Portlethen can be explored through several distinct interests: its coastal landscape includes rugged cliffs and hidden coves, while other themes include nature conservation, paths and local history. These local themes offer different points of interest for planning your trip, without prescribing a single fixed itinerary.

Coast, nature conservation and paths

The nature theme has two distinct aspects. Portlethen’s coast is characterised by rugged cliffs and hidden coves. Portlethen Moss is a local nature conservation area. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between the coastal landscape and the local nature conservation theme, rather than treating them as the same interest.

The paths around Portlethen Church offer views of the harbour and the opportunity to join the coastal path. For walkers, the focus is therefore on harbour views and the option of reaching the coastal path. For cyclists, the Hillside Loop, a 2-mile cycling route in Portlethen, and National Cycle Route 1, which passes through the town, are different points of reference. A specific distance is given for the Hillside Loop; Route 1 passes through Portlethen.

Local history at different points of interest

A castle probably built in the 17th century once stood on the site of Portlethen Castle. No remains can be found there today. The history of the Castle therefore relates to an earlier building and its site, not to a surviving castle building. This differs from the history of places whose present-day appearance can be described.

The present-day Portlethen Church was built around 1840 as a Chapel of Ease. The Portlethen War Memorial commemorates those who fell in the First and Second World Wars. It is a tall, rectangular obelisk made of white granite. The church and the memorial thus offer different points of interest in local history: the church is notable for its date of construction and function, while the memorial is notable for its commemoration, form and material. The term “Chapel of Ease” refers to a chapel serving as an additional place of worship for people for whom the parish church was too far away; it therefore describes the church’s historical function as well as its date of construction.

The old harbour in Old Portlethen recalls the town’s seafaring tradition. Another historical connection is Causey Mounth Road, east of Portlethen: it was once the only route from the south to Aberdeen. The harbour and the road thus represent different aspects of local history—the seafaring tradition and an earlier land route. Together with the presumed castle site, the church and the War Memorial, they offer a range of historical themes for your trip rather than a single focus.

Discover more destinations: Pitmedden, Balmedie, Inchmarlo, Logie, Macduff, Aboyne, Braemar, Newburgh

For the overarching travel guide: Aberdeenshire.