Slains Castle and Cruden Bay Coastal Walk
Aberdeenshire
Dog friendly on a lead, this out and back coastal route climbs from Cruden Bay's long sandy beach up onto the clifftop path, weaves past the atmospheric ruins of New Slains Castle, Bram Stoker's inspiration for Dracula, and continues north along the unfenced cliff edge to the Bullers of Buchan, a huge collapsed sea cave rimmed by cottages with seabirds wheeling inside. The sea views are genuinely wild, and the beach at the start is one of the best on the east coast.
Dogs should stay on the lead along the clifftop sections because there are sheer, unfenced drops and the path runs very close to the edge in places. The beach at Cruden Bay is excellent for an off-lead run at the start or end of the walk. Livestock is light but fields are crossed at points so keep the lead on through those too. There is a cafe and pub in Cruden Bay, public toilets near the beach, and free parking by the church.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.9 km (5.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets, cafes and a pub in Cruden Bay; no facilities at the Bullers of Buchan beyond a small car park.
- Parking
- Free parking by the church in Cruden Bay (around 30 spaces); smaller free car park at the Bullers of Buchan (around 10 spaces).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Slains Castle and Cruden Bay Coastal Walk dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk, though they need to be kept on a lead for much of the route. It earns a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness — the clifftop path is spectacular but has sheer, unfenced drops, and there are a few fields to cross where livestock may be present. The highlight for dogs is probably Cruden Bay beach at the start or end, which is one of the best on the east coast and great for an off-lead run.
Can dogs be off lead at Slains Castle and Cruden Bay Coastal Walk?
Dogs can enjoy some off-lead time on Cruden Bay beach at the start or end of the walk, which is a long sandy stretch and well worth making the most of. The clifftop sections — including the path past Slains Castle and along to the Bullers of Buchan — require leads throughout, as the path runs very close to sheer, unfenced cliff edges in places. Keep leads on through any fields you cross too, in case of livestock.
What should I know before visiting Slains Castle and Cruden Bay Coastal Walk with my dog?
The most important thing to be aware of is the unfenced cliff edge — the path runs close to the drop in several places, so a lead is essential on the clifftop sections for safety. It's also worth knowing that fields are crossed at points along the route, so you'll need to keep your dog on the lead through those too. On the plus side, there's free parking by the church in Cruden Bay, public toilets near the beach, and a cafe and pub in the village if you need a stop before or after the walk.
What’s Nearby?
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