Gannet Cottage

Nature

This area has an abundance of wildlife with all sorts of birds turning up for the breeding season on the cliffs. In 2005 the RSPB has taken over the only gannetry in mainland Scotland at nearby Troup Head, which is home to an estimated 1500 gannet nests and is visited by around 150,000 seabirds during the summer including puffins, guillemots and razorbills. Other birds sighting would include shags, cormorants, fulmars, herring gulls, black-headed gulls, black-backed gulls and eider ducks.

There is also plenty of marine mammals too, including common and grey seals, bottlenose dolphins, porpoises and minke whales, with the seals, dolphins and porpoises resident in the area all year round.

Here is a link to the Moray Coastal trail : http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_40722.html

Sport

Golf

Being in the North East of Scotland you are spoiled for Golf courses. Within a 40 mile radius there are numerous courses, ranging from links courses to inland courses. Both Macduff (7 miles) and Banff (9 miles) have 18 hole courses.

Fishing

For the keen angler, the River Deveron is in nearby Macduff, while sea fishing is available either from shore or boat, all round the coast.

Nearby Banff and Macduff offer more facilities including: ten pin bowling, outdoor bowls, tennis court, swimming pool.

Driving

One of the best kept secrets of this part of Scotland, is that driving is still a pleasure, with miles of country roads where you are more likely to be held up with the local tractor than hordes of other drivers. Within a short driving distance, making an ideal day out you have the Castle Trail as well as the Whisky Trail, taking you round the Castles and Distilleries of rural Scotland.

Shopping

Gardenstown itself has a limited range of shopping but it does have a butcher, baker and filling station. Supermarkets can be found in Macduff or Banff to the west or Fraserburgh to the east, or for a full day shopping visit the "granite city" of Aberdeen - one of the few major cities in Scotland with its own beach.

Eating Out

The Garden Arms Hotel in Gardenstown has a local pub and serves meals, and (in summer season only) there is a restaurant at the harbour. Pennan (6 miles) has the Inn offering food, complete with the local phone box outside made famous by the film "local hero". All of the larger towns nearby have an availability of hotel dining and speciality restaurants.

Other Attractions

Some other links for you to browse: