Cullen to Whitehills
Local Geodiversity site | Aberdeenshire
Scotland's geosites are chosen because of their local, national or international importance. Take only photos, leave only footprints: avoid causing any damage to this site. You can walk almost anywhere in Scotland without the need to ask permission or keep to paths, but you have a responsibility to care for your own safety, to respect people's privacy and peace of mind and to cause no damage.
The right of access does not extend to quarries, building sites or any land where public access is prohibited, or to the collection of geological samples.
Summary
Coastline with maritime grassland, steep cliffs and rocky intertidal shores. Important for diversity of plants and invertebrates. Old Red Sandstone cliffs. Boyne Quarry has exposures of glacial and interglacial features.
Site information
Access
Old Hythe Bay is accessed by following path past Boyne Quarry to Boyne Bay. From the beach a short scramble westwards over a grassy knoll allows access to Old Hythe Bay, not suitable for anyone with disabilities.
Readily accessible from a well-maintained road, the car park is not only spacious, but also gives a great view of the coast, and sheer.
Further information
https://www.scottishgeologytrust.org/geology/51-best-places…
The impressive Portsoy Sheer is documented on the Scottish Geology Trust website.
There are many amenities in the nearby Whitehills, including a fish and chip shop.
Safety notes
Use caution around the disused lido - many of the rocks are very slick, and rotting seaweed can create a sulphuric scent, towards the northern end of the lido.
Related geosites
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Tourmaline mineralisation in pegmatite. East Head, east of Portsoy.,
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Dalradian aged pothole filled with ORS breccia.
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East side Sandend Bay, Red Haven. ORS unconformably sat on Fordyce Limestone Formation.
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Folded and refolded metalimestones, calcareous semipelites and calc-silicate beds, Boyne Castle Limestone Member. SE side of Old Hythe Bay.
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Cowhythe Psammite Formation, folded psammites and semipelites. West side of Old Hythe Bay. Small amount of scrambling required.
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Closeup photograph of folded and refolded metalimestones, calcareous semipelites and calc-silicate beds, Boyne Castle Limestone Member. SE side of Old Hythe Bay.
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
15 centimetre ruler for scale
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
15 centimetre ruler for scale
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
Cliff face in the lido
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
Rock pool inside the lido
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
Cliff face on the beach
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
15 centimetre ruler for scale
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
15 centimetre ruler for scale
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
Road leading to the car park
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
Disused lido
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
Path leading from the car park
Rowan Barnes
Nov. 10, 2024
View out from the shore