Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Visit the stunning Northeast Coast of Aberdeenshire and it will steal your heart. On this tour we will visit some of the region's most dramatic coastline.
Taking time to wander through some of the most beautiful fishing villages including Gardenstown and Crovie, to learn about its maritime past and present. Hear stories about a few influential characters and ‘Local Heroes’ who called this countryside home.
From working harbours to abandoned castles and tall cliffs where the seabird colonies cling to nest, this tour will immerse you in the heritage of the northeast and its connection to the sea.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
WiFi on board
Lunch
What To Expect
Gardenstown
Explore the north Aberdeenshire coast During the first part of our journey, we make our way through the Aberdeenshire countryside, to the coastal villages of Gardenstown and Crovie. Built into the red sandstone cliffs the villages have a special and remote atmosphere. From the lovely harbour and beach, you can look out over the Moray Firth and perhaps catch a glimpse of the dolphins and other wildlife in the bay. The village of Gardenstown recently celebrated their 300th naming anniversary, and its harbour has a fleet of small fishing boats. On the quayside, you can occasionally see men preparing their lobster pots for the next catch, as well as the Salmon House which contains the Heritage Centre. We encourage you to take a walk along the coastal path which take you to Crovie, dating from the 18th century, if the tide allows. Crovie is the smallest and most remote of Buchan cliff-foot fishing villages, it comprises a single row of houses, most gable-end to the sea.
Pennan
We need a Hero Pennan came into existence as a fishing village in the 18th century. The people of Pennan were dependent on the sea and most families had small boats, often multiple generations of the same family lived in the village. With a pebble stone beach and smart houses with colourful windows, there is a charm and peacefulness in the village that tempts you to linger and listen to the waves. Pennan became famous in the 1980s for being used as one of the main locations for the film Local Hero and representing the fictional village of Ferness. Film enthusiasts have come from all over the world to make a phone call in the red telephone box which featured in the film.
Options
North East Coast Tour
Reviews
54 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great Tour
Janet H,
Jul 4, 2025
- Viator
5.00Wonderful tour with Alex. We were blessed with a beautiful day. Alex is a gem of a guide. You can tell he was an educator in his previous profession. Very informative and engaging. I would highly recommend this tour.
Aberdeen coastal
James S,
Jun 25, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great guide very friendly , and well informed would recommend it to everyone, must do if interested in coastal Scotland
Great tour of coastal scotland
Jason C,
Jun 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00The day was lovely. Our guide was a native of Peterhead where we stopped for lunch. The countryside and coast reminded me of nova scotia. First stop was Gardenstown which is a cute old fishing village. Next we took a 10 minute trail along the beach to Crovie, population 4. Our next stop was a few minutes more down the road to Pennan, pop 6. It’s also famous as the filming location for a minor cult classic called Local Hero where the phone booth plays a big role. We drove thru Fraserborough and saw Scotland’s oldest lighthouse but couldn’t stop to take a good pic. Next we went to Peterhead which is the furthest east city in scotland and a major center of the fishing industry for Europe. We had fish and chips at a famous place known for them at the port. The next stop was the Bullars o’Buchanan which featured a collapsed sea cave and puffins! We had a picture stop at Collieston and then saw seals at Favie National preserve. Our guide shared his knowledge of the areas we visited and northeast Scotland.
Lovely Day Out
Michael H,
Jun 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00The Aberdeen Coastal Villages Tour Was Amazing You Ger To Visit Little Fishing Towns[And Undiscovered Gems Like Bullers Of Buchan] Jamie Was A Very Good And Engaging Guide
Excellent Tour
Maggie G,
Jun 10, 2025
- Viator
5.00This was an excellent tour! Alex was very knowledgeable. The tour was very organized and I would highly recommend to anyone! Thanks for a great day!
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Operated by Grampian Escapes Tours Ltd