A couple of miles north of the coast of Cruden Bay lies the Bullers o' Buchan, a marine erosion with some of the most impressive cliff-side views in Britain. The name is probably derived from 'boilers', referring to the seething waters that impact against the bottom of these majestic cliffs. The sea through time has carved caves and inlets into the cliffs, making them spectacular to walk round.

Following the coastal path North to Boddam takes you over Longhaven Cliffs. The pinky-red granite of Longhaven Cliffs rise up to 60m, sheer from the sea. Constant pounding from the waves of the North Sea has formed this heavily-faulted granite into inlets, stacks, caves and arches. In summer, visitors are greeted by the tremendous noise and smell of the large seabird colonies on the cliffs. Many thousands of birds breed along this stretch of coastline. At Longhaven, kittiwakes and guillemots are the most numerous. Razorbills, shags, puffins and herring gulls also nest here, as do fulmars, which have the habit of spitting foul-smelling oil at intruders, if provoked! Gannets from nearby Troup Head can be seen diving out at sea.

In the hostile condition of the cliff top an unusual form of coastal heath has developed, with plants such as bell heather, crowberry, devil’s-bit scabious and grass-of-Parnassus. Grey seals frequent the sheltered inlets. Porpoise, dolphin and minke whale are occasionally seen. The breeding sea-bird colonies are a spectacular sight. Evidence of the old quarry workings can be seen on the reserve. Look out for ruined dynamite storage sheds.

The path South of the Bullers to Slains Castle and Cruden Bay are equally spectacular, passing Dunby, an island with a fantastic arch, the Bows, the Dunnons and Stirling Crags before arriving at Port Errol in Cruden Bay

Below: The Bow of Pitwartlachie:

This is what the Sunday Times had to say on 10th May 2004 in the article "Top 10 Breaks in Scotland"

"BEST COASTAL WALK "

Bullers of Buchan, Aberdeenshire 

Why? Fantastic birds, awesome cliffs, and a chasm described by Boswell as a “monstrous cauldron”. From the sandy beach at Cruden Bay, head north along the coastal path, passing the huge pink-granite ruin of Slains Castle, the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula. From here, it’s another two and a half miles along the towering clifftop path to the Bullers itself, a giddying chasm dropping about 200ft to the sea below. Creep around the rim, remembering to remove your heart from your mouth for the final hour or so, past stacks, caves, inlets and arches, along the cliffs to Longhaven Cliffs Nature Reserve.’