The extensive dune systems, mainly between Aberdeen and Newburgh, and the many remote beaches, bays and nature reserves provide a safe haven for wildlife. The beaches are great to explore on foot or just to enjoy on a sunny day.
Below is an overview of the villages, towns, landmarks and other interesting sites on the stretch of coastline between Balmedie and Fraserburgh. It’s a total length of 41 miles (65km).
Balmedie to Collieston
The area between Aberdeen and Collieston consists of a stunning coastline with miles of beaches and is backed by impressive dunes. This roughly starts around Balmedie, a small village north of Aberdeen and perhaps best known in the National News for the Donald Trump Golf Resort, to the north of the village. To the east of the village is Balmedie Country Park, a stunning dune system with many miles of pathways and access to the beach.

Dunes between Balmedie and Newburgh
The dune system stretches as far as the river Ythan near the lovely village of Newburgh. Where the river Ythan flows into the North Sea is a beautiful estuary which is a favourite location of many Grey Seals and Eider Ducks, and you can come up very close! The view from the top of the Dunes towards Aberdeen is breathtaking! Newburgh has a Golf Course and next to it is a large parking space for those who want to enjoy the wildlife, dunes and beach.

Forvie National Nature Reserve
Between Newburgh and Collieston, the area north of the River Ythan, is Forvie National Nature Reserve which provides many habitats for a large variety of wildlife. The nature reserve has several entrances and offers many miles of well maintained tracks. The reserve is also home to the largest breeding colony of Eider Duck in the UK.

Collieston
This pretty village is built around a beautiful bay with the harbour and pier at its centre. Collieston is a former thriving fishing village and at some point in the 19th century many fishing boats brought in herring from the North Sea. Nowadays Collieston is a secluded hide-away with some holiday cottages, residential housing and a lovely pier, a viewpoint and small beach. With stormy weather it’s a great place to watch the waves crashing over the pier. The village has no shop but for Groceries you typically go to nearby Ellon. Just outside Collieston is the main entrance to the Forvie National Nature Reserve and the visitor centre.
Whinnyfold & Pump-station
To the North of Collieston is a single track road to Cruden Bay which passes Whinnyfold, a small coastal village with secluded bay. Just outside the village is a large pump-station connected to the Forties pipeline system which carries about 700 thousand barrels per day, 30% of the UK’s oil from the North Sea inland. The crude oil enters the pump-station at Whinnyfold through a 36 inch pipeline from where it is pumped 209km further south to the Grangemouth refinery near Edinburgh. The area between the single track road and the coast is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for nationally important colonies of cliff nesting seabirds, including kittiwake, guillemot, razorbill, fulmar and shag
Cruden Bay to Peterhead
This is an altogether different landscape from what you find south of the river Ythan. The area between Cruden Bay and Peterhead consists mostly of farmland and a somewhat more rugged coastline with only a few villages and towns.

Cruden Bay and Slains Castle
Buchan Ness Lighthouse
Peterhead
RSPB Reserve Loch of Strathbeg
11 Miles north of Peterhead is RSPB Reserve Loch of Strathbeg, an important nature reserve which is a vital wintering and staging post for pink-footed geese. It’s surrounded by wetlands and dunes which makes it an ideal spot for wetland wildlife. The reserve has a visitor centre and offers guided walks.
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