Banff and Whitehills circuit

This almost level walk includes a lovely beach section followed by rocky shoreline renowned for its seabirds and seals and then a visit to Whitehills before looping back to rejoin the outward route.

Terrain

Shared cycle track, beach, track and minor road.

Public Transport

Banff is served by regular buses on Inverness - Aberdeen route

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Start

Banff Harbour car park. Map and directions.

grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km/5 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 44m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NJ688647

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Explorers 425 and 426
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The harbour car park, near the north pier in Banff, is signed from the main street, turn left off the A98 if approaching Banff from the east. From here head west along the sea wall away from the harbour. Soon the row of cottages at Scotstown come into view and the rocks known as the Babes can be seen at low tides. Immediately after the last cottage turn left and go under the old railway and climb up onto it and continue heading west towards the beach at Boyndie Bay.

Stage 2

The old railway line is now part of the Sustrans national cycle network, continue along it until the car park is reached. Descend here and follow the path across the grass to the beach. At the concrete stairs head onto the sands, unless the tide is very high when it is possible to continue through the campsite instead. The blue-roofed pavilions hark back to a bye-gone age when Banff was a popular resort and wealthy town in itself.

Stage 3

At the far end of the campsite come up off the beach and cross the end of the campsite to cross a bridge over a stream. Turn right after the bridge to follow a track along the shore. The next section is rocky and can be a good place to spot seabirds and sometimes seals. When a parking area is reached, the Red Well can be seen just up the hill (this is visited on the return route). Cross the road and continue along the shore.

Stage 4

The road soon reaches a caravan park and follows the shore side of it and passes the old harbour at Blackpots. Once the site of a brick and tile works, drainage pipes, bricks and roofing tiles were produced from the distinctive red clay from 1766 to 1974 when the works closed and the caravan park opened on the same spot. Today pieces of red brick can often be found on the beaches along the coast. Follow the road around Knock Head.

Stage 5

The harbour at Whitehills is soon reached, now housing a modern marina but once home to a busy fishing fleet. Fish is still big business here as can be seen from the size of Downies fish factory and shop. Just before Downies is reached turn left uphill and then take the second on the left into Loch Street, passing the public toilets and a shop.

Stage 6

Follow the road past the houses on the left. Once opposite the end of the playing field on the right turn down the small road just before the end of the speed limit sign. Soon the road reaches the Red Well, a Roman building housing a well said to contain healing properties. At the bottom of the road turn right to retrace your steps along the track and then beach back to the harbour at Banff.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.