What Is Crovie?
Crovie is a village on the coast of Aberdeenshire that feels like going back in time. It is between cliffs and the North Sea. There is a row of houses that face the water. You will not find any shops or pubs in Crovie. There are no modern things in Crovie and that is why people like to visit it. For people who like places in Scotland with a lot of character Crovie is a great place to go. Crovie is a great place to visit because it is so quiet and peaceful.
Location. Where Is Crovie Village in Aberdeenshire
Crovie is on the coast of the Moray Firth. It is twenty-five miles north of Aberdeen. It is in Gamrie Bay under cliffs that block the wind. You can visit towns like Banff and Fraserburgh if you want to go to Crovie for the day. The fact that Crovie is hard to get to is part of what makes it so nice. When you get to Crovie you will feel really peaceful and quiet.
Why People Like Crovie So Much
There are no places in Scotland that have as much history as Crovie. The village is very small. It has a lot of character. The houses are all in a row. The sea is right next to them. People who write about travel and take pictures love Crovie. They think it is one of the charming places on the coast of Scotland. Crovie is a special place because it is so quiet and old. It feels like a place from a storybook. People like to visit Crovie because it’s so different from other villages.
The History Behind This Fishing Village
This place was a community that relied on the sea for everything. People worked here because of the boats and the fish in the North Sea. If you know what this village was like a long time ago you will appreciate it more when you visit. Every rock and every path has a story to tell about how hard life was then.
Origins as an 18th-Century Crofting Settlement
This village has been around since the 1700s. Then people got kicked off their farms to make room for sheep. These people had to move to the coast and start fishing. At first they worked on boats that belonged to people who lived nearby. They did not get to keep much of the money they made. Over time some of these fishermen saved up enough money to buy their own boats. By the 1800s there were many boats in this harbour that belonged to people who lived in the village.
The Great Storm That Changed Everything
One big storm changed everything in January 1953. The storm was so bad that it destroyed boats and houses. It even washed away the path that led to the village. After that night the fishing industry was never the same. Most of the families who made a living from fishing moved to another place. What was left of the village became a place where people lived and visited on holiday. The Fishing Village became a place that people valued for its history and its beauty not, for the fish. The Fishing Village is still a special place because of its history and the people who used to live there.
Architecture and Village Layout
The Architecture and Village Layout of this place is really something. What makes it look so great in pictures is the way it was built. Every single thing about the way it was designed shows that the people who built it had to deal with a coastline that’s really rough and windy.
Gable-End Houses Facing the Sea
The Gable-End Houses that face the Sea are a part of what makes this place look so good. Most of the houses here were built with the pointy end of the roof facing right out at the water. This was not just a way to make them look nice. It was actually a way to protect the houses from the strong wind and saltwater that comes in from the sea. The way the houses are laid out also means that the people who live here can easily keep an eye on their boats from their homes. Nowadays this special way of building the houses is one of the reasons that the village is so pretty in pictures.
Why Vehicles Are Not Allowed Along the Shore
The reason you do not see Vehicles along the Shore is because the path in front of the houses is just too narrow for cars or vans or motorbikes. The people who live here still use wheelbarrows to move their groceries and furniture and other things along the seafront. For people who are visiting it is a strange thing to see. But for the people who live here it is just a normal part of life. The fact that you do not see cars along this part of the shore is part of what makes the village feel like it is stuck in time. That is something that brings people back to visit again and again.
How to Reach This Coastal Village
You need to plan to get here because it is not near big roads or places where people catch buses and trains. The good thing is that the way here is really nice and you get to see some lovely parts of Aberdeenshire.
How to Get Here from Aberdeen and Banff
Most people come here by car from Aberdeen. They follow the roads along the coast to Banff and then to Gardenstown. Then you have to go down a road that winds down to the sea. There are no signs to show you the way so it is a good idea to have a GPS or a map that you can use without the internet. The drive is really nice. You can see a lot of nice countryside and cliffs before you even get to the village.
Where to Park and How to Get to the Beach
You have to leave your car in a car park at the top of the hill which is above the houses. Then you have to walk down a path or some stairs to get to the beach. It is okay for most people to walk down. It is harder to walk back up. You should wear shoes especially if it has been raining because the path can be slippery.
Things to Do Near the Village
The village is an peaceful place.. The coastline around the village is really nice. It has cliffs and quiet little coves. There are a lot of birds in this area. So the coastline is worth visiting. You can walk around the coastline. Then go to some other places near the village. This way you can have a long day out near the village.
Visiting the Clifftop Viewpoint for Photography
The Clifftop Viewpoint is a place to take pictures. It is above the houses. You can see the whole row of cottages the cliffs and the sea all in one picture. The best time to take pictures is early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the light is nice. The Clifftop Viewpoint is also a place to just stop and look at the view before you head down.
