Sandford Bay to Cruden Bay (by Bullers of Buchan)

Date/Time

Date(s) - 05/02/2017
9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Walk Details

Pub Stop?: No
O/S Map Sheet No.: 30
Grid Ref. Start: 120 435
Grid Ref. Finish 093 362
Walk (Miles): 9
Walk Hours: 4.5
Bus Time to Walk:1.5 hrs
Bus Time from Walk: 1 hr
Departure time from walk: 3:30 p.m.

Walk Notes

O.S.Map 30 (Fraserburgh).

N.B. 9.00am start from Aberdeen.

The walk today sees your Club back on the North Sea coast, just south of Peterhead to visit the spectacular cliff feature of the “Buller’s of Buchan”. Your Club last did this walk in February 2007. This walk is a through-walk, so members who require a different, or shorter walk, please liaise with your Committee member in charge of the bus today.

The walk commences just south of Peterhead at NGR 120 435, where an unclassified road leaves the main A90 Aberdeen/Peterhead road and heads towards the sea at Sandford Lodge. Pick up a path which follows Furrah Head round to Boddam Harbour skirting the grounds of Peterhead Power Station. From the harbour, a road follows the edge of the village, past the little post office, emerging on to the A90 main road just south of Stirling village. After following this busy main road for a few hundred yards (take care), drop down left and pick up the disused railway trackbed which skirts the cliffs around Long Haven and then returns to the main road on the approaches to Coldwells village. An unclassified road branches off towards the sea and skirts the cliffs around North Haven and onwards to the spectacular “Buller’s of Buchan”. This chasm is known as “the pot” which is a collapsed sea cave allowing the sea to crash in through its narrow entrance – hence its name, from the French word “bouillir” – meaning “to boil”. From here, a clifftop path is then followed (with care) southwards, past Grey Mare rocks, Dunbuy & Twa Havens on your way to the ruin of Slains Castle. It is said that the author, Bram Stoker, whilst staying at the nearby village of Whinnyfold, got his inspiration to write “Dracula” on seeing this castle. From the castle, continue southwards on a good path, to a car park, near Port Erroll, in the outskirts of the village of Cruden Bay, where our bus will be parked (NGR 093 362). King Malcolm 11 and his Scots army defeated the Danes in a battle here in 1012 AD – hence, the name of “Cruden” is said to be derived from the Gaelic “croch dain” – (meaning – slaughter of the Danes).

Walking distance approx. 9 miles

Bus departs at 3.30pm.

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge of the outing should be contacted, if possible, before the police are contacted.

Relevant telephone number for Grampian police is 0845 600 5700 or 999.

Committee member in charge today is Fiona Wallace

Bookings