Banffshire

Scotland > East of Scotland > Banffshire

Now part of Aberdeenshire on the Political map of Scotland but nonetheless a very distinguishable part of Scotland's north-east.

Banffshire's northern boundary is the Moray Firth giving opportunities for fishing which, over the years, has been plentiful for the fishing ports of Macduff, Portsoy, Cullen, Buckie and Banff itself. Latterly, however, the fishing industry has suffered badly and fishing is on a downward slope. Communities are now desperately looking at other ways to sustain the local economy.

Banffshire is a long splendour county stretching from the top of Ben Macdhui, Scotland's second highest mountain in the Cairngorms, north east to Banff on the coast. The western boundary is the River Spey with the eastern boundary meandering through the Strathbogie Forest. Other towns of note are Keith, Dufftown, Tomintoul and Craigellachie including famous glens such as Glenlivet. Banffshire is really at the heart of Whisky Country with most of the Spey Malts being produced on this side of the River! Exactly in which County the salmon belong is debatable - I suppose it just depends on the size of your rod and the casts you make.

River Spey salmon fishing brings millions of pounds into the local economy every year and the sustainability of the stocks is highly controlled and protected as a result.

With most of the county being rather hilly and mountainous, agriculture is mostly confined to the northern part around Keith and the coast.

Access is by road from Inverness and Aberdeen A96, or from the south along the length of the River Spey from Grantown (A95) and the A9. Rail access is on the main Inverness to Aberdeen routs with a station in Keith. Nearest airports are at Inverness (36 miles) and Aberdeen (49).