Gardenstown: Coast, History and Paths to Crovie

Gardenstown brings together coastal scenery, fishing history and paths between the village and nearby Crovie. The area offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: its location on Gamrie Bay, the harbour, historic sites and coastal walks. What defines your stay depends on whether you want to focus on the scenery, local history or a hike.

Coastal setting and village character

Gardenstown is built on red sandstone cliffs covered by glacial deposits from the last Ice Age. The buildings nestle on steep slopes and look out across the bay. A sandy beach lies on the western side of the village; crab boats and leisure craft are moored in the harbour. The setting brings together geological features and a lived-in hillside landscape, along with a beach and harbour.

Church, ruins and fishing history

St John's Church is a late medieval church of national significance. It lies on the eastern side of Gamrie Bay, overlooking Gardenstown. The striking ruins of St John's Kirk recall the area's rich and at times turbulent history. The Gardenstown Heritage Centre is housed in the former Salmon House, overlooking the harbour. The seasonal centre introduces visitors to the village's fishing history. The area's past is represented by everything from a significant church and its ruins to its fishing heritage. If you plan to include the Heritage Centre in your trip, bear in mind that it operates seasonally.

Walks to Crovie and St John's Church

The Gardenstown and Crovie walking route leads from the old fishing village of Gardenstown along the old coastal route to nearby Crovie, a picturesque and very small village; it returns via a cliff path. The outward and return routes are different: the old coastal route leads to Crovie, while the return is via the cliff path. The coastal path offers opportunities to spot dolphins and seabirds. Dolphin sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed; seabird activity also varies with the season.

A walking route from Gardenstown to St John's Church passes closely packed fishermen's cottages, crosses a beach and then follows a grassy path to the ruined churchyard. The path can be muddy after landslides or wet weather. The routes offer different experiences: one connects Gardenstown with Crovie, while the other leads to the church and ruined churchyard.

Harbour and summer excursions

In summer, sightseeing or fishing trips around the bay may be available from the harbour. Check locally whether these excursions are available before including them in your plans. Along with the crab boats and leisure craft in the harbour, these seasonal excursions offer another glimpse of the village's connection with the bay.

Discover more destinations: Inverbervie, Tarland, Inverallochy, Rosehearty, Johnshaven, Peterhead, Macduff, Plaidy

For the wider travel overview: Aberdeenshire.