Gamrie Chalets

Explore Gamrie

A Setting That Speaks for Itself

Gardenstown is one of those rare places that lives up to every photograph. Stone cottages step down the cliff face toward a working harbour, and high above it all sits Gamrie Chalets, with uninterrupted views across the full sweep of the Moray Firth.

From your balcony, bottlenose dolphins roll through the water below. On clear winter nights, the Northern Lights shimmer green along the horizon. There's no better seat in the house than your own with binoculars in hand, coffee going cold, time slowing right down.

Coastal walks begin at your doorstep. Cafés and restaurants wait a short stroll away in the village. And when you're ready to roam further, the Malt Whisky Trail and the wider North East Coast 250 are yours to explore at whatever pace suits you.

Beaches & Coastal Walks

Beaches & Coastal Walks

Beaches and coastal walks are some of the main attractions along the 30 mile coastline. Clean water and soft sand make these spots popular for wild swimming and body boarding.

  • Gardenstown Beach — nearest to the chalets, sandy, accessible with a gentle curve
  • Pennan Village — a rugged village with houses built gable-end to the sea
  • Inverboyndie — a sand beach with access via a path, recognized for its Keep Scotland Beautiful Seaside award
  • Whitehills — a rock beach, accessible via a path
  • Portsoy — a popular sand and rock beach, accessible from the Portsoy Caravan car park
  • Sandend Bay — a popular sandy beach, accessible via a path and boardwalk, suitable for families and surfers
Wildlife

Wildlife

With such a range of natural wildlife on land, in the sea and in the air, visitors can choose to watch from afar or get up close.

Heritage & History

Heritage & History

The proximity of Scotland's northern coastline to the Scandinavian countries means our heritage over the many centuries has been influenced by these neighbours.

  • St John's Church, Gamrie — commemorates the Scots' victory over the Danes at the Battle of the Bloody Pits in the 10th century
  • Banff Castle — transitioned from a 12th-century motte-and-bailey fortress to the stunning Georgian mansion designed by John Adam in 1750
  • Duff House, Banff — one of the largest and finest stately homes in the area, was designed by renowned architect Robert Adam and is now cared for by Historic Scotland
  • Slains Castle — the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula, is free to those wanting to enjoy its spooky remains
  • Findlater Castle — built in the mid-1200s, this clifftop ruin reflects Scotland's need for strong coastal defences. Strengthened by King Alexander III ahead of a planned invasion by King Håkon IV of Norway, it marks another link to the area's Danish and Norse past
Harbours & Fishing Ports

Harbours & Fishing Ports

  • Gardenstown Harbour — a small, working harbour right below the chalets, still used by local fishing boats and lobster creels
  • Banff Harbour Marina — a historic harbour dating back to the 17th century, now home to a mix of small working fishing boats and leisure craft
  • Fraserburgh Harbour — one of the area's largest working fishing ports, dating back to the 16th century and still supporting a busy fishing fleet today
  • Peterhead Port Fish Market — home to Europe's largest fishing port and the UK's busiest whitefish market, where millions of pounds of fresh seafood are landed and traded daily
Whisky Distilleries

Whisky Distilleries

Speyside is home to some of Scotland's finest malt and blended whisky. Nearby distilleries offer tours of their operations, including tasting experiences and that all-important gift shop.

  • Glenglassaugh Distillery — roughly 30 minutes from Gardenstown, this distillery was built in 1875 near the Glassaugh Spring, known for its pure water supply
  • Strathisla Distillery — 45 minutes from Gardenstown, this distillery is known for producing the Chivas Regal brand
  • Speyside Cooperage Visitor Attraction — roughly an hour by car from Gardenstown, this facility shows where whisky barrels are made and repaired
  • The Macallan Estate — a 1 hour 15 minute drive from Gardenstown, this distillery has a new visitor centre
Scenic Driving

Scenic Driving

North East 250 Route – the NE250 Trail – takes cars around the scenic coast from the road, exploring six of Scotland's most inspiring regions. Drivers and passengers will see a range of castles and ruins, whisky distilleries, and fishing villages as you travel between coastal villages and beaches and mountain roads.

An approximate route through the trail's regions — see the official NE250 map for the exact signed route.

Hiking & Walking

Hiking & Walking

Whether you want a brisk hike or a casual wander, the surrounding area offers many options. Some will require suitable footwear and for the Scottish weather, we always recommend being prepared for sudden changes to the forecast. Walkers may want to use the what3words app to geo locate their movements. Here's a selection of nearby options.

Local Hospitality

Local Hospitality

Scottish hospitality is known throughout the world, and local venues here offer a range of seasonal events.

After a day exploring, come back to a warm chalet and a view that changes with every visit.