Mainland Scotland’s most easterly point, Peterhead is known for its fishing heritage — and Dracula.
One of Europe’s busiest fishing ports, and home to a bustling fish market, Peterhead is synonymous with seafood. But that’s not all there is to this Aberdeenshire town. The Maritime Heritage Centre tells stories of the local sailors, whalers and fisher folk, while the notorious HM Convict Prison is open to the public as Peterhead Prison Museum. Nearby, perched on the edge of a cliff, you’ll find the dramatic ruins of Slains Castle, said to have inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula. North along the coast, the Loch of Strathbeg is a winter home for thousands of seabirds.
Peterhead Bay is where you’ll find many of the town’s attractions, including the prison Museum. The bay provides shelter to Peterhead Lido Beach, which is a popular spot for water sports. Set along the beach, Marina Bay Holiday Park has pitches for tourers, motorhomes and campervans, as well as a range of glamping pods.
A 15-minute drive south of Peterhead, a pink sand beach and towering sand dunes make Cruden Bay a popular excursion. The water is ideal for swimming and paddling, as well as fishing and water sports. A mile away from the beach, Craighead Caravan Park has spacious grass pitches for tents and tourers.
Heading inland, under a 20-minute drive from Peterhead, the village of Mintlaw is home to the sprawling Aden Country Park, which has landscaped gardens and is home to the Aberdeenshire Farming Museum. Within the park, Aden Caravan and Camping has pitches for tents and tourers, as well as a handful of glamping pods.
For your best chance for sunshine, and for enjoying long daylight hours, the best time to visit Peterhead is from June to September. Winters are cold and dark but also the best time for visiting Loch of Strathbeg RSPB reserve, where up to a fifth of the world's pink-footed geese spend their winters—and there’s also a chance of catching a glimpse of the northern lights in the winter months.