A short walk to the headland overlooking Portsoy, easy going at first, although it becomes rougher nearer the point. There is also the option of a shoreline scramble for the first section at low tide.
Bog Factor
Clear coastal path which then becomes rougher and narrow near East Head.
Old Harbour, Portsoy.
Regular bus service (305) to Portsoy along Inverness - Aberdeen route.
NJ588662
This walk starts from the impressive old harbour in Portsoy. There is limited parking here and also a larger parking area on the east side of Portsoy, near the caravan park. From the old harbour walk east to the right, passing the public toilets.
Follow the road round to the right and pass a set of wooden poles used for drying fishing nets. On the right is the Salmon Bothy, a restored building from 1834 which once housed an ice house with working and living accommodation above. It now houses an interesting exhibition of the salmon industry. Follow the road in front of the caravan park and across the bridge.
Bear left to follow the track nearest the shore; the row of former fishermen's cottages to the right has been restored as the Sail Loft bunkhouse. Continue on the shore path to a junction near a bench - take the right hand path here which climbs steeply with some steps. At the top of the bank the path reaches another; turn left along it. There are good views back over Portsoy from a bench, and the net drying poles can clearly be seen across the bay.
Go through a gate and continue straight ahead. Soon the path narrows and descends towards the sea. Nearer the shore the path is indistinct. Ignore a path off up to the right (signed for a quarry) and keep going until the path rounds the corner at East Head, revealing views along the coast towards Banff. It is possible to continue to Kings Head but the path becomes increasingly rough and difficult to follow. Instead turn right - marked for the 'Coastguard Point', heading up some faint steps to reach the site of a former coastguard hut.
This is a good place to watch for passing dolphins and seabirds. From here follow a clear path cut through the gorse bushes to head back towards Portsoy. This is the old path to the coastguard hut. It passes a couple of seats. Ignore a path off right (that links with the quarry path mentioned earlier), and instead continue until a t-junction is reached by a fence. Turn right here to head down to rejoin the outward route, then turn left through the gate. Retrace your steps back to the start.
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