Search
Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugalthe United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican RepublicTurkey
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Scotland · the United Kingdom
Fishing villages and beaches on the coast of the Moray Firth, medieval ruins and the Spey river valley, in northeast Scotland; Cullen, the home of Cullen skink, is the gateway.
In the photo: Bow Fiddle Rock, on Moray’s coast.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Moray lies in northeast Scotland, between Inverness and Aberdeen, on the south shore of the Moray Firth. The coastline alternates sandy beaches, cliffs and low-built fishing villages, and inland is crossed by the River Spey, whose valley, called Speyside, is known for its whisky distilleries.
Cullen, on Moray’s east coast, is a village beside a bay, with a stone railway viaduct crossing the centre and a fishermen’s quarter by the sea. It gives its name to Cullen skink, the smoked haddock soup. Nearby are the bow-shaped Bow Fiddle Rock and the ruins of Findlater Castle on top of a cliff.
To the west, Elgin preserves the ruins of the medieval cathedral known as the Lantern of the North. To the east, already in Aberdeenshire, Banff has Duff House, a Georgian mansion now used as an art gallery. A coastal path links several villages along the shore.
This destination brings together 1 city: Cullen.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Outlines: Office for National Statistics, Open Government Licence v3.0; contém dados OS © Crown copyright 2026. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ), in Aberdeen · 100 km to Cullen
✈ Inverness Airport (INV), in Inverness · 100 km to Cullen
Inverness (INV) and Aberdeen (ABZ) airports are about 100 km from Cullen. Trains on the Inverness–Aberdeen line stop at Elgin and Keith; from there regional buses run along the coast.
The local experience
Quartzite sea rock in the shape of an arch, beside the village of Portknockie, about 3 km from Cullen. The name comes from its resemblance to the tip of a violin bow.
Ruins of a 15th-century castle built on the edge of a cliff over the sea, between Cullen and Sandend. It can be seen from a viewpoint on the cliff top.
Ruins of the medieval cathedral of Moray, founded in 1224 and known as the Lantern of the North. It has two towers on the façade, which can be climbed, and an octagonal chapter house. It is about 35 km from Cullen.
A Georgian palace designed by William Adam from 1735 in Banff, about 20 km from Cullen. Today it is an art gallery holding works from Scotland’s national collections, and it has grounds on the banks of the River Deveron.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
From May to September the days are long and temperatures usually range between 12 °C and 18 °C. Moray’s coast is among the driest in Scotland, but wind is frequent. In winter the days are short and cold.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Two days allow you to see Cullen, Bow Fiddle Rock, Findlater, Elgin and Duff House. If you want to include the Spey valley and the coastal path, plan three or four days.
In Cullen or other coastal villages such as Portsoy and Lossiemouth, if you want to stay by the sea. Elgin, Moray’s largest town, has more options and a train station.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
Via Inverness or Aberdeen airports, about 100 km from Cullen, or by train on the Inverness–Aberdeen line, with stops at Elgin and Keith, and by bus along the coast.
Two days for Cullen, the coast, Elgin and Duff House; three or four to add the Spey valley and the coastal path.
It makes things easier, because points of interest are spread out. There are regional buses between the coastal villages, Elgin and Banff.
From May to September, with long days and temperatures between 12 °C and 18 °C. Wind is frequent year-round.
