Discover Your Backyard: The Seafield Arms Cullen – A Stylish Stay in the Heart of Cullen Scotland
- Apr 17
- 11 min read
Author: Barry Pickard
Hi, I'm Barry, the owner of Tailor-Made Itineraries and I have been designing bespoke self-guided tours for adventurous and curious travellers since 2015. I am a history graduate with a passion for travel.
I created this blog to show, through my own adventures, how you can have an incredible travel experience as an independent traveller, giving you the information to navigate the world with confidence.
Contents
Picture this: you pull up on a crisp late-February evening and step out into the kind of cold that only the Moray coast delivers — a clean, briny chill that carries the faint smell of sea haar and woodsmoke from somewhere nearby. The streets of Cullen are quiet, lit by a low winter sun already dipping behind the rooftops, and the only sound is the distant strain of rigging in the harbour. Then you look up, and there it is — a vast Victorian viaduct straddling the town like it was always meant to be there, the stone almost amber in the fading light. That is Cullen Scotland on a late-winter weekend, and I was already glad I'd made the drive.
Disclosure: One night of my two night stay at The Seafield Arms was complimentary as part of a partnership. As always, all views and opinions expressed in this post are my own honest and impartial reflections.
Is The Seafield Arms in Cullen worth a stay? Short answer: absolutely yes — and I’ll prove it to you over the next few minutes. I’ve been designing bespoke self-guided tours and writing about Scottish travel since 2015, which means I’ve stayed in a fair few hotels, from budget bunkhouses on the West Highland Way to boutique boltholes on the Moray coast. I know what good looks like, and I know when somewhere genuinely earns its reputation. The Seafield Arms Cullen earns it.
In this post you’ll find everything you need to decide whether The Seafield Arms Cullen is right for your trip — from the rooms and the food to the best things to do in Cullen and beyond. This review is built entirely on my own experience of a two-night stay, so what you read here is what I actually lived — no press trips dressed up as candid opinion, no recycled blurb from a tourism website. I paid for one night myself and the other was complimentary as part of a partnership (more on that in the disclosure above), but as always, every word here is my own honest take. If you’re planning a road trip Scotland style, whether you’re tracing the Scotland driving routes of the NE250 or simply looking for a weekend escape to Cullen Moray, you’ve found the right article. Let’s get into it.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting Cullen Scotland appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the attractions of Cullen and Moray, or indeed, a general tour of Scotland itself.
The Seafield Arms Cullen
Situated right beside Cullen’s handsome town square and just steps from the iconic railway viaduct, The Seafield Arms Hotel (17–19 Seafield Street, Cullen, Buckie, AB56 4SG) is a refined blend of boutique luxury, contemporary Scottish design, and warm village hospitality. For our off‑season weekend celebrating my mum’s birthday, it proved to be the perfect coastal retreat.
Travelling up from Aberdeen, the drive took just under two hours — a beautiful route that always feels like a mini-escape in itself. If you’re planning a road trip, this stretch of the Moray coast sits squarely on the NE250 — one of the best Scotland driving routes for those who want dramatic coastline, distillery stops, and historic fishing villages all in one loop. Cullen is accessible by public transport too, though it takes longer: buses from Aberdeen normally require a change, and journeys via Keith using the train-and-bus combo take at least a couple of hours. But once you arrive, everything in the town is walkable, peaceful, and wonderfully scenic.
Checking In – Warmth from the Start
But here’s the thing — The Seafield Arms isn’t just a comfortable place to sleep. It’s a proper base for one of the most underrated coastal escapes in Scotland. Here’s what you need to know.
Having pre‑paid in advance, our arrival could not have been easier. We were welcomed by a friendly receptionist and checked in within minutes. The hotel’s lobby is small, stylish, and cosy — that unmistakable blend of modern elegance with subtle Scottish touches you’ve come to expect from quality boutique properties.
Despite limited parking in the inner courtyard, the adjacent town square car park is free and plentiful, so arriving by car is stress‑free.
A Charming Cottage Stay
Rather than staying in one of the rooms within the main hotel building, we enjoyed a two‑bedroom stay in the Carriage Cottage, which sits quietly along the courtyard. This set‑up was ideal for a family visit: two spacious bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, connected by a compact sitting room.
