Cullen, Bow Fiddle Rock & Portknockie - Friday 22 March 2024
Route
Cullen - Seatown - Cullen Golf Club - Bow Fiddle Rock - Portknockie - Castle Hill - Cullen
Parking
The Square Car Park in Cullen (Free) which is on Seafield Street - there is free parking on both sides of the Square. The Grid Reference is NJ 51257 67112 and the nearest postcode is AB56 4SG.
Mileage
6.3 miles
Terrain
Good paths and tracks with some road walking on very quiet lanes.
Weather
Changeable all day from strong winds & hail to sunshine & blue skies.
Time Taken
3hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
587ft (179m)
Map
OS Explorer 425 - Huntly & Cullen
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Cullen - Seatown - Cullen Golf Club - Bow Fiddle Rock - Portknockie - Castle Hill - Cullen
Parking
The Square Car Park in Cullen (Free) which is on Seafield Street - there is free parking on both sides of the Square. The Grid Reference is NJ 51257 67112 and the nearest postcode is AB56 4SG.
Mileage
6.3 miles
Terrain
Good paths and tracks with some road walking on very quiet lanes.
Weather
Changeable all day from strong winds & hail to sunshine & blue skies.
Time Taken
3hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
587ft (179m)
Map
OS Explorer 425 - Huntly & Cullen
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
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GPX File
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Route Map
Our pre walk breakfast stop in Cullen at Lily's - and very nice it was too.
Quines & Loons at Cullen Toilets in The Square (Girls & Boys)
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Clearly Wee Poo Jock McPlop has a sense of humour
The Square in Cullen - parking is free here and there are spaces on the other side of the road
The village of Cullen is the originator of the famous soup of "Cullen Skink". The dish is made of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. An authentic Cullen Skink will use Finnan Haddock, but it may be prepared with any other undyed smoked haddock. Sometimes ocean perch or salmon are used in the soup. It is often served as a starter at formal Scottish dinners but is also widely served as an everyday dish across the northeast of Scotland. "Skink" is a Scottish word for a shin, knuckle, or hough of beef, which has developed the secondary meaning of a soup, especially one made from these. Having eaten some recently, it is very, very tasty.
The village of Cullen is the originator of the famous soup of "Cullen Skink". The dish is made of smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. An authentic Cullen Skink will use Finnan Haddock, but it may be prepared with any other undyed smoked haddock. Sometimes ocean perch or salmon are used in the soup. It is often served as a starter at formal Scottish dinners but is also widely served as an everyday dish across the northeast of Scotland. "Skink" is a Scottish word for a shin, knuckle, or hough of beef, which has developed the secondary meaning of a soup, especially one made from these. Having eaten some recently, it is very, very tasty.
The War Memorial in Cullen which is above the Car Park
From the Car Park we walked down towards the harbour underneath the viaduct ahead
The Mercat Cross in Cullen
A "Mercat Cross" is the name for the market cross found frequently in Scottish cities, towns and villages where historically the right to hold a regular market or fair was granted by the monarch, a bishop or a baron. It therefore served a secular purpose as a symbol of authority, and was an indication of a burgh's relative prosperity. Today, there are around 126 known examples of extant crosses in Scotland, though the number rises if later imitations are added. The cross was the place around which market stalls would be arranged, and where 'merchants' would gather to discuss business. It was also the spot where state and civic proclamations would be publicly read by the "bellman" (Town Crier). Now sited in the Square, the Cross was originally situated in Old Cullen, moved to Castle Hill in 1820 and subsequently to its present location in 1872. It dates from 1696 and incorporates a still older carving of the Virgin and Child.
A "Mercat Cross" is the name for the market cross found frequently in Scottish cities, towns and villages where historically the right to hold a regular market or fair was granted by the monarch, a bishop or a baron. It therefore served a secular purpose as a symbol of authority, and was an indication of a burgh's relative prosperity. Today, there are around 126 known examples of extant crosses in Scotland, though the number rises if later imitations are added. The cross was the place around which market stalls would be arranged, and where 'merchants' would gather to discuss business. It was also the spot where state and civic proclamations would be publicly read by the "bellman" (Town Crier). Now sited in the Square, the Cross was originally situated in Old Cullen, moved to Castle Hill in 1820 and subsequently to its present location in 1872. It dates from 1696 and incorporates a still older carving of the Virgin and Child.
