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White-harled cottages line the shore of a small Aberdeenshire village beneath green hillsides, seaweed-covered rocks exposed at low tide.
Aberdeenshire

Pennan

A single row of white fishermen's cottages squeezed between the cliffs and the sea on the Banffshire coast, where the film Local Hero was shot.

Welcome

On the Banffshire coast, a steep lane twists down from the main road through a cleft in the cliffs and comes out at Pennan: a single row of white cottages strung along the shore, pressed between a wall of red rock and the sea, most of them standing with their gable ends to the waves.

At the east end is a little harbour, where a couple of fishing boats still work among the pleasure craft.

In 1983 the village became famous around the world as the setting for the film Local Hero. The red telephone box on the quay, opposite the Pennan Inn, became one of the best known in the world, though the one in the film was a prop, and the real one was only put in after visitors kept asking for it.

Today Pennan is as quiet as ever. At low tide the rocky shore is full of pools, and the cliffs run away on either side.

Before you go

A village, open at all times.

The road drops steeply from the B9031 to the shore; parking in the village is very limited, so it is often best to park at the top and walk down. The Pennan Inn stands on the front.

Where
Off the B9031 between Fraserburgh and Macduff.
Parking
Very limited in the village; park above if you can.

Did you know

People seated at picnic tables beside a food van below a green cliff
Did you know

A prop phone box.

The red phone box used in Local Hero was a prop; the real one was installed later because visitors asked for it.

A row of whitewashed cottages with red-tiled roofs lines a rocky shore beneath steep cliffs, seaweed-covered rocks exposed at low tide in front.
Did you know

Filmed elsewhere too.

The beach scenes of Local Hero were filmed on the other side of Scotland, near Arisaig.

The Coastal Cuppie kiosk with striped bunting and a chalkboard menu, potted flowers by the counter
Did you know

Gable to the sea.

Many of Pennan's cottages stand gable end to the sea, to shelter from the storms.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Aberdeenshire

Looking out across the wide seas of the Moray Firth, and reached via a narrow road that worms its way down the cliffside, is the seaside village of Pennan. It found fame after appearing on screen in the 1980s BAFTA-winning comedy classic Local Hero, directed by Bill Forsyth.

Read more
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Where it is

At the foot of the cliffs on the Banffshire coast, off the B9031 between Fraserburgh and Macduff.

Close byThe Banffshire coast.
  1. The whitewashed row of Pennan below the cliffs, the red phone box by the inn.The Pennan InnThe inn from Local Hero, now an AA Rosette restaurant cooking fish from the local ports.Under a mile1 min by road
  2. Coastal CuppieCoastal CuppieUnder a mile1 min by road
  3. Grassy headlands enclose a small sandy beach with gentle wavesCullykhan BayA sandy cove below the site of Fort Fiddes.1 mile4 min by road
  4. Narrow rocky gorge with moss-covered floor cutting through grassy hillsideHell’s Lum near Cullykhan Bay1 mile4 min by road
  5. Gannets nesting on a steep coastal cliff face above the seaTroup HeadGannet cliffs on the headland to the west.3 miles7 min by road
  6. CrovieCrovieA single row of cottages on a ledge above the sea.4 miles9 min by road
Directions
Dark rocks and reef along the shore at Aberdour Beach, the sea beyond.AttractionsNew Aberdour Beach3.9 miles
Fishing boats moored in Gardenstown harbour beneath white houses on the hillsideAttractionsGardenstown5.0 miles
The grey timber front of Bumble and Brae in Gardenstown, green trim and hanging baskets by the door.CafeBumble and Brae5.1 miles
Small boats in Rosehearty harbour at low water, the breakwater behind.AttractionsRosehearty Harbour8.3 miles
The ruined walls of Pitsligo Castle standing over a green lawn.AttractionsPitsligo Castle8.7 miles
Visitors walking towards a glass-fronted blue building beneath a rocky overhangAttractionsMacduff Marine Aquarium10 miles
Fishing boats moored in the basin of Macduff harbour under a clear sky.AttractionsMacduff Harbour10 miles
The blue front of Strichen Antiques under its sign.ShoppingStrichen Antiques10 miles
The orange lifeboat moored in Sandhaven harbour below the village.AttractionsSandhaven Meal Mill11 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the village, 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
  • 20 miles from Pennan
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
  • 20 miles from Pennan
Free 30 Oct – 1 NovA 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
  • 20 miles from Pennan
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
  • 20 miles from Pennan
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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