Catterline Bay

This little crescent of shingle with its tiny harbour lies a few miles to the south of the town of Stonehaven. Remote and only accessible by narrow twisting lanes Catterline Bay is a pretty little spot that feels well off the beaten track.

It is said that the beach was the landing point for the 5th century missionary Saint Ninian who came to convert the Picts to Christianity.

The little cove’s more recent history is of fishing, although this dates back many hundreds of years. The stone pier dates back to 1810 when a fleet of boats operated from here. Back in those days many locals also reputedly had a sideline in smuggling.

As fishing declined the village unexpectedly became something of a hub for artists, the best known of which was Joan Eardley. 

Over recent years Catterline has become host to the Gala Weekend, the best known feature of which is the Catterline Cartie Challenge - a soapbox cart race down to the harbour.

Set above the beach is the Creel Inn, providing fish and seafood along with great views over the North Sea. Not exactly a beach cafe, but a great spot for a post-beach dinner.