THE AREA
The north-east coast of Scotland is one of Scotland’s hidden treasures. Away from the tourist hoards, this gem of an area has big, light filled skies, amazing long sandy beaches, and friendly folk who even have their own dialect! There is also the blessing of relatively no midges....
You are near to the Grampian and Highland mountains and hills for the serious climbers and walkers, but there are hundreds of more leisurely strolls or smaller hills locally for the less adventurous.
Because you are on the coast, the sea and its natural bounty has played a huge part in the fortunes of the area, with deep sea fishing and the oil industry. There are plenty of sea leisure activities to do locally, from a simple boat ride to try and find dolphins or amaze at the birdlife clinging to the cliffs, to kite surfing and diving. Go for a trip to Fraserburgh and look out for the surfers on the beach. Nearby Rosehearty is renowned as a fantastic place to go diving and look at the abundant - and surprisingly colourful - wildlife in the sea.
Gardenstown, or Gamrie (pronounced Game-rie) has rows of prettily-painted traditional fishermen's cottages, and the coast enjoys some of the best weather in Scotland - dry and sunny and does not suffer from midges!
Originally known as Gamrie, Gardenstown was founded in 1720 by Alexander Garden specifically as a fishing village. On the hillside to the west, and visible from most parts of Gardenstown, are the remains of the Church of St John the Evangelist. This predates the village, being built in 1513, and celebrates an even earlier event, the defeat of the Danes here in 1004.
By the 1920s, Gardenstown and the neighbouring village of Crovie together housed around 250 fishermen and 50 fishing boats were based here. This number declined over the following years in the face of competition from the larger and more effective vessels that could operate from other ports.
Gardenstown grew at Crovie's expense after the great storm of 31 January 1953. This washed away the path between the villages together with stretches of Crovie's sea defences, and a number of houses and sheds. Crovie ceased to be viable almost immediately, and many residents moved to Gardenstown.
Gardenstown has tended to grow upwards. The oldest cottages and other buildings are next to the sea, while newer additions are layered up the cliffs, culminating with the new housing and development that has taken place on the level ground above the cliffs. This steady growth has helped ensure a continuity of services and as a result Gardenstown continues to be a living and thriving village.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
* On Aberdeenshire coastal route and trail - Coastal Trail Website Link
* Fantastically scenic and panoramic beaches nearby
* Walking - Walks Around Gardenstown Link
* Golf - Cruden Bay, Royal Aberdeen plus a host of other local mainly links courses - Golf Courses Link
* Castle Trail - Castle Trail Website Link
* Whisky Trail and distillery tours - Whisky Trail Website Link
* Boat trips - North 58 Website Link
* Bird watching - RSPB Loch of Strathbeg
* Freshwater and sea fishing
* Artist Trail - North-east Artists' Trail Website Link
* Wildlife watching - dolphins and whales can often be seen in the area
* Local pub, the Garden Arms - (Garden Arms Hotel Website Link) is 100 yards away from the front door and has a roaring fire, no tv, and no mobile phone reception so is the perfect place to get to know the locals. It also does great food at the weekend.
* Plenty of great restaurants locally with locally-caught seafood
* Village of Pennan nearby - used as location of film Local Hero
* Fraserburgh Lighthouse Museum - Fraserburgh Lighthouse Museum Website Link
* Historic Duff House - Duff House Website Link
* Macduff Aquarium - Macduff Aquarium Website Link
* Macduff Bowling Alley
* Victorian Heritage Trail - Victorian Heritage Trail Website Link
* Stone Circle Trail - Stone Circle Trail Website Link
* Aberdour beach - explore the sandstone caves, walk on the singing shingle beach or walk along the cliffs to the sandy secluded beach.
* Findlater Castle - located on a spectacular prometary outcrop, ramble over the ruins of this castle or go for a walk on the beach, rated as one of the best (and not widely known) beaches in Scotland. We've seen minke whales here and bottlenose dolphins can often be spotted here too.
* Stay inside - whisky by the fire, read books, watch dvds, have a bath and enjoy relaxing....... Or stay in Gamrie - a walk on the rocks and beach, go to the pub, stroll about and watch the world go by.........