Cruden Bay

The village of Cruden Bay in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, lies on the north coast of the Bay of Cruden, in an area that has long been settled; as evidenced by nearby Catto Long Barrow, a massive stone structure now surrounded by agricultural fields. The past importance of Cruden Bay can be seen on the top of nearby cliffs where Slains Castle has stood since 1597. The catles was built to overlook the North Sea from the tall, sea-facing cliffs and although there has been significant reconstruction of the castle throughout its history, it remains unroofed for tax purposes. Cruden Bay’s location has made it favourable for more than just the building of castles; with a beautiful curve of coast and stunning views, Cruden Bay has long attracted visitors. Even before the coming of the railways, the village was attracting visitors and a small seaside resort was gradually developing alongside the fishing community.

Cruden Bay offers ample amenities and is within easy reach of larger towns and cities for additional choices for dining, shopping and leisure. Visitors come to Cruden Bay to enjoy the wonderfully diverse landscapes of the area, the abundance of outdoor activities that can be enjoyed locally, the long, unspoiled, beach, fantastic top-class golf course and of course, the impressive ruin of Slains Castle, the acknowledged inspiration for Bram Stoker’s “Dracula”.