Buckie to Cullen

Summary

The final part of the Moray Coast Trail follows the road east from Buckie but soon becomes a very fine coastal cliff-top walk linking the picturesque former fishing villages of Findochty and Portknockie. A visit to the spectacular Bow Fiddle rock follows, with a final walk along a fine sandy beach to Cullen.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Roadside pavement, grassy paths, steps and rougher in places, sandy beach

Getting there

Start

Buckie.

Public Transport

Buses serve all the villages along this section.

Start Grid Ref

NJ424657

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Services

Buckie is a coastal towns with a range of shops and places to eat and stay. There's a cafe at Strathlene, a pub and a shop at Findochty, and another pub, takeaways and a B&B at Portknockie. Cullen at the end of the stage has hotels, bed and breakfasts, a hostel, cafes, shops and restaurants.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 12km / 7.5 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 148m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

The Moray Coastal Trail contains eastwards from Buckie along the A942; it can be joined from Cluny Square by heading briefly north before forking right. Soon Commercial Road is followed across the back of Cluny Harbour, usually busy with smaller freight and fishing boats. At the far end pass the shipbuilding yards and, staying on the pavement, leaving the coast briefly before the A942 returns to the coastline. Keep on the pavement on the left overlooking the sea and pass through Portessie. At Strathlene Sands, head through the car park opposite the caravan site to follow the grassy ground behind the sands soon picking up the driveway leading to the former Strathlene House Hotel.

Stage 2

Once past the former hotel, keep an eye out for seals which sometimes bask on the rocks just out to sea. Pass the remains of the open air swimming pool, follow the all abilities gravel footpath along the coast, passing a small metal pavillion. At the end of the surfaced path the going gets rougher as it joins the rocky foreshore before heading up steps and continuing along the clifftop, keeping to the left edge of the golf course, before heading down steps to continue along the coast. After crossing a bridge over a rocky inlet the path reaches a caravan park at Findochty. Keep straight ahead to reach the harbour and follow the road around the harbour.

Stage 3

Follow the cycleway signs to continue onto Storlochy Street, the Hythe and Duke Street before turning right at the end of Duke Street to cross behind the beach at Sandy Creek on the far side of the village. At the far side the path climbs up to meet an excellent cyclepath; turn left along. It passes a cemetery and has good views over the rocky coastline by Tronach Head.

Stage 4

The cyclepath emerges on Cliff Terrace in Portknockie. Keep ahead along Harbour Road, with the harbour itself down on the left. At the far side as the road forks and the left branch heads down to the boats, keep right on the cliff-top road. There are attractive houses on the right, and some fantastically-sculpted rocks down to the left. Further on the road runs past some local authority housing. Fork left to pass some workshops and pick up the excellent coastal path that begins just beyond. Keep on the main path, soon running past an amazing off-shore stack known as the Bow Fiddle rock - though to us it looks like a sinking battleship!

Stage 5

Continue on the clear path; eventually taking a signed branch on the left that descends steps to eventually reach the shore, with The Whale's Mouth - a sea-tunnel - visible over to the left. A path has been made in concrete along the base of the cliffs to reach Jenny's Well. Continue round a rocky bluff (this could be impossible at very high tide) and then stride out across the wide sands of Cullen Bay.

Stage 6

Before reaching Cullen there are some fin-like sea-stacks known as the Three Kings - great for a wind-break! Head up into the car park beyond and cross this to reach the footbridge over the Burn of Cullen. Head along the front past the old fishermen's houses of Seatown to reach Cullen Harbour. From here a road sweeps sharply right to head up into the main part of the village. Pass under the old railway viaduct to reach the square at the heart of Cullen. This is the end of the Moray Coastal Trail - though there is northing to stop you continuing your coast walk into Aberdeenshire!

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