Portsoy & Cullen - Harbours & Villages

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Portsoy and Cullen, with Agents sent to explore Portsoy and Cullen to stop Sven Doublo's scheme to destroy the local fishing industry by deactivating an underwater device off the coast.

The operation covers approximately 3 miles walking or 6 miles driving and should take around 2.75 hours to complete. You'll investigate Portsoy's harbour and The Square, then continue the assignment in Cullen around the harbour, Pet Cemetery, Millennium Garden, cemetery path and the viaduct and Moray Coastal Trail viewpoint.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route has some steep hills and includes roads, a narrow footpath, steps, a stony path, grass sections, a bridge and a path through a cemetery.

Take care crossing roads, including the main road, Seafield Street and the traffic island. There is also a section along the sea-facing harbour edge, and you'll need to watch for vehicle movements near the car park and Square.

Optional extra intel: follow the footpath up West Braes on the right for a great view of the harbour. To return to the start point, continue ahead around the harbour, keeping the sea on your left.

Getting There

By car: Start the mission at The Salmon Bothy near the harbour, on Links Road, Portsoy (AB45 2SS). Free parking is dotted around Portsoy Harbour (AB45 2SS) - park here and start at the Salmon Bothy near the harbour. Further parking is available in The Square, Portsoy (AB45 2NX), if needed. For the Cullen section, use the car park on the left hand side near Cullen harbour, by Cullen Sea School (AB56 4AG). Follow the signs for the Pet Cemetery; on foot, face the sea and head right for the next clue.

By public transport: Make your way to The Salmon Bothy near the harbour, on Links Road, Portsoy (AB45 2SS), to begin the assignment.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are near Clue 02 in Portsoy's harbour, with further toilets at Church Street in Portsoy if needed. In Cullen, toilets are not far from the car park next to the harbour, and are also available in the Cullen car park if needed.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents are welcome to join the operation. 🐾

Keep canine recruits close around the roads, main road crossings, Seafield Street, traffic island and areas with vehicle movements near the car park and Square. The route also includes steep hills, steps, grass sections, a stony path, a narrow footpath, cemetery paths and a sea-facing harbour edge, so leads and steady paws are a sensible part of the mission kit.

Food & Drink Stops

Spy work is hungry work. There are a few shops in the centre of Portsoy around The Square and also in Cullen, and you'll pass pubs, cafes and takeaways whilst out on assignment.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Portsoy's Old Harbour and Marble

Portsoy's old harbour dates from 1693, with the new harbour constructed after a violent storm in 1825. As you walk along, look out for evidence of where miles of heavy rope used to be tarred by local fishermen. The village was also famed for Portsoy Marble, cut from a vein of serpentine running across the braes to the west of the harbour. It was so admired for its beauty that it was used in parts of Louis XIV's Palace of Versailles.

Pet Cemetery

The Pet Cemetery is run as a public service by a local volunteer. It contains many beloved family pets, along with cetaceans buried with respect in a dedicated area next to the sea, including a seal called Sammy, a Porbeagle shark and several dolphins.

Millennium Garden

In Cullen, the route reaches Millennium Garden through a narrow archway and steps. It's a stop on the Trail, with a commemorative stone and mosaic to inspect once your team has paused the spy-craft for a calmer look around.

The Viaduct and Moray Coastal Trail Viewpoint

The viaduct now forms part of the Moray Coastal Trail and offers stunning views over the bay. From here you can also see the 19th century Temple of Pomona, a garden teahouse in the shape of a classical domed temple, and the isolated rock strata known as 'The Three Kings'.