Cruden Bay

Cruden Bay is an attractive, quiet coastal village situated approximately 25 miles north of Aberdeen and is conveniently located close to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), resulting in a commute to the centre of Aberdeen that takes less than 40 minutes. The village is renowned for its beautiful blue flag beach which reaches approximately 2.5km in length. The beach’s white sands, clear waters and quiet harbour area make it a hit with tourists and residents alike.

What to do in Cruden Bay

Nearby lie the ruins of Slains Castle, which can be seen from the bay. The village is also home to world-renowned Cruden Bay Golf Club, hailed as one of the best natural links courses in the world. With Cruden Bay, Trump International, Murcar and Royal Aberdeen links courses situated in such close proximity, golfers from around the world come to the area in search of pure links golf – the original and best form of the game. The course also won the “Best View From Any Golf Hole In Scotland” award which is a testament to the beautiful scenery of the village.

Located off the A975, three miles north of Cruden Bay are the "Bullers of Buchan". This is a famous sea cliff chasm some 200 feet deep where the sea rushes in through a natural archway, open to the sky and just one of the beautiful natural features that provide an ideal backdrop to the coastal walks available to residents.

History of Cruden Bay

The breath-taking natural landscape of Cruden Bay has historically attracted many literary greats, including the author of “Dracula”, Bram Stoker. It is rumoured that the world-renowned writer was so enamoured with the scenery of Cruden Bay that Slains Castle was actually the inspiration for the international hit.

Other notable historic visitors to the town include famous Norwegian pilot Tryggve Gran, the first person to ever cross the North Sea in a “heavier-than-air” aircraft. Leaving the shore at Cruden Bay and arriving 4 hours and 10 minutes later, after completing a flight of 320 miles, in Stavanger, Norway.

Holidaymakers to Cruden Bay have two hotels available to them, which also house excellent restaurants, alongside a local pub. There are many essential amenities on the doorstep of residents, including a doctor’s surgery, pharmacy, post office and grocery stores. The village is also home to a boutique gift store owned and operated by local artists.

However, if what you’re looking for can’t be found in the village itself, there are several larger towns just a short drive away. Peterhead is as little as 15 minutes away by car or you can make use of a regular bus service from the centre of the village. Likewise, Ellon is a 15-minute drive away and the centre of Aberdeen can be reached in 35 minutes along the new Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR), ideal for commuters to the city.

The village is home to Port Errol School, a fantastic local primary with on-site nursery unit, while other options include Hatton Cruden Primary and Longhaven School – both short drives from the village. The primary schools in the area all feed into Peterhead Academy and buses are operated to and from school. Ellon Academy is also an option for Secondary education which can also be reached in just 15 minutes. The younger members of the family will also be kept busy outside of school with a variety of local sports and activities clubs available, popular with children in the community.

Property in the Cruden Bay area is primarily made up of quaint bungalows and semi-detached homes. However, closer to the harbour area more traditional homes can be found. Some of the best views in the area can be seen from the traditional cottages on Harbour Street, while larger 3 and 4-bedroom homes can also be found further inland.

Looking to buy or rent in Cruden Bay? Our site offers a comprehensive listing of flats and houses both for sale and for lease in Cruden Bay, ranging from traditional cottages to one-bedroom properties to family homes.