In this section
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Towns + Villages
- Aberchirder
- Aberdeen
- Aboyne
- Alford
- Ballater
- Banchory
- Banff
- Braemar
- Crovie
- Cruden Bay
- Cullen
- Ellon
- Fraserburgh
- Gardenstown
- Gourdon
- Huntly
- Insch
- Inverurie
- Johnshaven
- Kemnay
- Kintore
- Laurencekirk
- Macduff
- Mintlaw
- Newburgh
- Newmachar
- Oldmeldrum
- Pennan
- Peterhead
- Portlethen
- Portsoy
- Sandend
- St Cyrus
- Strathdon
- Stonehaven
- Turriff
- Westhill
- Whitehills
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- Accommodation in Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire
- Getting Here
- Cruise Guests - Welcome to Aberdeen
- Getting Around
- Tour Guides & Guided Tours
- Suggested Itineraries
- Suggested Maps
- Touring Routes and Trails
- Deals & Offers
- Equipment Hire
- Shopping & Souvenirs
Gardenstown
Rather like seabirds which have adapted to living in the nooks and crannies of cliffs, buildings in Gardenstown also cling to steep slopes as the village has grown vertically towards the sea’s edge.
The first houses in Gardenstown were constructed at sea level next to the harbour and over the centuries subsequent development has taken place in tiers above. The houses right at the top of the cliff provide an incredible vista of the stunning bay, and even those with vertigo must be envious of their view.
Gardenstown’s harbour, once a busy fishing port, is now full of small creel boats and pleasure craft. A walk to the harbour can be rounded off with a visit to the seasonal Gardenstown Heritage Centre which gives a fascinating insight into the fishing industry and Gardenstown of old.
There is a coastal path linking neighbouring village Crovie with Gardenstown offering a perfect walk for spotting dolphins in the bay and seabirds on the cliffs.
In contrast to the quiet calm of the village lies the ruin of St John’s Kirk, which has a very grizzly past. Once the scene of a ferocious and bloody battle, the skulls of defeated Norsemen were displayed in an opening in the wall east of the pulpit of the church following defeat of the Danes at nearby Bloodymires Farm…
Getting There
Head north from Aberdeen by car via the A90 and A948. There is a bus via Macduff operated by Stagecoach.