The Area
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CULLEN & THE LOCAL AREA Cullen is about an hour's drive from Inverness and Aberdeen, on the Moray Firth coastal route. It is also in the area known as the "Whisky Trail" where there numerous famous distilleries within a few miles. This picturesque seatown with its colourful painted houses and twisting lanes dates in part from the seventeenth century. The small harbour, begun in 1817 and once busy with the herring fishing, is now mainly used by pleasure craft. |
 Sunset over Cullen. |
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PRISTAN COTTAGE VISITORS' BOOK - SUCCESSFUL OUTINGS
Visitors always write in our visitors book what they have been up to during their stay. This gives other guests some good ideas for places to go and things to see in the area. Here are some of our findings so far :
"Walks around the coast are very popular, and can be done directly on foot from Pristan Cottage. At Easter we did the 6-Harbour Walk from Portsoy to Buckie which took us most of the day, being about 16 miles long. But you can do bits of the walk as you feel like it. Cullen to Portnockie by the beach and back by the old railway line. The old railway line is also a good place for cycling. Or to the east you can walk to Findlater Castle which dates from the late 14th century by way of Sunnyside Beach and the Giant Steps. The Bin Hill is just behind Cullen and is also a great walk with spectacular views at the top."
"At Spey Bay there is the Dolphin Centre with information about the latest spottings. A Dolphin-Spotting Boat is based at Buckie and you can book to go out with them."
"We once saw the aurora borealis in Cullen, but I am told that this is exceptional. But the sunsets are beautiful up there and you will most probably spend the evening strolling along the beach, picking up some driftwood, which is plentiful, for the fire! Fishermen can be seen out with their rods along Cullen Bay and also on the harbour." |
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 Cullen Golf Course. |
GOLF The 18-hole golf-course is within walking distance and we have some golf-clubs that you are welcome to use. They are not the latest model by any means, but you can still hit a few balls over the course with them, if you so wish. |
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Pebble Painting in the Seatown. |
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Places of interest along the coast include Culloden Moor and Fort George. See Pristan Cottage Visitors' Book for this and other suggestions.
In short, Cullen provides a haven of tranquillity far from the bustle of modern life. You can listen to the tide ebbing and flowing and enjoy the luxury of an open fire. |
Findlater Castle. |
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ON A GASTRONOMICAL NOTE Cullen has the finest home-made ice cream as well as fresh fish and chips (Fryer Tuck's Cabin at the top of the brae). Cluny Fish in Buckie sell lovely hot smoked salmon, cod roe, duck eggs and home made Scottish cheeses. Try Portsoy for John Donald's oatcakes. Delicious with blue cheese and mature cheddar. "Cullen Skink" is the local delicacy. It is made with smoked fish, milk, onions and potatoes. Have a look in the cottage for the exact recipe, or try the local pubs for a bowl of the famous soup. |
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SUGGESTED WALK - Cullen to Portknockie (return- 4 miles [7km])
Head west through the old Seatown, traditional home of the fisherfolk, taking the upper path above the imposing sweep of the sands of Cullen Bay. On your right on the seashore is the trio of rocks known as the Three Kings. Near the fine Cullen Bay Hotel, take the former railway line, and continue west with the golf course on the left. After a mile (1.5km, you’ll reach the little village of Portknockie. Walk along the road, turn right on to the main road, then right again (all in about 200m) to walk down to the tiny harbour. Follow the road round above the shore, and at the road end continue on the path around Scar Nose. Pass the colourfully named Whale’s Mouth and Bow Fiddle Rock, and refresh yourself from the clear waters of Jenny’s Well. The way ahead to Cullen Beach is clear, as is the sight of the magnificent railway viaducts. For generations these have been an admired historical feature of the Moray Coast. |
 Cullen Railway Viaduct. |
