Nethermill Path
A Nethermill Farm Project
All images used on this website are subject to copyright
Welcome to Nethermill Path
Delivered as part of the planning gain for the Nethermill Heights housing development, constructed by Davie and Harry Smith of Nethermill Farm, Nethermill Path offers a selection of short walks around the beautiful Buchan countryside over a range of distances, ranging from 2 to 5 kilometers.
These new walks were constructed and delivered during 2022 and have quickly become a much-loved and treasured local amenity, yet remain largely unknown outside the village.
#1 Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay is said to have been the site of a battle in which the Scots under King Malcolm III defeated the Danish in 1012. The name ‘Cruden Bay’ is said to have originated from the Gaelic “Croch Dane” which translates to “Slaughter of the Danes”.
Between 1893 and 1910, Bram Stoker made frequent visits to Cruden Bay. As a part time writer, his vacations in Cruden Bay afforded him the most sub sequential amount of free time to work on his literacy creations. During his first two visits in 1893 and 1894 he lodged at the Kilmarnock Arms. but later opted to stay in cottages located in Cruden Bay and Whinnyfold. It’s during his stays that he wrote the early chapters of Dracula, and possibly the majority of the book too….
#3 Nethermill Path
Nethermill Path meanders through the beautiful Buchan countryside touching on some notable locations along the way. With vistas taking in the magnificent Cruden Bay Golf Course and majestic Slains Castle, to remaining parts of the old Cruden Bay railway, there are numerous route options available dependant on the personal circumstances of the visitors to this new and attractive village asset.
The noticeboard along the way draw the walkers attention to key geographic and historic information and at every stage show available options to lead you round the impressive pathway.
#4 Cruden Parish Church
The ancient Kirk of Cruden dates back to 1012 A.D. when there took place a battle between the Danes and the Scots under King Malcolm ll. It may well be that the name Cruden comes from Croch Dain – The slaughter of the Danes. After the battle a pact was made and the Kirk of Cruden (dedicated to St. Olaf, the patron saint of Norway and Denmark) was founded by the Scottish King to mark the spot where the fallen warriors on both sides were buried. The Church was mentioned in a Papal Bull by Pope Adrien lV in the year 1157, and in 1256 it appears as one of the prebends of the Cathedral of St. Machar in Aberdeen, with the right to appoint a Deacon to serve as Vicar in the Cathedral. Probably a third church was built upon the site now occupied by the Parish church sometime prior to the Reformation (1560) or immediately subsequent to it……
#5 Ancient settlement found at Nethermill
When work started in 2017 at the new housing site, an archaeology team discovered at least 23 structures from between 800 BC and AD 400.
“Previous ploughing of the area had destroyed many parts of the site, but so far the outlines of at least 23 structures have been revealed, encompassing a complex series of post – hole constructions, ring ditches with stake holes, and some possible enclosures along with a handful of pottery and flint tools. Contextual evidence suggests that the settlement possibly dates between 800 BC and AD 400.@……
#6 Cruden Bay Hotel and Golf Course
Looking over the golf course, once stood the grand Cruden Bay Hotel. It was built by the GNSR Company between 1897 and 1899. The hotel had 55 bedrooms originally, then later expanded to over 100. It also had tennis courts, croquet lawns, and bowling greens. It was inspired after the success of the Palace Hotel in Aberdeen which was owned by the GNSR Company at the time.
“Brighton of Aberdeenshire.” The hotel was part of a plan to turn Cruden Bay into an upmarket luxury resort. Notable patrons included British PMs Neville Asquith and David Lloyd George, who met for afternoon tea while Winston Churchill played on the Golf Course…….
Plan Your Visit
The Nethermill Path can be accessed from various points around the village. The main parking option is at Mill Park, where there is a large carpark from where you can locate the first information board #1 Cruden Bay.
Other entry points do not have dedicated parking areas, however there are numerous suitable locations close by to park your car, however care should always be given to the residents and workers in the area who may require access to their homes or place of work.
Principal Sources
- Personal knowledge, family history and local insight from Davie and Harry Smith of Nethermill Farm, whose work creating the Nethermill Path provides the foundation for this article and its connection between farming, nature and community.
- Local agricultural knowledge and community contributions relating to farming traditions, rural life and the changing landscape around Cruden Bay and the wider Buchan countryside.
- Historical references relating to Nethermill, the surrounding farmland and the long relationship between the people of Cruden Bay and the land that supports the village.
- Research into traditional farming practices, seasonal work, livestock management and the skills passed down through generations of Buchan farming families.
- Environmental and landscape references relating to rural pathways, biodiversity, native plants and the importance of accessible countryside experiences.
- Local historical material and community memories relating to the Water of Cruden, Nethermill area and the routes that have connected farms, villages and the surrounding landscape for generations.
- Original written content, photography, video production and digital storytelling created by Cruden Bay Life to celebrate Nethermill Path and the continuing relationship between people, farming and the countryside.
Image References
Unless otherwise stated, images featured in this article are sourced from contemporary photography, community contributions or original creative material produced by Cruden Bay Life.
The Nethermill Path represents a connection between past and present — following routes through a landscape shaped by generations of farming, while offering today’s visitors an opportunity to experience the countryside in a new way. Images are intended to capture not only the beauty of the surroundings, but also the care, effort and knowledge that have shaped this working landscape.
Photographs of the paths, fields, wildlife, views towards Cruden Bay and the surrounding countryside help document a place where agriculture, nature and community come together.
Where creative interpretation or digital artwork is used, these images are intended to support storytelling and atmosphere rather than represent exact historical records.
We are grateful to the Smith family, local photographers, farmers and community contributors whose knowledge, work and images help preserve the story of Nethermill and its place within Cruden Bay’s heritage.
About Cruden Bay Life
Cruden Bay Life celebrates the history, landscapes, people and stories that make Cruden Bay and the surrounding Buchan coast unique.
Every article begins with curiosity, research and a desire to understand the places, people and traditions that have shaped this remarkable area. Some stories are discovered through archives and historical records, while others are preserved through personal memories, family histories and the experiences of those who continue to care for the landscape today.
Nethermill Path represents the continuation of a long relationship between people and the land. Created through the vision and hard work of a local farming family, the path provides a way for visitors and residents to experience the countryside, appreciate rural life and understand the connection between agriculture, nature and community.
It also reflects an important part of Cruden Bay’s identity: that heritage is not only found in historic buildings, monuments and archives, but also in the working landscapes, traditions and everyday efforts that continue to shape the area.
Alongside traditional research methods, we make thoughtful use of modern creative tools—including artificial intelligence—to assist with research, editing, illustration, music composition and visual presentation. These tools allow us to explore new ways of sharing local stories, while historical evidence, editorial judgement and respect for our contributors remain central to everything we publish.
Researched by people. Enhanced with modern creative tools. Inspired by history. Created for today’s audiences.
Learn more about how we research and create our stories. Click here →