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Fishing boats moored in the basin of Macduff harbour under a clear sky.
Aberdeenshire

Macduff Harbour

A working harbour and boatyard begun in the 1770s, looking across the bay to Banff.

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Welcome

Macduff is a harbour town built by one family.

The Duffs, and above all James, the second Earl of Fife, began the harbour in the 1770s, and by 1791 it had two basins, east and west. The west basin has hardly changed since. The family owned the harbour until 1898, when they handed it to the town council.

It is still a working port and a busy one. Some forty boats are based here, landing their catch at larger ports but coming home to Macduff to be repaired and kept up on the slipway. There is an enclosed fish market that sells when local boats bring fish in, and a steady trade in cargo: coal, fishmeal, rock salt and sugar beet.

For a visitor it is a good place to wander and watch the boats, with a wide view across the bay to Banff and the Deveron. The RNLI lifeboat shop opens on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons from May to December. Macduff Marine Aquarium is a few minutes along the shore.

Close byThe Platform and Annie's CakeryMacduff's old railway station of 1872, now shops and a patisserie looking over the Moray Firth.2 min by roadSee itAn old ship's anchor set above Macduff harbour and the sea.
Before you go

A working harbour; watch from the quays.

The RNLI shop opens on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, 2pm to 4pm, from May to December.

Where
Macduff.
RNLI shop
May to Dec, Wed and Sat 2 to 4.
Where it is

Macduff.

Close byAround Macduff.
  1. Visitors walking towards a glass-fronted blue building beneath a rocky overhangMacduff Marine AquariumMacduff Marine Aquarium showcases the impressive array of sea life which can be found in Scotland’s largest bay, the Moray FirthUnder a mile1 min by road
  2. The stone front of an old Banff building, its tall windows with carved surrounds.Banff and Macduff Heritage Trail1 mile3 min by road
  3. Duff HouseDuff House1 mile4 min by road
  4. PETAL the store, MorayshirePETAL the storeA small lifestyle and gift shop on Banff's High Street, with books on wellbeing, nature and magic, candles, cushions and natural skincare.1 mile3 min by road
  5. Banff Bay from the hill, the sandy shore curving round to the town.Banff2 miles3 min by road
Directions
An old ship's anchor set above Macduff harbour and the sea.CafeThe Platform and Annie's Cakery0.4 miles
Coils of green net and a yellow float by the lobster creels on Whitehills harbour.AttractionsWhitehills Harbour4.4 miles
Fishing boats moored in Gardenstown harbour beneath white houses on the hillsideAttractionsGardenstown8.0 miles
The grey timber front of Bumble and Brae in Gardenstown, green trim and hanging baskets by the door.CafeBumble and Brae8.1 miles
Row of white cottages beneath a grassy cliff along a pebble shorelineAttractionsCrovie8.7 miles
Curved sign reading "Portsoy Ice Cream" on a stone corner buildingCafePortsoy Ice Cream9.4 miles
The white front of the Shore Inn on Portsoy's old harbour, flags over the door.BarsThe Shore Inn9.5 miles
A volunteer shaping a timber boat in the Boatshed at Portsoy.ActivityThe Boatshed9.7 miles
Gannets nesting on a steep coastal cliff face above the seaAttractionsTroup Head9.7 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near Macduff Harbour, and when each is next free.

A single-storey lodge with a slated roof sits behind a stone wall and clipped hedge, mature trees shading the curving drive.Gate Lodge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 13 miles from Macduff Harbour
Check datesA triangular timber cabin stands behind a wooden gate and post-and-rail fence, bare trees framing the entrance.Midpark
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Rothiemay
  • 13 miles from Macduff Harbour
Free 27–29 OctA stone cottage with a slated roof and a blue front door, climbing roses in pink and white flanking the porch.Butlers Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Aberdeenshire
  • 13 miles from Macduff Harbour
Free 17–19 OctA grey stone cottage with dormer windows and a black front door, climbing roses either side, set behind a lawn.Bailies Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Rothiemay
  • 13 miles from Macduff Harbour
Free 26–28 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in AberdeenshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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