Things To Do
Discover the Local Area & Nearby Attractions
We’re lucky to be surrounded by some of the UK’s most beautiful beaches, estates and reserves, as well as having close access to a range of wonderful restaurants, cafes, pubs and local attractions.
Useful Resources
Before we dive into the specifics, here are a list of resources you may find useful while staying with us.
Dining Out
TripAdvisor’s Top 10
Things To Do
We have also provided a list of cafés, coffee shops and restaurants below.
Local Parks, Estates and Reserves
Explore all that nature has to offer nearby to Wildflower Eco Lodges.
RSPB Loch of Strathbeg
Strathbeg is a site of international importance comprising a shallow freshwater loch with surrounding wetland, dunes and grassland. Strathbeg is one of the best-known localities for migrant birds in Scotland. There are various hides that can be explored. There is also a Visitor Centre which offers a sightings board, telescopes and an area to sit and wait for birds to appear. The wild Konik ponies and foals can normally be seen too. There are toilets in the Visitor Centre and a self-serve coffee machine for a small cost.
Starnafin, Crimond AB43 8QN (5 minutes away)
Aden Country Park
230 acre Aden Park has been recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces with a prestigious Green Flag award. Situated in the heart of the park lies a semi-circular farmstead, housing the award-winning Aberdeenshire Farming Museum. Other facilities include a café/restaurant, gift shop, children’s play area, picnic and BBQ areas, walks and trails, Hareshowe Farm, Book of Deer visitor centre, SANDS, carers and sensory gardens, outdoor gym, dog agility and exercise area, horse arena, Victorian arboretum, parking and toilets.
Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, AB42 5FQ
Pitfour Lake/Forest of Deer/White Cow Wood/Drinnie's Wood
A day could be spent here alone, exploring the miles of woodland, tracks, open fields and the beautiful lake. There is also Pitfour Observatory, which is a viewing tower in Drinnie’s Wood. Access is available during the summer months. It is possible to park just North of Mintlaw to access Pitfour estate, or head to Fetterangus, which has a large parking area at Drinnie’s Wood.
Mintlaw, AB42 4NR (Drinnie’s Wood Carpark)
Strichen Park
Strichen Park has been lovingly created around a large pond and is home to many birds and some very delicate wild flowers. There are lots of walks of varying lengths for all abilities. The nearby Strichen Stone Circle is Fraserburgh’s very own Druid’s Temple (termed so by Samuel Johnson in 1773). It has been destroyed and rebuilt a number of times, latterly with the help of archaeologists (resource: www.DiscoverFraserburgh.com). There is a café and toilet facilities available at the park.
Strichen, Fraserburgh AB43 6TN
Haddo House & Country Park
A day out at Haddo has something for everyone. You can take a guided tour of Haddo House, discover the beautiful terraced gardens, walk for miles in the country park or let the kids burn off some energy in the adventure playground. Wildlife watchers can visit the two birdwatching hides and red squirrel feeding station, or spend the summer exploring the extensive wild flower meadows (resource: www.visithaddo.com). There is also a café and toilet facilities.
Methlick, Ellon, AB41 7EQ
Local Beaches
Mile after mile of beautiful sandy beaches to explore. Why not take a picnic and make a day of it, on your own or with friends and family. Perfect for dogs too.
St. Combs Beach/Rattray Head
St Combs beach is under 3 miles from the lodges. The sandy beach is backed by hills and a series of grassy dunes which stretch south all the way to Peterhead. If you turn left on the beach you can walk to the neighbouring villages; Inverallochy / Cairnbulg, where you can view the ship wreck that was used in the promotional material for the Life of Pi film. If you fancy a longer walk, you can turn right and walk to Rattray head lighthouse which is reportedly one of the most photographed lighthouses in Scotland. If you set out early in the morning there is a chance to see a beautiful sunrise as well as the possibility of spotting seals sleeping in the sands.
Gordon St, St Combs, Fraserburgh, AB43 8ZN
Fraserburgh Beach
Fraserburgh beach is also a lovely place to visit. It’s a long, golden, sandy beach starting at the south-eastern end of the town and stretching along the Aberdeenshire coastline to the point where the Moray Firth meets the North Sea. If you turn right once you are on the beach, you can walk to Tiger hill. It is a large sand dune that, once scaled, offers great views of the area. There is also a café, play area for children and a large carpark.
