Gardenston,  situated approximately halfway between the bustling city of Aberdeen with its shops, businesses and night life and Elgin with its beautiful cathedral and parks, is built on a steep hill leading down to a natural harbour  in Gamrie Bay situated in probably the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the North East.

Originally a fishing village with its own small fleet of herring boats it now is a base for leisure craft though there is still a number of small creel boats berthed there, fishing for lobster, crabs and, in season line fishing for mackerel.

      Overlooking the village is the ruined St Johns Kirk and graveyard with a history dating back to Viking times.

    A short walk along the coast brings you to Crovie ( pronounced Crivvie by locals) which is a tiny huddle of houses wedged between the cliffs and shore where a few hardy souls forced from their crofts during the infamous highland clearances, settled and changed their lifestyle from farming to fishing.

    A short drive further east will bring you to Pennan with its hotel and phone box featured in the film Local Hero, (Though the bar scenes were shot in The Ship Inn in nearby Banff).

    Nearby on the stunning cliffs is the only mainland gannet colony in Scotland and the R.S.P.B. have recently taken over the land and are improving footpaths to it.

    The colony is seen best however from the sea and there are boat trips available which along with the gannets allow you to see , common gulls, black backed gulls, puffins, herring gulls, razor bills, skuas, peregrine falcons, and other fascinating birds. These trips also will allow you the chance to see the marine animals that are found in this part of the Moray Firth including harbour porpoise, dolphins , seals and minke whales. See

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 A short drive away is the Royal Borough of Banff with its historic buildings and the former home of the Duke of Fife, Duff House. This is now an extension of the National Gallery for Scotland and within the magnificent home designed and built by William Adam you will find a fascinating display of period furniture complimenting an excellent collection of paintings including works by El Greco, Gainsborough,  and Sir Henry Raeburn. (Details on www.duffhouse.org.uk)

        Banff also offers a new yaughting  marina and sandy links drawing surfers from all over the country.

       In Gardenston you are also well placed to join either the “whisky trail” or “castle trail” more details of which are available on www.visitscotland.com.

       For golfers there are the nearby Royal Tarlair club in Macduff and Duffhouse Royal in Banff along with the Myrus Driving Range at Macduff..

       Anglers are spoilt for choice with the possibility of salmon fishing  in the Deveron, course fishing at Loch Soy in nearby Portsoy, several man made lochs for rainbow trout, and the opportunity of sea fishing boat trips or from the rocks.

        Macduff can also offer a busy working harbour, a very child friendly aquarium, ten pin bowling and Bingo!

         SEE YOU IN THE RAILWAY!

Cheers

Lindsay

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So for that Holiday away from the stress and hassle of every Day.