The Buchan area is comprised of many picturesque towns and villages. For further information please visit the associated websites.
Boddam
The village of Boddam (pop. 1500 approx.) sits on the extreme outer shoulder of Aberdeenshire. Its lighthouse on the Buchanness promontory is the most easterly part of Scotland. Stretching for miles southwards from Boddam, rugged, granite cliffs form a defence against the winter’s mountainous seas and, not only provide a home for huge colonies of seabirds, but, vantage points to view some of nature’s finest sculptures which have been carved by the sea over centuries. Bullers of Buchan is located close to the village of Boddam. The cliffs at the Bullers provide a nesting site in spring for colonies of seabirds, including kittiwakes, puffins, fulmars, shags, razorbills and guillemots along with herring gulls and great black-backed gulls.
Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay is a coastal village with beautiful walks along sea cliffs and beach fronts. In days gone by the village was a popular retreat for the landed gentry, and the legacy of those days are that there are many and varied attractions to be seen within the village and its surrounding countryside. The village is home to a top class golf course and fantastic beach which draws visitors from far and wide. However the focal point for many lies just to the north in the impressive Slains Castle, the acknowledged inspiration for Brams Stoker’s “Dracula”.
Fetterangus
Fetterangus is a small village in Buchan located to the north of Mintlaw. Fetterangus (“Fishie”) although only having a population of between 300 and 400, the village has an active Community Association that manages to run an annual Gala every August with other events throughout the year. A nearby visitor attraction is Drinnie’s Wood and Observatory which was built in 1845 and offers attractive views over the Buchan countryside for miles in all directions
Maud
Maud is a small town in Buchan, located midway between the villages of New Deer and Old Deer and 12 miles west of Peterhead. Maud rose to prosperity in the nineteenth century as a railway junction of the Formartine and Buchan Railway. Maud has retained its railway station buildings which are now home to the Maud Railway Museum. There also use to be a livestock mart. The Maud Village Trust has developed the redundant cattle market for the benefit of the local Community, offering amongst others a lovely café.
Mintlaw
The picturesque village of Mintlaw is located in the heart of Buchan. Home of Aden Country Park and the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum, Mintlaw rewards any visitor with its quaint country scenery and rich religious history round every corner. A must see, ruined Deer Abbey dates back to the 13th century and the recently restored Culsh Monument and Drinnies Wood Pitfour Observatory viewpoints both add to an eventful day out.
Peterhead
Peterhead, situated approximately 30 miles north of Aberdeen, is the largest town in Aberdeenshire and is a major fishing port and oil industry service support centre. Peterhead is a traditional commercial and shopping centre for Buchan’s agriculture and fishing families and workers. This is well-reflected in the town’s facilities, shopping, takeaways, restaurants, cafés, pubs and hotels. Peterhead also offers the fantastic Prison Museum which allows visitors to step back in time as they walk through 125 years of history inside Scotland toughest jail.
