Sandend Cottage, Banff - Aberdeen City and Shire, sleeps 5 and has 3 bedrooms

Set in the picturesque ‘get-away-from-it-all’ fishing village of Sandend, between the pretty harbour towns of Cullen and Portsoy, this cottage has stunning views over the wide sandy beach from the kitchen, lounge and two front bedrooms. The elevated garden terrace and summer house, again with stunning views, are ideal for outdoor entertaining and barbeques. The enclosed garden and back utility/’wet’ area, along with fantastic coastal walks, makes this an ideal cottage for dog owners or walkers.

Children are welcome, but should not be left unattended in the garden – although fenced in, there are some drops from the elevated terrace. However, with a modern kitchen and totally refurbished bathroom, along with all the modern facilities you would expect, we are sure you will enjoy a break on the beautiful Banffshire Coast. This part of the North East of Scotland also lends itself to day trips, exploring the Castle trail, or partaking in a dram along the Whisky Trail or perhaps getting close to the dolphins and other wildlife along the Moray Firth.

Sandend is a 17th century fishing village, one of the smallest and perhaps one of the most attractive along the Banffshire coast. It is known by the privileged few as a mecca for surfers and kayakers and occupies a beautiful location opposite a pretty beach, perfect for catching the waves or just building castles in the sand. At its east end is the newly re-opened Glenglassaugh Distillery, founded in 1875 but mothballed in 1986. Nearby are the remains of the Glassaugh Windmill, built in the early 1700s. Still standing are a stump surrounded by a lower base: which explains its local name of the cup and saucer.

Nearby Portsoy is a vibrant town, attractive with it’s twisting streets around the 17th century harbour. It has a number of pubs and restaurants as well as local shops and a small supermarket. It is also the home of the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival http://www.stbf.bizland.com/2010/ which takes place at the end of June.

In the other direction Cullen is also worth a visit. Driving from Sandend, the cluster of cottages making up Seatown along with a wide expanse of sandy beach, are majestically framed by the arches of the disused railway viaduct. Cullen is famed as the home of ‘Cullen Skink’ – a lovely thick potato and smoked haddock soup, as well as one of the best ice cream shops in the area.

Just a minute or two inland from Sandend, is the historic village of Fordyce. Here you will find a magical place, a warren of narrow streets still following a medieval plan, all wrapped around a magnificent centrepiece, Fordyce Castle, simply sitting on a bend in the village street. Parts of the old church yard date back to 1272 and the old bell tower has served as a prison, but now houses information panels about the village. A new addition to the village is Annie’s, an enchanting little gift and coffee shop in her dining room – small but full of interesting gifts with great soup, sandwiches and homebakes.

This property has been advertised on My Favourite Holiday Cottages since 29-08-2011