Harbour Rd, Fraserburgh, AB43 9TB
Waters of Philorth
This sandy beach is found some distance from the town area of Fraserburgh itself. Philorth is a popular recreational, surfing and windsurfing area with car parking facilities. The nature reserve is home to a small area of salt marsh and a sand pit, and attracts a variety of wildlife including wildfowl and seabirds. Philorth Beach is two miles south east of Fraserburgh on the B9033. The beach can be reached on foot from the nearby nature reserve car park and also from the beach at the Esplanade (1 mile) which is close to the town centre of Fraserburgh. The beach is also within a mile of the Formartine and Buchan cycle routes.
Fraserburgh, AB43 8TP
Beaches a little further afield...
Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay beach (30 minutes away) is stunning and well worth a visit together with Slains Castle which is really interesting to walk around and explore. It is an old castle ruin, which is widely acknowledged to have inspired Dracula’s castle, in Bram Stoker’s famous novel. Please take care when visiting this location especially with children and dogs.
On the A975, Peterhead, AB42 0NR (Slains Castle carpark)
Bullers of Buchan
If you are visiting the Cruden Bay area, it is highly recommended to visit here, you can walk along the cliff tops from Slain’s Castle or park at the car park and walk from there. The Bullers of Buchan is a collapsed sea cave, is home to many species of wildflower and is an important nesting site for colonies of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, puffins, fulmars, and kittiwakes. Other marine wildlife, including grey seals and dolphins, may also be observed in the bay or offshore. Extreme caution is advised when visiting here, particularly if walking with children or dogs. Car parking is available but note that there are no visitor facilities.
On the A975, 2 miles north of Cruden Bay, AB42 0NS
Crovie and Pennan
Both Crovie and Pennan are situated on the edge of the Aberdeenshire coastline, at separate locations, with just a single row of houses each. Pennan became famous in the 1980s for being used as one of the main locations for the film Local Hero, and representing the fictional village of Ferness. Film enthusiasts have come from all over the world to make a phone call in the red telephone box, which featured in the film.
New Aberdour Beach
This is a popular beach, with lots of space, and some fascinating limestone caves to explore. The caves distinctiveness made them a perfect location for the 2016 remake of Whisky Galore, which starred Eddie Izzard.
New Aberdour, Fraserburgh, AB43 6HR
Aberdeen Beach
Take a leisurely stroll along the beautiful stretch of Aberdeen’s sandy beach, ending in the east at Aberdeen Harbour. Renowned for receiving the Resort Seaside Award in 2013, Aberdeen Beach can be found by visitors a short distance from Aberdeen city centre. With plenty of parking, cafes, restaurants and entertainment options to explore, it’s an excellent choice for those venturing into the city for the day. Make sure to check out Footdee (“Fittie”), a quaint fishing village full of tiny granite cottages, located at the east end of Aberdeen Harbour.
Aberdeen City
Besides having a spectacular beach, Aberdeen itself is well worth at least a day’s exploration. Nicknamed The Granite City, due to the local stone used to build its many stunning buildings, there is far too much to see and do to list here. For more information on Aberdeen and the surrounding area, the following websites are very helpful:
Rainy Day/Indoor Activities
The weather in the North East can be unpredictable, but fear not, there’s lots to do on rainy days, sure to keep your spirits high!
Swimming Pools/Leisure
Fraserburgh Community & Sports Centre
Maconochie Pl, Fraserburgh, AB43 9TH
Visit Website | 01346 415886
Fraserburgh Leisure Centre
The Leisure Centre has a Restaurant, Bar, Function Venue, Gig/Concert Venue, Pool, Snooker, Meeting Room, 10 Pin Bowling, Indoor Carpet Bowls and a Private Nursery.
North Links, Seaforth St, Fraserburgh, AB43 9BB
Visit website | 01346 513110
Soft Plays/Entertainment
Attractions / Museums
Macduff Aquarium
This fascinating attraction leads you to discover the Moray Firth’s underwater habitats, with realistic displays taking you from the shoreline to the murky seafloor – you’ll meet hundreds of local fishy characters of all shapes and sizes. Look out for the shark hatchery and get hands on with seashore critters at the touch pools. Don’t miss seeing the feeding frenzy when divers jump in with the fish in the unique kelp reef tank! There is an audio tour, quizzes for the kids and a gift shop with souvenirs for all pockets. Enthusiastic staff will help make your visit memorable.
11 High Shore, Macduff, AB44 1SL
Visit website | 01261 833369
Peterhead Prison Museum
The former Victorian HM Convict Prison Peterhead is unique in that it sits within a 6 acre site, had the first state owned railway in the UK and part of the history saw the only time the SAS (Special Air Service) were used to end a domestic siege in mainland Britain. The museum highlights the work of the brave personnel that served here between 1888- 2013, you will visually see what “real” prison life was like, whilst listening to the officers speak of their experiences as part of the audio tour that accompanies your tour.
