Buckie and Portgordon: Gollachy circuit

This route, waymarked as the Gollachy Circular, heads along the seafront between the old fishing town of Buckie and its neighbour Portgordon; the return route is slightly inland. Though the route is close to the A990 for most of the way it does avoid the road.

Terrain

Waymarked paths, tracks and streets.

Public Transport

Buckie and Portgordon are both served by bus.

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Start

Cluny Square, Buckie. Map and directions.

grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.75km/5.25 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 87m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NJ425655

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 424 - Buckie
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is parking at Cluny Square in the centre of Buckie. Begin here, taking the road that descends northwards towards the sea, past the impressive war memorial. At the road junction turn left - signed A990 to Portgordon. Once round the bend you can fork to the right, avoiding the main road, and passing through the old fishermans district known as the Yardie, a conservation area. The houses here still have drying greens and clothes lines facing the sea. Follow the lane left to rejoin the main road and turn right to continue along it.

Stage 2

The road crosses the Buckie Burn; beyond this fork right, passing a wooden sign indicating the start of the Speyside Way (a long distance route to Aviemore) on the right. From here our circuit follows the Speyside Way to Portgordon. Fork right again off the tarred lane onto a path nearer the sea. Pass several houses on the seaward side and head between two white posts, continuing until a Speyside Way thistle logo sign indicates where you head back left past a bench and along the main road (to the right) again for a brief distance. Fork right again to pass behind the next group of houses.

Stage 3

Buckpool, the western part of Buckie, is now left behind. Follow the path as it bears left between boulders and then heads straight across a track to reach a derelict house. Continue on the path along the flat coastal area; it eventually rejoins the main road again to pass one house, becoming a path on the right once more just beyond. Keep an eye on the rocky shoreline which is a haunt of both grey and common seals. The path becomes a track at another derelict building and then keeps just to the right of the houses of Portgordon.

Stage 4

At a T-junction go right and then left at the harbour, still home to just a few fishing boats. Continue along the seafront until the main road turns left inland, signed for Keith and Fochabers; leave the sea behind here and turn left with the road. This climbs slightly before a blue sign indicates National Cycle Route number 1, bound for Buckie and heading off to the left. Turn left onto this, following the line of the old Moray coast railway up behind the houses of Portgordon. Go straight across a minor road to continue along the old line.

Stage 5

Further on the cycle route leads under a minor road. Continue, crossing a bridge over the Burn of Gollachy, to reach a signposted junction. Turn right here onto the uphill path, higher up, fork right again at an unmarked junction. The walk now comes alongside a golf course and eventually reaches a minor road. Turn left and now simply follow this road, emerging at a junction on the edge of Buckpool. Go straight ahead here onto a street, with a church visible at the end. Continue to the church and then follow the road which passes it on the right. This crosses the Buckie Burn and continues straight ahead back to Cluny Square and the start.

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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.