Cruden Bay in Aberdeenshire is a relaxing and picturesque village. It is famous for its golden sands and rugged hills. The harbour is tranquil and is still used by local fishermen with their small fishing boats which adds to its charm. Walkers benefit from marked tracks such as the Cruden Bay to Boddam walk and some fantastic views across the North East Sea and hills, including the Bullars of Buchan. Cruden Bay is overlooked by Slains Castle. It is said that Bram Stoker was inspired to write his famous novel, Dracula, because of Slains Castle and the surrounding rugged cliffs and hills.

Cruden Bay was formerly called Port Erroll and the local primary school is still called Port Erroll School.

The Tryggve Gran Monument and garden commemorates the solo flight from Aberdeenshire to Norway by the Norwegian skier, explorer, pilot and war hero Trygvve Gran.

Facilities in the village include a Golf Course, Tennis Club, Grass Bowling Club, an excellent Chinese Take Away who serve some delicious meals, several hotels with award winning restaurants and accommodation, a chemist, Doctor's surgery, primary school, library, village hall, model railway, pubs, grocery shops and a newsagent.

Cruden Bay Accommodation

Information and contact details of Hotels in Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire Scotland:

Kilmarnock Arms Hotel

The award winning two AA star Kilmarnock Arms Hotel is located in the heart of Cruden Bay. It is accredited by the Scottish Tourist Board. There is ample car parking and a relaxing garden overlooking a small byrne. It is nicknamed locally as The Killie and has a reputation for high standards in accommodation and food. We eat here several times a year and enjoy a drop or two of their fine beers. The Hotel is tastefully decorated and Scottish themed. It was here that Bram Stoker stayed and wrote drafts of his book Dracula. The years of his stays were 1894 and 1896. In the visitors book Bram Stoker wrote Second visit to Port Erroll. Delighted with everything and everyone. Hope to come again to the Kilmarnock Arms.
The 14 Rooms at the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel are en-suite with tea and coffee making facilities and satellite television in each of their family, double and single rooms. Guests can relax in either the public bar or lounge bar with breakfast, lunch or dinner meals at the Falcon restaurant. The chefs use local produce and excel in their high teas. Do try the delicious Rob Roy Steak which is a 10oz sirloin steak which is filled with haggis and coated with a Scotch grain mustard, mushroom and whisky sauce.
Visit their website at www.kilmarnockarms.com

More Aberdeenshire Hotels and B&Bs.

We also run the www.findextrawork.co.uk website where there is information about earning more money from a range of part time and full time jobs which can be done at home or out and about. Visit for more information.

In July 2007 the Cruden Bay hotel The Kilmarnock Arms went on sale. The current owners, Jim and Shona Mutch, were retiring. The business agents Christie and Co handled the sale which was at offers over the price of £595,000.

Cruden Bay Poster

In August 2007 a rare Cruden Bay poster went up for auction. It was owned by an Australian history teacher who had a collection of Scottish railway posters to show his pupils in class far off places.

The Cruden Bay poster showed a picture of the Cruden Bay golf club greens with sand dunes, golfers and the North Sea. It stated:

Great North of Scotland Railway. Cruden Bay 30 miles by rail from Aberdeen. Unrivalled 18 hole golf course, putting course and putting green. Romantic rock scenery. First Class Hotel. George Davidson General Manager.

The CrudenBay poster was printed by Taylor and Henderson in Aberdeen.

Along with the Cruden Bay Aberdeenshire poster there were a Moray Coast, Findhorn Bay, Fort William, Glencoe, Western Highlands and Loch Shiel posters. The Cruden Bay poster was expected to reach a higher price because of the interest in golf posters by collectors. The Cruden Bay poster dated back to the period of 1910 to 1915 and is hoped to reach a bid of £1500 at the auction whilst the other posters should reach between £200 and £600 each. The Cruden Bay poster is being auctioned by Christies in South Kensington in London, England on the 13 September 2007 at 1pm.

The 40 inch by 25 inch poster of Cruden Bay sold at the auction for £6000 whilst the Fort William poster by the artist Frank Newbould sold for £2,280.

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