South Rd, Peterhead, AB42 2ZX
Visit website | 01779 581060
Fraserburgh Lighthouse Museum
The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses is an excellent day out. Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is the very first lighthouse on mainland Scotland (1787) and Kinnaird Head Castle contains the lighthouse and its purpose-built museum alongside, offering 30-minute guided tours. The Lighthouse museum also has a tearoom with stunning sea views, and a gift shop, which also doubles up as a tourist information centre.
Stevenson Rd, Fraserburgh AB43 9DU
Visit website | 01346 511022
Fraserburgh Heritage Centre
The Heritage Centre showcases the rich history of the Fraserburgh area, with exhibits including artefacts and information from the lives of local Thomas Blake Glover (Japanese Industrialist) and Bill Gibb (fashion designer). Fraserburgh’s fishing heritage, railway history and the ‘Broch’ in WW1 and WW2 are also featured, making this a fascinating visit.
Quarry Rd, Fraserburgh, AB43 9DT
Visit website | 01346 512888
Aberdeenshire Farming Museum
The Farming Museum has some great exhibits and information on farming techniques and machinery. There is also an area for little ones to play and create. Relive the story of Aberdeenshire’s colourful farming past in a unique, semi-circular home farm steading built around 1800. The Museum has a Recognised Collection of National Significance awarded by Museums Galleries Scotland.
Aden Country Park, Mintlaw, AB43 5FQ
Visit website | 01771 624590
Brewdog Ellon
Brewdog’s state-of-the-art brewery is located just 30 minutes away in Ellon. It is said to be one of the most technologically advanced in the world. Ellon is also home to their Overworks Brewery – dedicated to sour beer – the DogTap tap room, and the Lone Wolf distillery. Tours of the site are available via their website. There is also a Brewdog pub on the high street in nearby Peterhead.
Unit Balmacassie Industrial Estate, Ellon, AB41 8BX
Visit website | 01358 724933
Local Golf Courses
We are spoilt for choice in the Fraserburgh area, with some world-class courses to choose from. There are also driving ranges available at Fraserburgh, Berryhill and Longside.
Fraserburgh Golf Club and Rosehill
The seventh oldest links course in the world, established in 1777; in other words, a totally unspoiled, good old-fashioned traditional links layout. Rosehill is a 9-hole course, more parkland than dunes.
Inverallochy Golf Club
Another course with history, this time 120 years of it. Inverallochy is an 18-hole links course which boasts views of the sea on every hole. Although fairly short by modern day standards at 5,436 yards and having six par 3’s, it is nevertheless a testing challenge for any level of golfer. Being a traditional type of links course, the characteristics of each hole can drastically change depending on the wind direction, giving players a varied experience each time they play.
Fraserburgh, AB43 8TA
Visit website | 01346 582000
Rosehearty
Rosehearty nestles on rolling dunes on the outskirts of the fishing village of Rosehearty. Immediately adjacent to the beach and commanding panoramic views over the north sea the course has a rugged beauty that is most apparent when the elements conspire against you. The course is a mixture of parkland and links being situated on rolling hillocks close to the sea, giving it a links feel.
Castle St, Rosehearty AB43 7JJ
Visit website | 01346 571250
Angling/Boat Trips
We are surrounded by some of the UK’s most stunning coastal locations, so it makes sense that we have access to a number of on the water activities available for guests to enjoy.
Misty Angling Trips
Based out of Fraserburgh Harbour and available all year round (weather permitted). They offer four hour fishing/boat trips. Equipment hire is available.
Guide Charter Cruises
They offer fishing trips and wildlife watching tours on their two vessels, Guide (Fraserburgh) and Seacat (Macduff).
Operating from both Fraserburgh and Macduff Harbours, location details are available on their website.
Visit website | 07910 132686
Aberdeen Harbour Tours
There are a number of tours available from Aberdeen Harbour. You can see the local wildlife, the natural beauty spots, and/or visit Aberdeen Windfarm, getting you close up to the World’s most powerful Wind Turbines in Aberdeen Bay.
Greenhowe Marine Services, Aberdeen Harbour, AB11 5NT
Visit website | 07807 031018
Cafés/Coffee Shops/Restaurants
We have a number of fantastic eateries in the local area, a selection of which can be found below.
