Aberdeen Coastal Day Trip: Slains Castle, Caves & Cullen Skink

Summary

Wind-swept cliffs, sea caves and a bowl of Cullen Skink

You’ll feel North East Scotland’s wild side on this small group day trip from Aberdeen—watching seabirds at Bullers of Buchan, tasting Cullen Skink in its hometown café, wandering Slains Castle’s windswept ruins as your guide shares local tales. It’s not polished or predictable—and that’s exactly what stays with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore North East Scotland Coastline

• Visit coastal reserve and spot dolphins
• Enjoy and photograph coastal views
• Lunch stop in Cullen for Cullen Skink
• Explore 17th Century Harbour
• Visit Bullers of Buchan sea cave
• See Slains Castle and coastline

Top questions

How long is the North East Coastal Trail day trip from Aberdeen?

The tour lasts one full day including travel time, stops at each attraction, and comfort breaks.

Is lunch included on this Aberdeen coastal tour?

No, lunch isn’t included but your guide will recommend a place to try traditional Cullen Skink soup in Cullen.

Can children join this small group tour?

Children under 5 cannot be accommodated; those under 18 must be with an adult.

What are some highlights of this North East Scotland day trip?

Bullers of Buchan sea cave, Slains Castle ruins, dolphin spotting near Ythan Estuary, and lunch stop in Cullen.

Is hotel pickup included for this Aberdeen coastal tour?

No hotel pickup is provided; you meet at a central location in Aberdeen for departure.

How many people are on the mini-coach?

The tour uses a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach but usually runs with smaller groups for a personal feel.

Are there walking or hiking sections on this tour?

There are short walks at sites like Bullers of Buchan and Slains Castle; suitable for most fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable transport by luxury mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide who shares local stories along the way; all stops are coordinated for small groups so you get plenty of time to explore places like Bullers of Buchan and Slains Castle together before returning to Aberdeen in the evening.

What’s the experience like?

The morning started with me nearly missing the minibus—classic. I’d underestimated how long it takes to find coffee in Aberdeen when you’re half awake. But our guide, Isla, just grinned and waved me aboard like she’s seen it all before. The air smelled sharp and salty already, even in the city. There were only about ten of us, so everyone got a window seat (I snagged one behind Isla; best for eavesdropping on her stories).

We rolled out past fields that looked almost too green for April, then suddenly we were hugging the coast. Isla slowed down near the Ythan Estuary and pointed out a couple of seals flopping around—someone said they’d seen dolphins here last time but I wasn’t that lucky. The wind was wild at Bullers of Buchan. You could hear seabirds screeching over the collapsed sea cave, and there was this weird hush every time a wave crashed inside. I tried to spot puffins but mostly saw kittiwakes squabbling on the rocks. My hair was everywhere; I gave up trying to fix it.

Lunch in Cullen was honestly my favorite part—maybe because I didn’t expect much from “fish soup.” But Cullen Skink is smoky and creamy and just…comforting? The little café had fogged-up windows and smelled like woodsmoke and salt. Isla sat with us and told us how her gran makes it with extra potatoes (“for luck,” she said). We wandered through the old harbour after, hands stuffed in pockets against the cold.

I’ll admit Slains Castle felt almost staged at first—like someone built it just for moody Instagram shots—but then Isla started telling us about Bram Stoker wandering these cliffs before writing Dracula. The ruins are jagged and wind-battered; you can see straight through empty windows to nothing but gray sky and sea spray. Someone found a bit of heather growing between stones, purple against all that grey. I still think about that view sometimes when things feel too tidy back home.