculately preserved high street. There are many proudly independent shops, grocers, boutiques and butcheries to enjoy, including the Spey Larder which is the ideal place to stop in by for some culinary inspiration, and not forgetting that Aberlour is home to another famous export – Walker’s Shortbread.
Cross the footbridge across the Distillery stream and head into the woods behind (you’ll pass by a cute flock of sheep on the way). Following the crescendo of water through sunlit woodland, you will eventually happen upon the Linn falls. Although not the largest falls in the world, the route itself if exceptionally picturesque and the splash pool is ideal place to relax by the gentle splash pool, wander through majestic pine trees or enjoy a spot of wild swimming in the summer months.
what3words - ///ourselves.performed.agreeing
4. The River Deveron (at Mayen or beyond!)
Studies show that you need to see water for at least two hours per week for our mental health and wellbeing, and the River Deveron at Mayen is dotted with many stunning spots to admire and nature trails to stroll along including our famous Footbridge.
During the Summer months, the Deveron is a popular destination for kayaking, wild swimming and angling, although my favourite thing to do is pack up a delicious picnic, find a hidden sandy bay along the banks and enjoy nature at it’s finest, with leaping salmon, playful Otters, mighty birds of Prey and many other forms of nature which will leave your mind feeling fresh and inspired.
We are so lucky to have our very own stretch of the Deveron here at Mayen, however there are also several other beautiful pathways and walks along the river and one for the itinerary is the walk from Duff House to the Bridge of Alvah. This tree covered path starts at the Historic Duff House which has stood proudly near the Deveron since 1740. Along the way to the fairytale bridge, look out for an ice house, mausoleum and red squirrels!
Duff House - ///reclined.smooth.honestly
Bridge of Alvah - ///smirks.customers.toolkit
5. Cullykhan Beach
Nestled between Pennan and Gardenstown, the crescent shaped Cullykhan Bay is relatively hidden from the world and lies between a cluster of small bays and a nearby RSPB bird sanctuary, with many hidden caves, carved rock faces and rock pools to explore.
Cullykhan is my favourite “miracle morning” place to recharge with a coffee after the gym and watch the sun rise across the lagoon pools before the rest of the world comes to life, and it’s also one of my favourite places to go for a wild dip thanks to its shallow gentle waters.
During the darker nights, the clifftops (which were once the site of Fort Fiddes dating back to the Bronze Age) offer fantastic opportunities to spot the Northern Lights, and the neighbouring Millshore Beach hosts the Millshore Pottery, where you can browse their handcrafted ceramics or grab coffee and ice cream.
If you get the chance to, the road along the coast is one of the most scenic routes in Aberdeenshire where the farming and fishing landscapes come together with several villages and coves along the way, with Crovie and Gardenstown on the west hand coast, and New Aberdour, Strichen and Pennan on the East.
Cullykhan Beach - ///producing.meaty.haven