Inverallochy is an eighteenth century former fishing village; the walk heads from the harbour through the village and continues across the fine sands of Whitelinks Bay before returning behind the golf course.
Bog Factor
Country lanes, dune path and sandy beach.
Harbour parking area, Cairnbulg by Inverallochy.
Bus to Inverallochy from Fraserburgh.
NK034655
The shore front of Inverallochy is packed with cottages, gable-on to the sea; there is no formal car park so if driving, it's best to follow the sea front road to the north until Cairnbulg harbour where there is plentiful parking. Return along the road, passing the Lookout House and keeping to the waterfront of Inverallochy, keeping left onto Shore Street.
On the right are the cottages, whilst the grassy strip on the left is packed with washing lines, taking advantage of the fresh north sea breezes. The walk passes a fine modern memorial sculpture to those 'Lost at sea'.
Further on, at one junction look out for a tiny pan-tiled, whitewashed cottage just visible off to the right; this is Maggie's Hoosie, the sole remaining old fishermen's cottage of its kind. It was lived in until the 1950s and is now a small museum. Return to the seafront and continue to the far end of Inverallochy. When the road turns right continue ahead next to the sea on a track aiming for a single building ahead.
Pass the building and continue on the track beyond a turning area soon passing a golf tee. After this the track narrows to a grassy path between the golf course and the sea. At the steps head down onto the pebbly foreshore (at high tide or if you prefer you can continue along the dune path for a short while and then take a steeper path down onto the, now, sandy beach. This is Whitelinks Bay, a fine crescent of sand backed by dunes and often very quiet. At the centre of the beach are the remains of concrete fortifications from World War Two, now tumbled by the power of the waves.
Soon after the pill box and tank traps cross the outflow of a small burn, usually possible with dry feet. Continue along the beach for 0.75km until a stone enclosure is seen on the left in the sea, built to offer protection for boats (at very high tides you may have to head up the dune bank and follow the rough path along the top). From here a track heads inland passing a couple of sheds; follow this as it cuts across the golf course (giving way to any golfers playing a shot) to reach a minor road. A left turn here would soon lead into St Coombs, but to continue the circular walk keep ahead on the tarmac road. After rounding a bend keep right.
The lane leads across the back of the golf course to return to Inverallochy, passing some large modern houses. As the main houses of Inverallochy are approached, turn right at the fork to reach the golf club. Bear left to pass the front of the Club House and back into the village. From here you could either follow one of the narrow streets behind the sea-front or simply return along the front to pass through the village and retrace your steps beyond back to the harbour.
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