Step 7 · Leave room for the coast
The North-East coast: cliffs, harbours and seals
South to Stonehaven, north to the dunes and sea cliffs of Buchan — the coastline within an hour of the city.
Why spend a day on the coast?
The coastline either side of Aberdeen is varied and, for much of its length, quiet. To the south, cliffs and coves run down to the harbour town of Stonehaven. To the north, long sandy beaches and dunes give way to granite sea cliffs, seabird colonies and small fishing villages. Most of it is within an hour of the city, and much can be reached by public transport.
South: Stonehaven and the cliffs
Stonehaven is a short train ride south of Aberdeen. Its harbour, with the old Tolbooth on the quay, is a pleasant place to sit, and the town has a long seafront and an Art Deco open-air swimming pool that opens in summer. From the harbour, a clifftop path leads south past the war memorial on its hill to Dunnottar Castle. See our Dunnottar Castle page for visiting details.
In the city: Girdle Ness and Torry Battery
On the south side of Aberdeen harbour, Girdle Ness lighthouse stands on a grassy headland above the rocks. Nearby, the nineteenth-century Torry Battery overlooks the harbour mouth and is one of the best places in the city to watch for dolphins.
North: Newburgh, Forvie and the Bullers
- Newburgh and the Ythan estuary: about a half-hour north of the city. A large colony of seals hauls out on the sands across the estuary; watch from the Newburgh side and keep your distance.
- Forvie National Nature Reserve: extensive sand dunes beside the estuary, with paths and birdlife.
- Collieston and Cruden Bay: small coastal villages with sheltered coves and long beaches.
- The Bullers of Buchan: a dramatic collapsed sea cave near Cruden Bay, surrounded by cliffs where seabirds nest in spring and summer. The path runs close to sheer drops — keep children and dogs close.
Coastal safety
- Cliff edges can be undercut and slippery; stay on paths and well back from the edge.
- Check tide times before exploring beaches and rocks.
- Give seals and nesting birds plenty of space — if animals react to you, you are too close.
For a half-day version close to the city, read our field note on the Footdee to Girdle Ness walk.