SSC60 Scotland’s Secret Coast 60

Q: Is the SSC60 an official tourist route?

No. The SSC60 was created by Days Out Now to showcase one of Scotland's most beautiful hidden coastal drives and inspire more people to explore this remarkable part of the country.

Q: Why is it called the Scotland's Secret Coast 60?

The route covers approximately 60 miles of one of Scotland's most overlooked coastlines. Unlike busier tourist routes, the SSC60 takes in fishing villages and coastal scenery that many visitors never see.

Q: What is the SSC60?

The SSC60 (Scotland's Secret Coast 60) is a scenic coastal road trip created by Days Out Now , linking some of north-east Scotland's most beautiful fishing villages, castles, beaches and coastal viewpoints. Covering approximately 60 miles , it's designed as a quieter alternative to Scotland's more famous driving routes.

A 60-mile drive along Scotland’s quiet north-east coast, from Fraserburgh through Pennan, Crovie and Portsoy to Cullen, Bow Fiddle Rock and Spey Bay.

Forget the crowds of the NC500…

If you like sea cliffs, small fishing villages, ruined cliff-top castles and coves, and one of Scotland’s most scenic stretches of coastline, take a look at the SSC60 – Scotland’s Secret Coast 60.

🗺️ Interactive Route Map

Explore the full route below, zoom in on key landmarks and plan your adventure before setting off.

Allow map or external contentThis provider may use optional cookies.Open on the provider website

Scotland’s Hidden Coastal Drive

Approx. 60 Miles | 10 Stops | Aberdeenshire to Moray

Created by Days Out Now, this coastal route follows around 60 miles of Scotland’s north-east coastline, linking some of the country’s less-visited destinations into one road trip.

If you’ve ever wished you’d discovered the NC500 before everyone else did…

This is that feeling.

📍 Route Overview

🚩 Fraserburgh – Start of the SSC60

➡️ Pennan

➡️ Crovie

➡️ Gardenstown

➡️ Portsoy

➡️ Findlater Castle

➡️ Cullen

➡️ Portknockie

➡️ Bow Fiddle Rock

🏁 Spey Bay

Approx. 60 miles

Recommended: 1–2 days

🏨 Find Places To Stay Nearby

Stop A – Fraserburgh

Begin at Scotland’s largest shellfish port before heading west along the Moray Firth coast.

✔ Kinnaird Head Lighthouse

✔ Fraserburgh Beach

✔ Harbour views

Stop B – Pennan

The tiny village made famous by the film Local Hero.

One narrow road leads to a row of cottages squeezed between towering cliffs and the North Sea.

Don’t miss:

📞 The famous red telephone box

📸 Harbour viewpoint

🌊 Coastal walk

Stop C – Crovie

Possibly Scotland’s most unique village.

Cars aren’t allowed through the village itself—you park above and walk down into one of the narrowest fishing villages anywhere in Britain. The cottages sit shoulder-to-shoulder on a tiny ledge between the cliffs and the sea.

Tick off:

✔ Cobbled lane

✔ Sea wall

✔ Incredible photography

Stop D – Gardenstown

Just around the corner lies another beautiful fishing village with a working harbour and colourful cottages.

Grab a coffee before wandering along the harbour wall or taking the scenic coastal walk towards Crovie, a route that’s around 2.1 miles and hugs the cliffs.

Highlights:

⚓ Harbour

🥾 Coastal walk

☕ Café stop

Stop E – Portsoy

One of Scotland’s oldest harbours and packed with maritime history.

The historic harbour has featured in productions including Peaky Blinders and Whisky Galore.

Don’t miss:

⚓ Old Harbour

🍦 Ice cream

📸 Harbour photography

Stop F – Findlater Castle

One of Scotland’s most dramatic castle ruins.

The ruins sit on a rocky headland around 50 feet above the Moray Firth. They date back to the medieval period and give one of the best viewpoints on the whole drive.

Expect:

🏰 Cliff-edge ruins

🌊 Huge coastal views

📸 Sunset photography

Stop G – Cullen

Beautiful beaches, colourful houses and home to Scotland’s famous Cullen Skink.

Spend some time exploring:

🏖 Cullen Beach

🌉 Cullen Viaducts

🥣 Cullen Skink

Stop H – Portknockie

A peaceful fishing village with one of Scotland’s finest coastal walks.

Follow the clifftop path for views over the Moray Firth and towards Bow Fiddle Rock.

Tick off:

🌊 Harbour

🥾 Cliff path

📸 Viewpoints

Stop I – Bow Fiddle Rock

The icon of the SSC60.

This natural sea arch, formed from ancient quartzite, is named because it resembles the tip of a violin bow. It is one of the most recognisable coastal landmarks on the Moray coast.

Perfect for:

📸 Sunrise

🌊 Storm watching

🐦 Seabirds

Stop J – Spey Bay

Finish beside the mouth of the River Spey.

This peaceful stretch of coastline is famous for wildlife and is one of the best places in Scotland to look for bottlenose dolphins along the Moray Firth.

Look out for:

🐬 Dolphins

🦭 Seals

🌅 Huge skies

Why Drive the SSC60?

✔ Beautiful fishing villages

✔ Hidden beaches

✔ Dramatic cliff-top castles

✔ Natural sea arches

✔ Fantastic seafood

✔ Scenic coastal roads

✔ Incredible photography

✔ Hardly any crowds

Book a place to Stay

🏨 Find Places To Stay Nearby

Days Out Now Tip

Take your time.

Although the drive is only around 60 miles, you’ll want to stop constantly for viewpoints, cafés, beaches and photographs.

We recommend turning the SSC60 into a 2-day adventure, allowing time to enjoy each village rather than rushing from stop to stop.

Have You Driven the SSC60?

If not…

Add it to your list for a Scotland trip.

The secret probably won’t stay secret forever.

🎟️

Attractions Nearby

From castles and boat trips to family attractions and guided tours, there is plenty more to do on your visit.

🎟️ Explore Attractions & Experiences

✔ Instant Booking • ✔ Family Friendly • ✔ Top Rated Experiences

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SSC60 an official tourist route?

No. The SSC60 was created by Days Out Now to showcase one of Scotland’s most beautiful hidden coastal drives and inspire more people to explore this remarkable part of the country.

Are dogs allowed on the SSC60?

Yes. The route is ideal for dogs, with plenty of beaches, harbour walks and scenic coastal paths. Always check local restrictions during bird nesting season and keep dogs under control around livestock.

Why is it called the Scotland’s Secret Coast 60?

The route covers approximately 60 miles of one of Scotland’s most overlooked coastlines. Unlike busier tourist routes, the SSC60 takes in fishing villages and coastal scenery that many visitors never see.

Is the SSC60 suitable for motorhomes and campervans?

Yes. Most of the route follows normal coastal roads suitable for cars, motorhomes and campervans. Some villages have narrow access roads, so drive carefully and use designated parking areas where available.

Is the SSC60 suitable for families?

Yes. Families will enjoy beaches, wildlife, castles, harbours and easy coastal walks, making it a fantastic road trip for all ages.

What is the SSC60?

The SSC60 (Scotland’s Secret Coast 60) is a scenic coastal road trip created by Days Out Now, linking some of north-east Scotland’s most beautiful fishing villages, castles, beaches and coastal viewpoints. Covering approximately 60 miles, it’s designed as a quieter alternative to Scotland’s more famous driving routes.