Walks from Banff Links
BANFF LINKS & WHITEHILLS
- Length: 3 miles. Time: at least 1 hour
- Mostly level - some tarmac roads
- no special footwear necessary
As well as an easily accessible bit of coastline, this walk by the shore is also on the National Cycle Route 1 and a cycle symbol is seen near the car park at Swordanes, from where this walk starts. Swordanes carpark can be reached by turning right off the main A98 coast road approx 1/2 mile (1 km) west of Banff.
Go west, towards Whitehills, through the caravan park and cross the footbridge over the Burn of Boyndie. The foreshore on this section is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its geological interest. These rocks have many features preserved in them which tell specialists much about how they were formed.
The rocky section of Boyndie Bay is a good place to see seals. Common shore birds include the usual oystercatcher, redshank and turnstone. Offshore, as well Offshore, as well as gulls of various species, terns and gannets (the latter, perhaps from the Troup Head colony) can often be seen diving for fish.
Pass the Red Well (correctly pronounced the 'reed waal'). This is a chalybeate (iron-bearing) well or spring formerly frequented when Banff was a minor spa resort in the 18th century. Keep on the coastal track, which is suitable for motor vehicles from this point onwards.
By the caravan park, the shoreline has in places some red bricks among the natural stones. This is a reminder of the now-vanished Blackpots Brick and Tile Works, which formerly stood beyond the caravan park, on what is now a children's play park. Beyond the play area, note the compass-rose made out of cobbles. On clear days, the north-west points almost directly towards Morven the distinctive cone-shaped hill behind Dunbeath in Caithness across the Firth. Also from the compass rose, there is a view of Whltehllls harbour.
Continue past the harbour, following the road uphill, opposite the fish merchant Downies. Turn second left into Loch Street, returning eastwards towards Banff.
Opposite the playing fields, turn left down a narrow road. This leads back to the shore at the Red Well and the return route to Banff.
BANFF LINKS & SCOTSTOWN
Length: 1 mile. Time: 30 minutes Easy and level
This walk follows the coast back towards Banff, with good views, interesting geology and probably lots of birdlife.
Follow the coast eastwards towards the car park beyond the shelter. All of this part of the shore is within an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Opposite the shelter, well down the shore and covered at high tide, are a scattering of large rocks which are 'erratics' - that is, they have been carried there by ice.
From the car park, continue to follow the road east. The birdlife to be seen here is typical of the rocky shore, with oystercatcher, redshank, turnstone and curlew the most common sightings, as well as a variety of gull species. Cormorant and shag can be seen diving close inshore, along with eider duck. A winter walk here might reveal scarcer visitors such as red-throated diver in the bay.
Continue along the road, passing Scotstown.
The settlement here was founded in 1852 for a colony of fishermen from Portknockie attracted by Banff harbour. About 1865, more fishing families came from western parts of the Firth.
Beyond Scotstown, turn right on to the old trackbed of the Banff-Tillynaught railway whose terminus lay just to the east. This branch line opened in 1859 and finally
closed in 1968.
Return west by the trackbed of the railway, the higher level allowing good views across the rocky shore.
Click on a image below to see a larger version.
