Buchan has some magnificent beaches. At Cruden Bay a two-mile arc of golden sands can be reached by foot across the Ladies Bridge from Port Errol 

At Peterhead there is a small beach in the bay at the Lido; close to the Marina, Maritime Heritage Centre and caravan park. Peterhead’s other beach can be reached by crossing the river Ugie on the George Birnie footbridge bridge at the Golf Road car park. This is known locally as "going ower the watter" via "Birnie Brig".

Beyond the rocks of Craigewan just north of Peterhead it is the start of an eleven-mile stretch of golden sands and magnificent dune systems that go all the way to St Combs. There are access points to the sands off the A90 north from Peterhead at Scotstown (St Fergus), Rattray and St Combs.

There is a wealth of wildlife to be found. Grey Seals are around nearly all the time usually close to the shore and sometimes hauled out onto the beach, Minkie whales and dolphins have been seen further off shore. There is a constant movement of sea birds from gannets to skuas and shearwaters, eider duck to divers. There is a wide variety of plant life in the dunes and who knows what will turn up in the rock pools and on the high water line? 

Whether you want to walk, sit, picnic, surf or watch the waves crashing to shore - you will find more than enough golden sanded beaches to keep you happy:

Rattray dunes

 

Rattray beach - crashing waves

Rattray beach - surf Rattray - behind the dunes

Rattray dunes Rattray beach

   

St. Fergus Beach - wartime 'pill-box'

 

St. Fergus beach

   

  

Peterhead beach, maritime heritage centre (left) and marina (right)

An empty Peterhead beach

 

Jet-skiers at Peterhead

   

Cruden Bay beach across the golf-course