Exploring Troup Head Seabird Reserve
Troup Head is not far from the village. It is a great place to visit. Troup Head is a place where birds live and it has big red cliffs. There are thousands of birds like gannets and guillemots that live there when they have babies. You can walk on the trails along the top of the cliffs. You can see the birds without bothering them. People who love animals often visit Troup Head when they come to the village so they can have a day out.
Cullykhan Bay and the Sea Cave Nearby
Cullykhan Bay is a quiet place to walk. It has a beach and it is not usually crowded. There is also a sea cave near Cullykhan Bay that the water has carved out over time. The sea cave is called Hell’s Lum. Both Cullykhan Bay and the sea cave are places to visit when you are walking along the coast. They are easy to get to. They are not usually crowded, even in the summer when more people are around.
Nearby Villages Worth Exploring
The area around Aberdeenshire has a lot of villages by the sea. Each village has its special things about it and its own history. When people visit this area they often like to see more than one village. This helps them understand what life is like in this part of the country. You can walk to the next village and it is usually not very far. Each village is a little different. It has its own story. If you take the time to visit a few of these villages you will have an interesting day. You will see things and remember your trip to Aberdeenshire better.
The Coastal Path to Gardenstown
There is a path along the coast that connects this village to Gardenstown. The walk takes 20 to 30 minutes at a slow pace. You can see cliffs and the open sea on way. Gardenstown is a village with some shops and a nice harbour to explore. Gardenstown village has a harbour. Pennan is another fishing village. People like to visit Pennan because it was in a movie. Pennan village has houses lined up in rows.
Where to Stay in the Area
The thing is, there are not a lot of amenities on site so most people decide to stay in the village or in a town that’s close by. Staying in the area for the night is really different from visiting for the day especially when it gets quiet in the evening and all the crowds are gone. There are some towns near the area like Banff and Gardenstown that have a lot of options for people who want to be able to walk to shops and restaurants. Both ways are good. It just depends on what the person likes. Do they want it to be really quiet or do they want to have some things to do close by.
Self-Catering Cottages and Holiday Lets
We have some nice places to stay. Some of the fishing cottages are now Self-Catering Cottages and Holiday Lets. If you stay in one of the Self-Catering Cottages and Holiday Lets you can see what it is like when it is quiet at night after all the people who came for the day have gone home. You should book one of the Self-Catering Cottages and Holiday Lets early like before summer because they get booked up fast. Most of the Self-Catering Cottages and Holiday Lets still look old on the outside. They have new things inside to make your stay comfortable.
Nearby B&Bs and Accommodation Options
If you like having things to do Banff and Gardenstown have bed-and-breakfasts and small guesthouses that are close by. These are places to stay when you want to explore the coastline for a few days. A lot of the people who own these places are happy to tell you about the area show you where to walk and tell you about things to see nearby. This is good for people who want to be comfortable and also want to be able to get to quieter places.
Best Time to Visit
The time to come is from late spring to early autumn. The weather is usually calm. It is easy to walk along the cliffs. In the summer a lot of people come to visit. There are a lot of seabirds at Troup Head. You can still come in the winter but it is very windy. The days are short. It is very quiet. People who like taking pictures like to come during the times when it’s not summer or winter because the light is soft and there are not as many people around.
Tips, for Visiting Responsibly
This is a place where people live. It is nice to be considerate of them and of the people who will come after you. If you stay on the paths and do not go near people’s homes it helps keep the area peaceful. If you park your car in the designated places it helps keep the roads clear for the people who live here and for the delivery trucks. If you take your trash with you and do not make much noise you can help keep this beautiful coastal spot nice for a long time.
Conclusion
This little village in Aberdeenshire is a special place. It has a lot of history and the scenery is just amazing. You can really feel the peace and quiet here. The village started out as a place where people did crofting. Then a big storm changed everything. Every part of the village has a story to tell. You should learn about these stories before you get here. There are some places to visit near the village too like Troup Head and Gardenstown. These places give you more reasons to spend the whole day exploring around here. If you are looking for something and do not want to be around a lot of tourists then this village is a great choice. It is one of the places to visit on the coast of Scotland.
FAQs
1. Is Crovie worth visiting?
Yes Crovie is a place to visit. It gives you a look at what life was like in the 18th century. The scenery is also really beautiful.
2. Can I drive into the village?
No you can’t drive into Crovie. You have to park your car at the top of the hill. The path by the sea is too small for cars.
3. How many houses are in Crovie?
Crovie has a few dozen houses. They are all lined up along the beach.
4. Can I. Shop in Crovie?
No there aren’t places to eat or shop in Crovie. You should go to Gardenstown or Banff if you want to eat or buy things.
5. How can I visit Crovie and other places?
You can visit Crovie, Troup Head and Cullykhan Bay in one day. This way you can see a lot of the Aberdeenshire coast.
