Sandend Harbour

Sandend Harbour

Sandend enjoys a lovely position at the end of a broad sandy bay which is a most popular beach for visitors and especially surfers.

It is thought that the village of Sandend goes back to 1624, although the traditional fishermen’s cottages, which create a picturesque scene, were built around the early 19th century.  At this time the tiny harbour, recognised as one of the smallest in Scotland, enjoyed a successful fishing industry. Despite the small size of the harbour, at least 16 boats worked out of Sandend, sailing as far north as Stronsay and Lerwick in the summer and in the winter staying closer to home in the Moray Firth. Fish are still cleaned and cured in the village although today’s fishing fleet is based in Buckie or further afield.

The present harbour was built at the end of the 19th century.  The funds required for the venture were paid for with money from local fishermen. In 2009 the harbour was taken over by the Sandend Harbour Trust Company Ltd, as a charity, and it has been improved with the help of grants.

Close by to Sandend, visitors might be interested in Duff House (Banff) or Glenglassaugh Distillery to the east or Findlater Castle a ruin situated to the west between Sandend and Cullen.