Banff

Banff is the former county town of Banffshire, lying at the mouth of the River Deveron in the northeast of Scotland. It is an old fishing port whose history is closely entwined with that of Macduff, just half a mile to the east across Banff Bay and long connected by Banff Bridge. The two towns are still home to many businesses connected to the fishing industry, and boats in general, and together form the largest urban area between Buckie and Fraserburgh. Despite being set on a scenic coastline, there are few amenities for tourists in the towns, although they do serve as good bases for those wishing to explore the coast. Generally speaking, it is the smaller harbours and villages that draw the tourists, the industrial nature, particularly of Macduff, being a little less attractive!

The A98 winds its way through the two towns, never far from the coast despite running a long way inland to both the east and west. The A97 terminates in Banff, after a long run north from Deeside in Aberdeenshire. After a short multiplex with the A98, the A97 continues to the former railway station, with the very short and almost unnecessary A953 doubling back to the harbour. In the town centre, the B9142 follows the old route of the A98 for a short distance, as well as maintaining its own original route through the narrow streets.

Immediately to the east of Banff Bridge, the A947 arrives after a long cross-country journey from Aberdeen, and terminates at the junction. Macduff also has B roads, with the B9026 providing a link through the town between the A98 and A947, whilst the B9031 heads east, taking the coastal route towards Fraserburgh, whilst the A98 runs inland. To the west, the B9038 turns off the A98 towards Whitehills, another fishing port, where it meets the B9121. Both routes also meet the B9139 which takes the more coastal route to Portsoy, while the A98 runs further inland.

Routes

Route	To	Notes
A97	Aberchirder, Huntly
A98	Inverness, Elgin (A96), Fochabers
A98	Fraserburgh, Peterhead (A950)
A947	Turriff, Aberdeen (A96)
A953		short road to Harbour
B9026		Link in Macduff
B9031	Fraserburgh, Gardenstown (B9123)	Also passes Pennan
B9038	Whitehills
B9139	Portsoy
B9142		short link in east of the town, including former part of A98

Links

• Undiscovered Scotland