The bedrooms were surprisingly large — both fitted with comfortable double beds — and the whole cottage had a homely warmth. With electric heaters, heated towel rails, coffee machines in both rooms, and TVs in the sitting room and larger bedroom, we were very well‑equipped. A fan is provided for the summer months, and although there’s no air conditioning, you’ll rarely feel its absence on the Moray Coast.
Daily housekeeping kept everything spotless, and despite being close to the hotel grounds, the cottage remained wonderfully quiet at night. We felt completely secure, and Wi‑Fi coverage was strong throughout.
Our only view was into the courtyard, but when you’re in a cottage with this level of comfort and charm, the setting feels fitting.
I also had the chance during my stay to view one of the king-sized urban rooms within the hotel itself and the Stable Cottage, which was in the same courtyard as our Carriage Cottage. The urban room has the perfect mix between modern and contemporary style, meanwhile Stable Cottage features 3 super-king bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a self-catering kitchen along with a relaxing lounge area.
Urban Room
Stable Cottage
Dining at The Seafield Arms
The hotel offers several dining and lounge options:
Grant Dining Room – elegant, over‑18s only, serving refined Scottish cuisine
Bar 19 – relaxed, gastro‑pub style, but with the full Grant Dining Room menu available
Findlater Lounge – a warm, inviting space perfect for pre‑ or post‑dinner drinks
Grant Dining Room
Bar 19
Findlater Lounge
We opted to dine on‑site for both evenings of our stay, and every dish impressed. Being in Cullen, it was only right to start with Cullen Skink, and it set the tone for the rest of the meal — rich, comforting, and beautifully presented.
We sampled a variety of mains, including:
Monkfish Scampi
Seafield Steak, Stilton & Ale Pie
Haggis, Neeps & Tatties
Beer‑Battered Haddock
Each dish was exceptional, generously portioned, and beautifully cooked. Dessert was a highlight too: the White Chocolate Crème Brûlée was divine.
There was also a good children’s menu (Bangers ’n’ Mash and Chicken Nuggets won our young traveller’s approval), and I was pleased to see a solid selection of vegetarian and vegan options, along with clear dietary labels throughout the menu.
The dining prices are slightly above average for the area, but the quality more than justifies it.
Dinner was then followed with a quiet and relaxing drink in the Findlater Lounge. The well-stocked bar boasts a couple of local beers on tap. Being a craft beer fan, I happily tried out a couple of pints of Sunshine on Keith, Spey Valley brewery's excellent IPA.
We also had breakfast at the hotel both mornings and we we're impressed with the selection of cooked to order dishes, as well as the continental options.
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Cullen – A Coastal Gem with a Rich Heritage
Before diving into what there is to see and do, it’s worth pausing to appreciate the setting itself. Cullen is one of Moray’s most picturesque coastal towns, a place that effortlessly blends postcard charm with centuries of history. Once two separate settlements — Seatown and Upper Cullen — it grew around fishing, textiles, and its historic harbour. The dramatic railway viaducts that tower over the town were constructed in the late 19th century as part of the Great North of Scotland Railway, and today they stand as iconic reminders of an era when rail travel shaped the region.
Cullen’s character is unmistakable: traditional ice‑cream‑coloured cottages, sweeping coastal views, and a shoreline that invites wandering in every season. Its heritage is woven into everyday life too — from the famed Cullen Skink soup to the town’s deep-rooted fishing traditions. Whether you’re exploring the clifftops or strolling through Seatown’s narrow lanes, Cullen feels like a timeless escape on the Moray Firth.
Exploring Cullen
And it gets better — Step outside the front door of the hotel and you’re already in the middle of one of the most walkable, history-rich little towns on the Moray coast. Here’s what’s on offer.
We’ve visited Cullen several times before, and each trip reminds us just how much this small seaside town offers. During previous visits — as well as this one — we’ve explored all the attractions below, and the experience never gets old.
Cullen Viaduct
The towering stone viaducts are Cullen’s defining landmark. You can walk along the top for panoramic views across Cullen Bay, Seatown’s neat rows of cottages, and the golden sweep of the beach. It’s an easy, scenic walk suitable for all ages.
