Silver Sands Beach

The number one attraction in Aberdour is the European Union "Blue Flag Award" winning beach, Silversands. This beach is a stretch of fine, almost white (silveryish, hence the name), rock free sand. Just behind the beach are the public conveniences and a high quality childrens play area. There is ample car parking on Hawkcraig point with a short walk (200 yards) to the beach. At the beach is a small car park, reserved for disabled drivers during the busiest times. The beach slopes very gently into the sea and as such does not get deep quickly. At either end of the beach it turns rocky, with numerous rock pools, ideal for exploring for hermit crabs and shrimps. If you are lucky you might spot one or more of the seals that live on Inchcolm island, frollicking offshore.

Aberdour Castle

In the centre of Aberdour village stands Aberdour castle. Originally built in 13th century by the de Mortimer family but in 1325 King Robert the Bruce gave the lands to the Earl of Moray and finally it passed to the Douglasses. Finally in the 18th century it was abandoned after fire damage. It now stands as a half ruin (the main tower fell off , you can still see part of the main tower lying on its' side). The unruined half, including the main hall, is roofed with examples of contemporary furniture inside. Other things to see include the cellar under the remains of the main tower, the castle well, the stables under the main hall and in the grounds there are the walled garden and an unusual 16th century beehive shaped dove cot. And while the children rampage around the castle the parents can enjoy a coffee and cake from the castle coffee shop either inside or, if the weather is clement, outside on the terraced garden. The castle is held in care for the nation by Historic Scotland. Standing adjacent to the castle is the 12th century village church.

Aberdour Church

Built some time before 1123 the Aberdours' St. Fillan's church is a fine example of early Norman architecture and contains a pre-reformation church bell, a bible dated 1628 and beautiful stained glass. Robert the Bruce is said to have given thanks for his victory at Bannockburn in 1314 here. The church fell into disuse in 1790 but was restored and re-dedicated in 1926 and still serves as a place of worship today.

Aberdours Blacksands Beach

Blacksands beach is the smaller of Aberdours two beaches and, as its' name suggests, the sand is, partly, black. The beach consists of a short streach of sand with some rocky outcrops in the middle and ending at the harbour wall at one end and a rocky shore and cliffs at the other. From here you can see Inchcolm island and the ruined abbey situated there and sometimes you can hear the seals that inhabit the island, and if you are really lucky you may see them off shore.

Aberdours' Harbour

Just along from Blacksands beach is Aberdours' harbour, originally a natural harbour formed by the Dour burn. The harbour is one of the original reasons for Aberdours existence as it was used to ship out the locally mined coal and minerals. In the 1700s a stone pier was built, and still stands today, to allow larger boats to moor and load and unload. Nowadays it is home to leisure boats and the Aberdour Boat Club, which is perched on the pier itself. At the end of the road that leads to the harbour is a path around the harbour which leads to the Hawkcraig Point, the rocky promentory that seperates Blacksands and the harbour from Silversands beach. The path continues over the Hawkcraig Point to Silversands giving excellant views over the beaches the harbour and over the Forth to Edinburgh.