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Bay of Cruden

Bay in Aberdeenshire

Scotland

Bay of Cruden

Stormy Coast A rough day at New Slains Castle with big waves battering the rocky Buchan coast.
Stormy Coast Credit: Colin Smith

The Bay of Cruden is a picturesque coastal area located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is situated about 23 miles north of Aberdeen and can be accessed via the A975 road. The bay is nestled between the villages of Cruden Bay and Port Erroll, offering visitors a tranquil and scenic escape.

The Bay of Cruden is known for its stunning sandy beach, which stretches for over a mile and is backed by dunes and cliffs. The beach is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering opportunities for sunbathing, picnicking, and leisurely walks along the shore. The bay's clear waters also make it an ideal spot for swimming, although caution is advised due to strong currents at times.

One of the notable features of the Bay of Cruden is the imposing Slains Castle, perched on the cliffs overlooking the bay. Although now in ruins, the castle holds a rich history and is said to have inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Visitors can explore the castle's grounds and take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding coastline.

The bay is also a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, with a variety of bird species frequenting the area, including puffins, kittiwakes, and fulmars. Seal sightings are also common, adding to the natural beauty of the bay.

In summary, the Bay of Cruden in Aberdeenshire offers visitors a serene coastal experience, with its beautiful sandy beach, historic castle, and abundant wildlife. It is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

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Bay of Cruden Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.402854/-1.8515448 or Grid Reference NK0934. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Stormy Coast A rough day at New Slains Castle with big waves battering the rocky Buchan coast.
Stormy Coast
A rough day at New Slains Castle with big waves battering the rocky Buchan coast.
Long Haven Deep and extensive geo to the north of New Slains Castle.
Long Haven
Deep and extensive geo to the north of New Slains Castle.
Slains Castle from above Port Erroll harbour
Slains Castle from above Port Erroll harbour
Pillbox at Cruden Beach
Pillbox at Cruden Beach
The beach at Cruden Bay Looking north-east towards the village.
The beach at Cruden Bay
Looking north-east towards the village.
The beach at Cruden Bay Looking south-west.
The beach at Cruden Bay
Looking south-west.
Mouth of the Water of Cruden A line of anti-tank blocks on the far bank.
Mouth of the Water of Cruden
A line of anti-tank blocks on the far bank.
Old bridge piers in the mouth of the Water of Cruden Piers of an old bridge - although it is not clear what bridge this was. The houses of Port Erroll beyond.
Old bridge piers in the mouth of the Water of Cruden
Piers of an old bridge - although it is not clear what bridge this was. The houses of Port Erroll beyond.
Valley behind Goat's Hillock A well-vegetated low-lying valley runs between the river front at Cruden Bay and the open coast at the Donnons.
Valley behind Goat's Hillock
A well-vegetated low-lying valley runs between the river front at Cruden Bay and the open coast at the Donnons.
The path from Slains Castle to Cruden Bay The concrete structure in the field is probably the old dovecote for Slains Castle.
The path from Slains Castle to Cruden Bay
The concrete structure in the field is probably the old dovecote for Slains Castle.
Water of Cruden Looking downstream towards Ladies Bridge.
Water of Cruden
Looking downstream towards Ladies Bridge.
Water of Cruden Looking upstream from Ladies Bridge.
Water of Cruden
Looking upstream from Ladies Bridge.
Ladies Bridge The original bridge which provided the only practicable access to the beach was built in 1922, funded by a group of local ladies (hence "Ladies" Bridge). After falling into disrepair, it was rebuilt in 2015.
Ladies Bridge
The original bridge which provided the only practicable access to the beach was built in 1922, funded by a group of local ladies (hence "Ladies" Bridge). After falling into disrepair, it was rebuilt in 2015.
Ladies Bridge The original bridge which provided the only practicable access to the beach was built in 1922, funded by a group of local ladies (hence "Ladies" Bridge). After falling into disrepair, it was rebuilt in 2015.
Ladies Bridge
The original bridge which provided the only practicable access to the beach was built in 1922, funded by a group of local ladies (hence "Ladies" Bridge). After falling into disrepair, it was rebuilt in 2015.
Aviation memorial Memorial commemorating the first flight across the North Sea from Cruden Bay to Maleneset in Norway by Tryggve Gran on 30 July 1914.
Aviation memorial
Memorial commemorating the first flight across the North Sea from Cruden Bay to Maleneset in Norway by Tryggve Gran on 30 July 1914.
Cottage on Harbour Street In Port Errol.
Cottage on Harbour Street
In Port Errol.
Hydration Station Useful facility on Harbour Street.
Hydration Station
Useful facility on Harbour Street.
Whinnyfold: Scotland's third oil boom Just under my feet there is a major pipeline bringing ashore Scotland's oil. The complex Forties pipeline system carries about 700 thousand barrels per day, 30% of the UK's oil. It is owned and operated by UK-based global energy company BP. The system, which consists of a 36-inch pipeline originating at the Forties Charlie platform, carries crude oil 169 kilometres to the Cruden Bay pumping station, mile or so from here. From there, the crude flows a further 209 km south to the processing facility at Grangemouth on the Firth of Forth. North Sea oil is in fact Scotland's third oil industry. The first was based not on petroleum oil but on whale oil. In the 18th and 19th centuries whalers sailed to Greenland from Scottish ports, particularly Dundee, Aberdeen and Peterhead. There they harpooned Bowhead whales and brought back their blubber in barrels. The blubber was boiled back in Scotland and the oil used for a range of purposes including street lighting and textile and jute manufacture. The second oil industry came about thanks to one James 'Paraffin' Young. In 1851 he began to distil oil, at first from coal and later from rock shales, near to Bathgate, in West Lothian. This was the foundation of the modern oil industry, providing the raw material for a new range of chemicals. His legacy can still be seen in the landscape of West Lothian in the form of huge red mounds or bings, of spent shale from which oil has been extracted <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1789176">NT0873 : Red bing and dark sky</a>.
Whinnyfold: Scotland's third oil boom
Just under my feet there is a major pipeline bringing ashore Scotland's oil. The complex Forties pipeline system carries about 700 thousand barrels per day, 30% of the UK's oil. It is owned and operated by UK-based global energy company BP. The system, which consists of a 36-inch pipeline originating at the Forties Charlie platform, carries crude oil 169 kilometres to the Cruden Bay pumping station, mile or so from here. From there, the crude flows a further 209 km south to the processing facility at Grangemouth on the Firth of Forth. North Sea oil is in fact Scotland's third oil industry. The first was based not on petroleum oil but on whale oil. In the 18th and 19th centuries whalers sailed to Greenland from Scottish ports, particularly Dundee, Aberdeen and Peterhead. There they harpooned Bowhead whales and brought back their blubber in barrels. The blubber was boiled back in Scotland and the oil used for a range of purposes including street lighting and textile and jute manufacture. The second oil industry came about thanks to one James 'Paraffin' Young. In 1851 he began to distil oil, at first from coal and later from rock shales, near to Bathgate, in West Lothian. This was the foundation of the modern oil industry, providing the raw material for a new range of chemicals. His legacy can still be seen in the landscape of West Lothian in the form of huge red mounds or bings, of spent shale from which oil has been extracted NT0873 : Red bing and dark sky.
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Bay of Cruden is located at Grid Ref: NK0934 (Lat: 57.402854, Lng: -1.8515448)

Unitary Authority: Aberdeenshire

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///saga.book.gems. Near Port Erroll, Aberdeenshire

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Bay of Cruden

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.402854,-1.8515448
Bay of Cruden
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 57.4055783/-1.8565194
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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