Banff-whitehills circuit

About trip

This almost level walk includes a lovely beach section followed by rocky shoreline renowned for its seabirds and seals and then a visit to Whitehills before looping back to rejoin the outward route.

5miles

2-3 hours. grade 1

Shared cycle track, beach, track and minor road

Stage 1

The harbour car park, near the north pier in Banff, is signed from the main street, turn left off the A98 if approaching Banff from the east. From here head west along the sea wall away from the harbour. Soon the row of cottages at Scotstown come into view and the rocks known as the Babes can be seen at low tides. Immediately after the last cottage turn left and go under the old railway and climb up onto it and continue heading west towards the beach at Boyndie Bay.

Stage 2

The old railway line is now part of the Sustrans national cycle network, continue along it until the car park is reached. Descend here and follow the path across the grass to the beach. At the concrete stairs head onto the sands, unless the tide is very high when it is possible to continue through the campsite instead. The blue-roofed pavilions hark back to a bye-gone age when Banff was a popular resort and wealthy town in itself.

Stage 3

At the far end of the campsite come up off the beach and cross the end of the campsite to cross a bridge over a stream. Turn right after the bridge to follow a track along the shore. The next section is rocky and can be a good place to spot seabirds and sometimes seals. When a parking area is reached, the Red Well can be seen just up the hill (this is visited on the return route). Cross the road and continue along the shore.

Stage 4

The road soon reaches a caravan park and follows the shore side of it and passes the old harbour at Blackpots. Once the site of a brick and tile works, drainage pipes, bricks and roofing tiles were produced from the distinctive red clay from 1766 to 1974 when the works closed and the caravan park opened on the same spot. Today pieces of red brick can often be found on the beaches along the coast. Follow the road around Knock Head.