4.4
(405)
3,458
hikers
77
hikes
Hiking around Arbuthnott offers diverse landscapes, blending rolling agricultural land with significant natural features. The area is nestled within the Bervie Water Valley, characterized by older woodlands and riverine habitats. Located approximately 2.5 miles northwest of Inverbervie, Arbuthnott provides access to the rugged Scottish coastline, featuring dramatic sea cliffs. Distant views of the Grampian Mountains can also be enjoyed from various points.
Last updated: June 30, 2026
4.8
(16)
150
hikers
3.58km
01:00
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
3.5
(2)
29
hikers
4.25km
01:04
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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5.0
(1)
18
hikers
5.05km
01:20
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
15
hikers
6.68km
01:46
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
9
hikers
6.75km
01:51
110m
110m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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The Gourdon Survival Station – small, blue, and absolutely essential for survival! Right on the harbor wall in Gourdon, you'll find everything you need for survival – in a charmingly Scottish miniature version: • 🥫 The Storage Box – A food donation box. Open, honest, and supportive. If you're hungry, help yourself. If you have anything left over, put it in. Works better than some refrigerators! • 📚 The Little Free Library – A blue bookcase with anchor decorations, packed with crime novels, children's books, and romantic dramas. For your mind when the weather turns to "horizontal rain" again. • ⚡ The Defibrillator – Safely stored in an old telephone booth with a retro mosaic. If the thrill of a JD Kirk novel or the stairs to the harbor sweep you away – here's power for your heart. Conclusion: Humans need three things: food, reading, and life. In Gourdon, you'll find everything – right next to each other, without any bureaucracy. You just have to brew your own tea.
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Imagine a tiny museum in an old Coast Guard building right on Gutty Harbor—charming, but with the heart of a captain. The superstar there is the "Maggie Law," a 30-foot surf rowing buoy built in 1890, rowed by six men, and ingenious at performing rescues between sharp rocks—it saved 36 lives in 40 years of service!
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Here a variety of different seabirds can be Seen: Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes, along with a few Puffins and Fulmars Benches and a small hut offer great resting areas
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Beautiful cliff top walk, spotted a few puffins. The noise of the birds is amazing, thousands of them. Well worth a visit.
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From the small car park walk down past the gate to Fowlsheugh and to the end of the road. A second costal path leads down the side of a field to a good viewpoint to the falls. The cliff edges are exposed and can be slippy.
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There’s a small car park at the end of the road. From there the cliff top walk leads along the various nesting sites. To see Puffins come nearer sunset, as they spend their day out at sea.
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A small stream tumbles over the cliff and into the sea as a scenic waterfall. You can visit the source by hiking a short part of the trail leading into Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve. There is a tiny wooden bridge that takes you over the stream. It is also a decent water source (always treat the water, though).
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Crawton Bay lies just around the corner of the tiny village of Crawton and the trailhead for the Fowlsheugh Nature Reserve. The view from the cliff is already beautiful. You can take a small path to get further down to the beach. There are plenty of sea birds nesting on the rocks, too.
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Arbuthnott offers a wide selection of easy hiking trails, with over 50 routes specifically categorized as easy. In total, there are more than 70 hiking routes in the area, catering to various preferences.
Easy hikes around Arbuthnott showcase diverse landscapes. You'll find yourself amidst rolling agricultural land, within the scenic Bervie Water Valley with its older woodlands and riverine habitats, and along the rugged Scottish coastline featuring dramatic sea cliffs. Distant views of the Grampian Mountains can also be enjoyed from various points.
Yes, Arbuthnott's proximity to the coast means there are several easy coastal walks. For example, the Crawton Bay – Crawton Waterfall loop from RSPB Fowlsheugh offers stunning views of dramatic sea cliffs and opportunities for wildlife spotting. Another option is the Gourdon Survival Station – Gourdon Harbour loop from Inverbervie, which follows the coastline past historic harbours.
Yes, the area features beautiful waterfalls accessible via easy trails. The Crawton Bay – Crawton Waterfall loop from RSPB Fowlsheugh leads to the picturesque Crawton Waterfall. You might also discover Woodston Burn Waterfall and Rocks in the wider region.
Many of the easy trails are well-suited for families, offering manageable distances and gentle elevation changes. The diverse scenery, from coastal paths to woodlands, provides engaging experiences for all ages. Consider routes like the Inverbervie – Inverbervie Stone Bridge loop from Inverberbie for a pleasant countryside stroll.
Generally, dogs are welcome on most public footpaths and trails around Arbuthnott. However, it's always best to keep dogs on a lead, especially in agricultural areas where livestock may be present, and near nature reserves like RSPB Fowlsheugh to protect ground-nesting birds and other wildlife. Always clean up after your dog.
Beyond the natural beauty, you can encounter several points of interest. Coastal routes often pass historic harbours. While not directly on a hiking trail, the historic Arbuthnott House Gardens offer a pleasant outdoor experience. Nearby attractions include the dramatic Dunnottar Castle and the Fowlsheugh Cliffs and Seabird Colony, which can be viewed from trails like the Crawton Bay – Crawton Waterfall loop.
The spring and summer months (April to September) generally offer the most pleasant weather for hiking, with longer daylight hours and blooming flora. However, the coastal paths can be invigorating year-round. Be aware that midges can be present during warmer, still conditions, particularly in wooded areas. Autumn brings beautiful colours to the woodlands.
Yes, many of the easy hiking routes around Arbuthnott are designed as circular loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Crawton Bay – Crawton Waterfall loop and the Inverbervie – Inverbervie Stone Bridge loop, providing convenient exploration.
The easy trails in Arbuthnott are highly regarded by the komoot community, boasting an average rating of 4.4 stars from over 300 reviews. Hikers frequently praise the diverse scenery, from the dramatic coastal cliffs to the peaceful river valleys and agricultural landscapes, as well as the accessibility of the routes for various ability levels.
While Arbuthnott itself is a small hamlet, nearby towns and attractions offer amenities. The Grassic Gibbon Centre, for instance, provides convenient facilities including a café and toilets. Coastal towns like Inverbervie and Gourdon, which serve as starting points for some trails, also offer various services.
Parking is generally available in the villages and towns that serve as trailheads for many of the easy hikes, such as Inverbervie, Gourdon, and near RSPB Fowlsheugh. Specific parking information can often be found on individual route descriptions or local signage.
Public transport options to the immediate Arbuthnott area may be limited. However, bus services connect larger nearby towns like Inverbervie to other regional hubs, from which some coastal or inland trails might be accessible. Planning your route in advance and checking local bus schedules is recommended.


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