Discover Johnshaven

Johnshaven combines a working harbour with coastal paths, a public park and a history shaped by fishing and community life. If you’re looking for a hotel in Johnshaven, these themes can help you decide what to focus on during your stay: would you like to explore the coast on foot, learn more about the maritime past or time your trip to coincide with the Fish Festival? The route, harbour, museum and event offer different starting points for your planning.

Coastal paths with different routes

The Mearns Coastal Heritage Trail is a community-led coastal route from Johnshaven to St Cyrus. Since 2019, the Mearns Coastal Heritage Trail group has worked with the Tangleha Artists Collective, local volunteers and Aberdeenshire Council to develop and maintain the route. If you’re planning to follow this trail, check the route provider’s latest guidance before setting out.

The North Sea Coastal Trail passes through Johnshaven and provides pedestrian access along the coast. Route conditions and diversions may change on this trail; weather and coastal erosion can also affect conditions on coastal paths. The two routes are described in different ways: the Mearns Coastal Heritage Trail is specified as a route from Johnshaven to St Cyrus, while the North Sea Coastal Trail is described as passing through the village and providing pedestrian access along the coast. This makes it easier to decide which path suits your plans.

Harbour and fishing history

Johnshaven Harbour has two basins separated by a central pier. The harbour covers 5,800 square metres, and its quays measure 330 metres in total. The working harbour is complemented by coastal paths and a public park. This puts the layout of the harbour and other things to see in the village side by side for your planning. If current operating conditions are important for your visit, check them in advance.

The historical record goes back to 1722: at that time, Johnshaven had 26 boats and at least 130 fishermen. These figures give a concrete sense of the importance of fishing to the village at the time. Alongside today’s image of a working harbour, they highlight the contrast between historical fishing activity and the harbour visitors can experience as part of village life today.

Museum and Fish Festival

The Benholm and Johnshaven Heritage Hub Museum is housed in the Old Lifeboat House, built in 1891. The building is listed as Category C and lies within the Johnshaven Conservation Area. Hands-on visitor experiences at the museum bring the history and past of Benholm and Johnshaven to life. The history of the building and the local history explored by the museum come together here.

The Johnshaven Fish Festival celebrates shellfish fishing and the village’s fishing traditions. It takes place annually in the harbour area during the first two weeks of August; the exact date varies. Check the event dates before planning your trip around it. The festival adds a date-specific highlight, while the museum and harbour offer other ways to explore history and village life.

Local seafood

The Lobster Shop is a family-run business specialising in fresh, ready-to-eat seafood. The products are sourced mostly from local fishermen and include lobster and brown crab, among other things. Menus and availability can change, so it’s a good idea to check the current selection before visiting.

Whether coastal paths, harbour history, the museum, the festival or seafood are top of your list, these themes give you several concrete starting points for planning your stay in Johnshaven.

Discover more destinations: Pitmedden, Balmedie, Strathdon, Kirkton Of Skene, Alford, Inverallochy, Peterhead, Portsoy

For the overview of the wider area: Aberdeenshire.