Nothing to see here - just a horse's head hanging on a wall outside a shop
Passing underneath the Cullen Viaduct
The Cullen Viaduct is a former single-track railway viaduct. It contains 8 arches and formerly carried the Great North of Scotland Railway line between Portsoy in Aberdeenshire and Elgin in Moray. Crossing the Burn of Cullen and the A98, it was built as a result of a refusal by Seafield Estate, to the south, to have the line encroach on its land. Work on the viaduct was completed in 1886 and is now a Grade B listed structure. The line closed in 1968, and the viaduct is now used as a recreational path, part of the Moray Firth Trail and the Sustrans national cycle path.
The Cullen Viaduct is a former single-track railway viaduct. It contains 8 arches and formerly carried the Great North of Scotland Railway line between Portsoy in Aberdeenshire and Elgin in Moray. Crossing the Burn of Cullen and the A98, it was built as a result of a refusal by Seafield Estate, to the south, to have the line encroach on its land. Work on the viaduct was completed in 1886 and is now a Grade B listed structure. The line closed in 1968, and the viaduct is now used as a recreational path, part of the Moray Firth Trail and the Sustrans national cycle path.
Granda George's Train has a new driver today - Casey Jones eat your heart out
Again, nothing to see here - just a Carnotaurus head on top of a retail unit. After doing a bit of digging on the "tinterweb" I discovered that the dinosaur head is not part of the sale but can be purchased by separate negotiation. I'm glad that's cleared up! Apparently, Moray Council has ordered the proprietor to take it down however local residents have demanded that the authorities remove their own dinosaurs from the council first.
Cullen Harbour
Cullen Harbour looking to Seatown
A panorama of the eight arches of the Cullen Viaduct and the Burn of Cullen
Crossing the Burn of Cullen the route passes to the right of the clubhouse of Cullen Golf Club. We passed on the Burger!
Two of the red quartzite sea stacks known as "The Three Kings"
Looking along Cullen Sands towards Portknockie
As the tide was in we headed above the beach on a grassy path along the side of Cullen Links
Looking back to Cullen
The route heads through the Golf Course therefore watch out for stray balls
A track leads us through the Golf Course to the far end
The large, red sandstone rocks which are a feature of Cullen's Golf Course
The track through the Golf Course heads towards a bridge
Crossing the bridge over a small burn on Cullen Links
At the far end of the course a path heads gently up to the headland
From the top of the rise there is a fantastic view over the Golf Course back to Cullen
The natural arch at Toshie's Long Craigs known as "The Whale's Mouth"
The Widdies & Toshie's Long Craigs
The headland can be accessed from the Golf Course via a lower path also
A closer look at "The Whale's Mouth"
Rounding the headland at Scar Nose
At long last the impressive Bow Fiddle Rock comes into view
Bow Fiddle Rock
Bow Fiddle Rock is a natural sea arch and is so called because it resembles the tip of a fiddle bow. It is composed of Quartzite, a metamorphic rock which was originally quartz sandstone. This rock is part of the Cullen Quartzite formation which is seen along the coast between Buckie and Cullen. The formation is some 2,400m thick and dates from the Neoproterozoic Era, 1,000 to 539 million years ago. These rocks were folded when the ancient continents of Laurentia and Avalonia collided during the Caledonian orogeny. They later became exposed at the surface where sea and weather eroded the structure seen today. The rock formation is both a tourist attraction and nesting place for sea birds including herring gulls, great black-backed gulls and lesser black-backed gulls.
Bow Fiddle Rock is a natural sea arch and is so called because it resembles the tip of a fiddle bow. It is composed of Quartzite, a metamorphic rock which was originally quartz sandstone. This rock is part of the Cullen Quartzite formation which is seen along the coast between Buckie and Cullen. The formation is some 2,400m thick and dates from the Neoproterozoic Era, 1,000 to 539 million years ago. These rocks were folded when the ancient continents of Laurentia and Avalonia collided during the Caledonian orogeny. They later became exposed at the surface where sea and weather eroded the structure seen today. The rock formation is both a tourist attraction and nesting place for sea birds including herring gulls, great black-backed gulls and lesser black-backed gulls.
