Bullers of Buchan

Located about six miles south of Peterhead and 25 miles north of Aberdeen in northeast Scotland, the Bullers of Buchan is a collapsed sea cave forming an almost circular chasm (the "pot") some 30 metres (100 feet) deep, where the sea rushes in through a natural archway.

The name "Bullers" has been thought to be derived from the French "Bouillir", meaning "to boil", as the water in the pot appears to boil during stormy weather, but another explanation says that the word is an old Scots word meaning "rushing of water", relating to the sound made by the waves crashing in through the archway opening into the pot, perhaps.

The small hamlet of cottages here is also known by the same name, and was historically a fishing village launching small boats from the bay below (the slipway may still be seen at low tide).

The cliffs at the Bullers provide a nesting site in spring for colonies of seabirds, including Kittiwakes, Puffins, Fulmars, Shags, Razorbills and Guillemots along with Herring Gulls and Greater Black-Backed Gulls. Eider ducks may also be seen here, and Gannets are frequently seen passing en route to their colonies north at Troup Head and South at Bass Rock. Grey seals may be seen in the bay, and dolphins are often seen passing by offshore.

History

The local area is rich with prehistory and historical features. Somewhat inland are a number of prehistoric monuments including Catto Long Barrow, [C.M. Hogan, 2008] Silver Cairn and numerous tumuli. In that same vicinity of the Laeca Burn watershed is the point d'appui of historic battles between invading Danes and indigenous Picts.

The Bullers of Buchan were cited in historical literature as early as the 18th century, most notably by the literary journalist James Boswell. [J. Boswell, 1774]

Access

The area is a popular sightseeing spot, with a car park but no tourist facilities. It lies on the Buchan coastal footpath, leading south to Slains Castle, Cruden Bay and Whinneyfold, and north to the Longhaven wildlife reserve.

ee also

*Catto Long Barrow
*Laeca Burn

Line notes

References

* C. Michael Hogan (2008) "Catto Long Barrow fieldnotes", Modern Antiquarian [http://letmespeaktothedriver.com/site/11227/catto.html#fieldnotes]
* James Boswell, Frederick Albert Pottle, Charles Hodges Bennett, Ralph Heyward Isham () "Boswell's Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D", republished by The Viking Press, 1936, 435 pages

External links

* [http://bullersofbuchan.me.uk/ Bullers of Buchan homepage]