Balmedie is a coastal destination shaped by its dunes and beach. The dunes form part of a 15-mile dune system of local and national importance. Alongside the beach, the area offers other ways to enjoy your stay: routes in the country park, historic remains and activities with different focuses.

Explore the Beach and Dunes

Balmedie Beach is particularly long and wide. Clean, golden sand is bordered by grassy dunes. From the main car park, a 1,700-metre wooden boardwalk leads into a dune landscape overlooking Balmedie Beach. The main car park is therefore a clear reference point for access to this coastal area. The beach has received the Keep Scotland Beautiful Seaside Award for its cleanliness, the quality of its facilities and its good management.

The two lengths describe different scales: the 15 miles refer to the dune system, while the 1,700 metres refer to the boardwalk from the main car park. Together, they show both the wider landscape and a specific stretch of path.

Routes and Orientation in the Country Park

There are five recommended routes in Balmedie Country Park. The treasure trail in the village offers something different: it takes about an hour and includes six clues hidden around the village. The park routes offer a choice, while the treasure trail is a clearly defined activity for a set amount of time during your stay.

The park also has play areas. The Sand Bothy provides visitor information about Balmedie Country Park, its flora and fauna, and the wider area. This information broadens the focus from the routes to the natural environment and its surroundings.

Historic Traces Along the Coast

Historic remains can be found in the dunes and on the beach. A historic ice house still stands in the dunes, and four wartime pillboxes remain on the beach. Salmon fishing is also part of the history of this coast: it was a common occupation here in the 19th and 20th centuries. The built remains are found in different parts of the coastal landscape, while the fishing history adds an account of a former livelihood at sea.

Golf, Coastal Routes and Beach Wheelchairs

Golf enthusiasts can visit Trump International Golf Links, Scotland in Balmedie, which has two championship golf courses. Cyclists and walkers can use routes connecting Balmedie with nearby coastal villages. The offerings differ in focus: the golf courses are in Balmedie, while the cycling and walking routes connect to the coastal villages.

Balmedie Beach Wheelchairs offers a range of beach wheelchairs for free hire to people with reduced mobility or disabilities that prevent them from enjoying the beach. The service is open from April to October on Saturdays and Sundays, from 12 noon to 3 pm. Check the schedule before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Kintore, Chapel Of Garioch, Macduff, Bridge Of Don, New Deer, Portsoy, Tyrie, Cruden Bay.

For the wider travel overview: Aberdeenshire.