Cullen

Cullen is a Village on the Moray Coast area of Scotland, 59 miles east of Inverness, 6 miles east of Buckie.

Cullen is popular for its Beaches, short steep walk up to Castle Hill for views over the Village, a Walk from Cullen to Portnockie along the scenic coast with Bow and Fiddle Rock at Portnockie the top sight. The return Walk follows the Old Railway, crossing the Viaduct, 5 miles out and back, a coastal Walk 3 miles east to the ruins of Findlater Castle, and the Old Kirk can be found half of a mile up Old Church Road, where Old Cullen and the Market Cross used to be.

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The Village is best known for Cullen Skink, soup made from smoked haddock, milk, potato and onion. The image top is looking down the Main Street named Seafield Street, towards The Square, Old Railway Bridge, and Harbour.

The second image is of The Square in Cullen, with the Market Cross moved to this spot in 1872.

The original Market Cross was in Old Cullen, built in 1696. Cullen Old Church and a Mansion House is all that remains of Old Cullen. It is unclear how much of the Old Market Cross was built into the new one.
Old Church Map

The road from The Square leads downhill to the Harbour and Beaches.

There are two small Beaches at the Harbour that can be real busy in hot spells, with diving off the Harbour interesting to watch.

From the road down into the Harbour, you get great views west over Cullen and the West Beach.

The road to the West Beach passes under the Viaduct, completed in 1884. Trains ran on this line from 1886 to 1968. The Old Railway is now used as a Walking / Cycle route.

The West Beach runs towards Portnockie, 2 miles west. The Walking route here takes you along the Beach and over Cliffs to Portnockie, where you can view Bow and Fiddle Rock. You can take the Old Railway path back. Walk Photos & Info.

Cullen Links Golf Club is at the West Beach, founded in 1870.

Cullen History

962 - Cullen is first recorded in History when King Indulf was killed by Vikings at the mouth of the river Cullen, referred to as the Battle of the Bauds.

1100s? - Findlater Castle was built for the Earls of Findlater and Seafield, largest landowners in the area. The Castle remains are 3 miles east of Cullen, on the coast with a path out to the Castle and a Sandy Beach, or you can drive round with a Car Park and secluded Beach close to the Castle. Map

1100s - the ancient Burgh of Cullen was founded by King William the Lion.

Cullen grew around Farming and Fishing, with small Fishing Boats pulled onto the Beach at the mouth of Cullen Burn.

1236 - the first records of the Old Church at Cullen are made.

1296 to 1328 - the First War of Scottish Independence is fought between Scotland and England, as the Scottish King died without leaving an Heir, leading to the English taking control of Scotland.

1302 - Robert the Bruce marries Elizabeth de Burgh in the middle of the War.

1306 - Robert the Bruce and Elizabeth were crowned as King and Queen of Scots at Scone. Elizabeth was captured by the English soon after, with her imprisoned in England until a prisoner exchange in 1314.

1327 - Elizabeth died after falling from her horse while visiting the Royal Castle at Cullen. Her Organs may have been buried at the Old Church in Cullen before her body was transported south to be buried in Dunfermline Abbey.

1329 - King Robert the Bruce died, with his body being buried next to Elizabeth in Dunfermline Abbey. His decendants were the Suart Kings and Queens.

1600s - the Earls of Seafield abandoned Findlater Castle, building a Mansion House in Old Cullen, close to the Old Church.

1787 - Robert Burns stayed overnight at Cullen during his tour of the Highlands.

1820 - Lewis Grant-Ogilvy, 5th Earl of Seafield, began the building of the Cullen seen today, about half of a mile east of Old Cullen.

1822 - the Old Town of Cullen was demolished, with all that remains being the Old Church and Cullen Mansion House. Claims are, the Earl wanted Old Cullen demoloished as he wanted to move the people living around his Mansion.

1886 - the Railway reached Cullen with the Viaduct completed 2 years earlier.

1880s - Fishing at Cullen increased dramatically with Sail Fishing Boats.

1900s early - Steam Powered Fishing Boats began entering service. As the Fishing Boats got larger over the following years, they moved to larger Harbour's along the coast, as Larger Boats could only use Cullen Harbour during a High Tide.

1968 - the Railway at Cullen closed, with the Line later used as a Cycle / Walking path. The Station ground was used to build Houses.

1983 - Cullen House was converted into 14 Apartments.

2018 - Cullen Hill was cleared of Gorse and a Path made all the way to the top for views over the Village. There was a Castle on top of Cullen Hill, it is unclear if this was the Royal Castle Elizabeth de Burgh was visiting when she died.