Gardenstown
In and around Gardenstown 
Gardenstown and Crovie 
Banffshire Coast Leaflet (500K)Seabirds are well adapted to living on the nooks and crannies of cliffs. In Gardenstown you’ll find that the buildings have also managed to adapt themselves to clinging to steep slopes.
While nearby Crovie and Pennan exist on ledges between the sea and the cliff faces, Gardenstown has managed to spread ‘upwards’. This version of architectural gymnastics means that Gardenstown – or Gamrie as it is known locally – has grown larger than its neighbours. The oldest buildings are closest to the sea, with subsequent tiers of housing added through the centuries – giving a cliff sort of construction showing the timeline of the town.
You’ll see signs for Gamrie – pronounced Game-ray – as well as Gardenstown as this was the village’s original name. Many of the original fisher’s dwellings remain. When a storm in the 1950’s almost swept Crovie away, many people moved to Gardenstown increasing its population. The coastal path which was washed away then reinstated provides an accessible cliff top walk between the two hamlets – with the opportunity to watch dolphins in the bay or the plentiful seabirds en route.
Most fishing boats are now long gone, but there is still the occasional working boat which ties up alongside the increasing numbers of pleasure craft in the harbour. There is also a beautiful sandy beach to the west of Gardenstown; the sort of beach typical of the Banffshire Coast rugged rocks and fine sand. Banffshire’s beaches are arguably amongst the finest in Scotland.
The Banffshire Coast never ceases to surprise with its rich historic heritage. Visit the ruin of St John’s Kirk which dates from 1513 where the skulls of defeated Norsemen were displayed in an opening in the wall east of the pulpit following the 1004 defeat of the Danes at Bloodymires Farm.
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