Angie & Fudge on the headland at Bow Fiddle Rock
Bow Fiddle Rock (Click Play to view)
We have had this on our bucket list for years - it did not disappoint
A path leads down to a small shingle beach
Bow Fiddle Rock from the beach
The view to Bow Fiddle Rock from the beach (Click Play to view)
The light for photography was just superb today
The three of us at Bow Fiddle Rock
A rather sad and forlorn boat near Portknockie
The large mosaic fish at Portknockie
The mosaics of the Herrings were designed and constructed by local artist Geoff Roberts to celebrate 2009 as the year of the Homecoming. Made from recycled tiles, the fish feature handprints from local people and cryptic images from the past and present story of the village. Homecoming Scotland 2009 was a series of events designed to attract people of Scottish ancestry to visit Scotland. The campaign, organised by Event Scotland and Visit Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, claimed that "for every single Scot in their native land, there are thought to be at least five more overseas who can claim Scottish ancestry." 2009 was also the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, the national poet. In addition to Burns-related events, the other four themes of the Homecoming were Scotland's culture and heritage, great Scottish minds and innovations, and golf and whisky.
The mosaics of the Herrings were designed and constructed by local artist Geoff Roberts to celebrate 2009 as the year of the Homecoming. Made from recycled tiles, the fish feature handprints from local people and cryptic images from the past and present story of the village. Homecoming Scotland 2009 was a series of events designed to attract people of Scottish ancestry to visit Scotland. The campaign, organised by Event Scotland and Visit Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, and part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, claimed that "for every single Scot in their native land, there are thought to be at least five more overseas who can claim Scottish ancestry." 2009 was also the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, the national poet. In addition to Burns-related events, the other four themes of the Homecoming were Scotland's culture and heritage, great Scottish minds and innovations, and golf and whisky.
Portknockie Harbour - home to some small part-time crab and lobster fishing boats although it is mainly used by leisure craft
Yes you really are seeing palm trees in North East Scotland
The memorial above the harbour commemorating all fishermen who lost their lives at sea
The War Memorial in Portknockie
Shut when we we were there but apparently the Fish & Chips are excellent
The square in Portknockie and it's time for lunch - Fudge has scoffed his and has gone into "scrounge" mode
Food of the gods
From Portknockie we headed back to Cullen via the disused railway track
The route passes under an old railway bridge as it nears Cullen
Cullen now in view as we continue along the old railway path
Looking down on our outward route from above Cullen Golf Club
Near Cullen the route passes over the top of the viaduct
The 19th Century Temple of Pomona
The Temple was built by William Robertson in 1822. It is a garden feature in the Cullen House estate. It sits on the hilltop and is a polished ashlar open rotunda that is built above, and supported by, a partially exposed circular basement tea room which was a private venue for ladies to take tea. There used to be a statue inside the Temple which was of a winged lady blowing a trumpet. This was lost sometime between 1939 and 1945. The building was restored in 1981 after a threat of demolition. It is also known as the Temple of Fame.
The Temple was built by William Robertson in 1822. It is a garden feature in the Cullen House estate. It sits on the hilltop and is a polished ashlar open rotunda that is built above, and supported by, a partially exposed circular basement tea room which was a private venue for ladies to take tea. There used to be a statue inside the Temple which was of a winged lady blowing a trumpet. This was lost sometime between 1939 and 1945. The building was restored in 1981 after a threat of demolition. It is also known as the Temple of Fame.
Cullen Harbour from the viaduct
The entrance to Castle Hill
Castle Hill at Cullen is a recently restored hill and viewpoint overlooking Cullen Bay offering panoramic views to Cullen, the Bin of Cullen and over 50 miles across the Moray Firth to Caithness and Sutherland. The Castle itself has long since crumbled away and the site is now a Motte, encircled by a wide ditch and outer rampart. Recent renovation works planned and undertaken by the Cullen Volunteer Group have seen over 500m of accessible pathways installed to provide access to Castle Hill. It has seats and picnic benches from which to sit back and enjoy the view.
Castle Hill at Cullen is a recently restored hill and viewpoint overlooking Cullen Bay offering panoramic views to Cullen, the Bin of Cullen and over 50 miles across the Moray Firth to Caithness and Sutherland. The Castle itself has long since crumbled away and the site is now a Motte, encircled by a wide ditch and outer rampart. Recent renovation works planned and undertaken by the Cullen Volunteer Group have seen over 500m of accessible pathways installed to provide access to Castle Hill. It has seats and picnic benches from which to sit back and enjoy the view.
The wheelchair friendly access path to Castle Hill
Looking back to the viaduct and Portknockie from Castle Hill
Approaching the top of Castle Hill
The fantastic viewpoint of Castle Hill
The face of doggie hunger after a great day out - how we miss seeing this little face