Downies Haven

Bay in Kincardineshire

Scotland

Downies Haven

Portlethen from the A90 Credit: Mike Pennington

Downies Haven is a picturesque bay located in Kincardineshire, Scotland. Situated along the eastern coast of Scotland, this charming bay offers visitors a serene and idyllic setting. The bay is named after the nearby Downie Point, which overlooks the area.

The bay is known for its stunning natural beauty, with its pristine sandy beach stretching along the coastline. The crystal-clear waters of the North Sea lap gently against the shore, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. The bay is flanked by rocky cliffs, adding to its rugged and scenic appeal.

Downies Haven is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with a range of activities on offer. The bay is ideal for swimming and sunbathing during the warmer months, and its calm waters make it a great spot for water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding. The surrounding cliffs provide excellent opportunities for hiking and rock climbing, offering breathtaking views of the bay and its surroundings.

Nature lovers will appreciate the diverse wildlife that can be found in the area. Downies Haven is home to a variety of bird species, including seagulls, cormorants, and oystercatchers. Visitors may also spot seals and dolphins swimming in the bay, adding to the enchanting experience.

Facilities at Downies Haven include a small car park and public toilets, ensuring visitors have the necessary amenities during their visit. The bay is easily accessible by road, with a scenic coastal drive leading to the area.

Overall, Downies Haven is a hidden gem on Scotland's eastern coast, offering visitors a peaceful and picturesque retreat surrounded by natural beauty.

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Downies Haven Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.045543/-2.120756 or Grid Reference NO9294. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Portlethen from the A90

Mike Pennington

House and fields north of Newtonhill

Mike Pennington

Quiet, but wide residential street

Photographer is standing near the street edge

C Michael Hogan

Looking towards Cammachmore Bay

Photographer is standing at the verge of the minor paved road.

C Michael Hogan

Coastal scene at England farm

A wisp of the North Sea is visible at image upper right. This locale is only accessible on an unpaved farm road; hence the 4x4 vehicle is desirable.

C Michael Hogan

Coastal view towards Downies

Access to this point only via unpaved farm track.

C Michael Hogan

Residential lane in Old Portlethen

Photographer is standing at the edge of the paved lane.

C Michael Hogan

Coastal access limited by residential uses

Since there is no parking and no signage present, the coastal visitor here in Old Portlethen is in a quandary as to how best to achieve access to the beautiful rugged coastline that lies beyond. Most significantly, the planning decisions that led up to the present land use configuration, are confusing to say the least, with a curtain wall of single family residences effectively occupying most of the potential coastal access from the village.

C Michael Hogan

Portlethen Railway Station

View from an overbridge, looking northwards. This has been the site of a station for a long time, since well before the building of a small town at Portlethen and it used to serve Portlethen Village on the coast.

Richard Webb

Cairnwell Drive

Like almost all of Portlethen, new.

Richard Webb

Railway, Portlethen

Looking southwards on the railway serving Aberdeen.

Richard Webb

Jubilee Hall

The hall was originally a drill hall.

Anne Burgess

Portlethen railway station, Aberdeenshire

Opened in 1850 by the Aberdeen Railway on what is today the line from Dundee to Aberdeen, this station closed to passengers in 1956 and completely in 1963. View north towards Cove Bay and Aberdeen. The 1850 station platforms were mostly on the far side of where the footbridge now is.

Nigel Thompson

Junction at Cammachmore, near Portleithen

Mike Pennington

Platform 2 Portlethen Rail Station

Douglas Nelson

Portlethen Station

As others have noted, opened 1850, closed 1956 when the Aberdeen suburban services were abandoned and reopened in 1985. Facilities are minimal, with bus shelters and a ticket machine.

Bill Harrison

Portlethen parish kirk

The Buildings of Scotland (Pevsner) Guide is not impressed with the 1840 structure: "a meagre Gothic box with bellcote". It just scrapes a C-listing (LB2874): Link