Sandend and Findlater Castle

Visit Findlater Castle and the fascinating medieval dovecot on this coastal circuit from the tiny fishing village of Sandend.

Terrain

Rough coastal path, a little overgrown in places. Return route is on country lanes.

Public Transport

Regular bus service (305) to Sandend along Inverness - Aberdeen route.

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Start

Sandend. Map and directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5km/3 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 84m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NJ554663

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a car park near the caravan park in the inland part of Sandend - there is car parking at the Barns of Findlater later in the walk. The lower end of Sandend is a very attractive little place, with a harbour at the end of the road and a large sandy beach. Start by walking along the road towards the harbour. The path begins up a drive - signed 'Coastal Footpath to Sunnyside Beach' - but only on the south side of the sign! The drive climbs up behind a house; it leads to a modern house above but a small sign indicates the start of the path which goes off to the right.

Stage 2

There are good views over the rooftops of Sandend as the narrow path cuts round a steep grassy slope before reaching a stile. Cross this and continue between two fences until a second stile. The path can be muddy and a little overgrown but the route is usually fairly clear as it runs through the rough grassland above the coastal cliffs.

Stage 3

It keeps to the seaward side of the field fence before eventually switching and continuing along the field edge for a time before heading back onto the coastal side. There are good views of the rocky coast below, and soon Findlater Castle comes into view down on the right on a rocky promontory. The castle dates from the end of the fourteenth century and replaces an earlier structure; there is a faint path down to it but being perched dangerously on the edge of the cliffs the ruins are probably best appreciated from the viewpoint above. It is possible to extend the walk from Findlater Castle through to Cullen in Moray or even beyond. Otherwise, turn left on the grassy path heading inland.

Stage 4

The strange whitewashed building in the field can be visited using a path which goes off to the right. This fascinating structure dates back to the sixteenth century and houses seven hundred stone nestboxes arranged in tapering tiers towards the apex. The doves were used both for their droppings - which collected from the floor - and their young, 'peezers' in Scots. These were gathered at night after the exits from the dovecot were closed - you can only imagine the commotion inside - and were used in pies and stews.

Stage 5

Return to the main path which leads up to the derelict barnyards of Findlater where there is a parking area. Follow the lane as it heads left and then right and eventually meets a minor road. Turn left here to follow the road to Sandend.

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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.