Exploring the Area
Maps, guide books and a folder of local 'inside' information are provided for the use of guests at Harbour Loft. For walks in the area, see also http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/aberdeenshire
In addition to the countryside and villages accessible from Portsoy on foot via paths or quiet roads, it is easy to go further afield by bus, car or bicycle. Go east, west or south to explore the unspoilt villages, towns and countryside of Aberdeenshire and Moray, to visit a castle, stately home, whisky distillery, woollen mill, museum or marine aquarium, or to play golf or take a boat trip to watch dolphins, whales and seabirds.
Cullen
Take the bus or drive 10 minutes to Cullen, or walk there along the coastal path, to browse in the antique and craft shops and architectural salvage yard; climb the Bin of Cullen (not as hard as it looks!) for one of the best views in Moray; walk in the grounds of Cullen House, or along the viaduct (pictured above) to Portknockie and the Fiddle Rock; explore an ancient church and graveyard; or just spend a lazy day on the beach.
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The Knock
Together with the Bin of Cullen, the rounded hill of the Knock dominates the landscape between Cullen and Portsoy.
A steep path takes you to the top of the hill. Alternatively, take a gentler grassy path that winds its way through leafy tunnels, past a pond with picnic table and up into the trees again (if you time it right you can enjoy a feast of wild rasps!), with benches to sit on along the way from which to admire the views. Eventually you come to a track that traverses the hillside through the heather and old pine trees.
Fantastic views either way!
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Bin of Cullen
A wide, easy path takes you to the top of the Bin from which there are amazing views out to sea, along the coast and inland to the Grampians. The upper slopes of the hill are clad in ancient pine woodland (the windswept trees near the top are interestingly stunted and gnarled!) where red squirrels, bullfinches and lots of other wildlife can be seen. At the foot of the hill, a network of tracks lead along a burn, through the forest and through the grounds of Cullen House to the beach.
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Castles and historic houses
Why not spend a day (or several) visiting some of Aberdeenshire's many castles, stately homes and gardens? From unsignposted remains hidden among trees, to well-preserved ruins such as Huntly Castle, to the spectacular Fyvie Castle, this is 'Castle Country' and you are never far from an atmospheric ruin or beautiful stately home complete with its contents and fascinating family history.
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Banff
Seven miles to the east of Portsoy is the county town of Banff, which was once an important centre in which local aristocrats had town houses for which they would leave their estates in the winter. A heritage trail guides you around the historic parts of the town. Duff House, a grand Georgian mansion designed by famous Scottish architect William Adam, houses nationally significant collections of paintings, furniture, china and other antiques and artefacts (including such oddities as vertebrae painted to look like priests), hosts exhibitions, and has a shop and tea room. From the house, there is a lovely walk through the woods along the banks of the River Deveron to the spectacular Bridge of Alvah spanning the river far below. Red squirrels can often be spotted in the trees.
Banff has a wide range of shops and facilities and there are frequent buses to and from Portsoy. Cross Banff Bridge to Macduff to the east and the aquarium, where you can get up close to the local marine life. To the west, take a short walk to the lovely long sandy beach at Inverboyndie and beyond to the village of Whitehills. This path, right next to the shore, can also be cycled. Lots of wildlife can be seen here – including seals, porpoises, terns, turnstones and curlews – and there are rockpools to explore. The Roman Red Well is about half way along the path to Whitehills.
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Activities
Wildlife
The Moray Firth area is particularly rich in flora and fauna. The clean air allows spectacular lichen growth, which you will find on the stone surfaces of houses and walls as well as the rock formations along the coast. Take a walk along the coastal paths in summer and you will see a wide variety of flowering plants, such as wild thyme and orchids. Many species of butterflies, moths, bees and other insects can be spotted, and you will often hear larks singing overhead. Bird-watchers will find colonies of seabirds nesting very near to the path, and the area is home to now-rare birds such as curlews and lapwings.
A pair of binoculars is a must on any walk.
You are quite likely to see red squirrels in the forests and woods, as well as badgers, foxes, bats and deer. Pine martens and wild cats are much more elusive, but they are here!
You don't need to take a boat trip to watch sea life - you can enjoy it without leaving dry land, from the inhabitants of rock pools, such as hermit crabs and sea anemones, to seals hauled out on rocks and on beaches, to dolphins leaping from the water as they travel along the coast.
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