Castle Hill
Castle Hill offers one of the best viewpoints in Cullen. Although little remains of the original castle, the grassy mound provides a short, rewarding climb with breathtaking views of the village, harbour, and dramatic coastline.
Cullen Beach
A long, pristine expanse of sand framed by dunes and rugged cliffs. Great for family walks, beachcombing, picnics, and spotting dolphins offshore. Every visit feels a little different depending on the season and tide.
Antique Shops
Cullen is locally known for its antiques scene, with several shops dotted throughout the town. They’re full of curiosities, vintage treasures, and local finds — perfect for a leisurely rummage.
The Ice Cream Shop
A must‑stop for its famously creamy Cullen ice cream. Classic flavours and seasonal specials keep it interesting, and it’s loved by locals and visitors alike.
The Sauna at The Kings
A newer addition to the town’s offerings — a beautifully designed coastal sauna experience overlooking the bay. Perfect for relaxing after a day exploring.
Cullen Links Golf Club
A historic links course dating back to 1870, offering dramatic scenery and a traditional golfing experience right beside the sea.
Attractions Beyond Cullen
Wait — there’s more. Cullen itself is just the starting point. The wider Moray Scotland region is packed with day-trip options that make a multi-night stay here an obvious choice.
The Moray coast and Speyside region offer no shortage of things to do in Moray — all within easy reach of the Seafield Arms. If you’re looking to visit Moray Speyside properly, here’s where to start:
Bow Fiddle Rock (Portknockie)
One of Scotland’s most photographed natural landmarks. This dramatic sea arch, shaped like a fiddle’s bow, is breathtaking in any weather and wonderful for photography or coastal walking.
Findlater Castle
A spectacular ruined cliff‑top fortress perched precariously above the North Sea. The walk out to it is atmospheric and full of drama, with sweeping coastal vistas.
Deskford Church
A beautifully preserved medieval church, quietly tucked away in the countryside. It’s serene, historic, and offers a glimpse into the region’s past.
Macduff Marine Aquarium
An engaging attraction for families and marine‑life enthusiasts. Its exhibits showcase the diverse sea life of the Moray Firth, and the central kelp reef tank is always a highlight.
Tarlair Swimming Pool
Tarlair Swimming Pool is a striking 1930s Art Deco seawater lido carved into a sheltered bay just east of Macduff, celebrated for its sweeping curves and dramatic coastal setting. Once abandoned, it’s now being steadily restored
Duff House (Banff)
Part of the National Galleries of Scotland, this grand 18th‑century mansion is filled with art and history. Its grounds make for a lovely stroll too.
The Harbour Villages
The Moray Coast is dotted with charming harbours:
Portsoy – famous for its annual boat festival and beautiful old harbour
Findochty – colourful cottages and a peaceful, picture‑perfect marina
Sandend – a tiny village with a stunning beach, popular with surfers
Speyside Whisky Distilleries
World‑class distilleries are within easy reach — ideal for whisky lovers looking to combine coastal relaxation with Speyside’s renowned spirit-making heritage.
Service & Hospitality
Throughout the weekend, the staff were fantastic — warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming without being overbearing. Everything we needed was taken care of with a smile, and it made the stay feel truly special.
Findlater Lounge
A Trip to Remember
One of the most memorable aspects of our visit was that the Cullen Skink World Championships were being hosted at the hotel during our stay. It was fascinating to watch cooks prepare their interpretations of this famous local dish.
For those unfamiliar, Cullen Skink is a traditional Scottish soup made from smoked haddock, potatoes, and onions. It originated in Cullen itself and has become beloved far beyond the Moray Coast for its rich, comforting flavour. It's a dish deeply tied to local identity — hearty, warming, and unmistakably Scottish — which makes it especially fun to witness in competitive form.
Would I Recommend The Seafield Arms?
Absolutely. Whether for a romantic escape, a family break, or a coastal getaway with friends, The Seafield Arms combines boutique comfort with village charm perfectly. I wouldn’t change a thing about our stay, and everything matched what was promised on the hotel’s website.
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Conclusion
The Seafield Arms hotel Cullen is one of those rare places that does everything well without making a fuss about it — stylish rooms, exceptional food, genuinely warm staff, and a location that puts the very best of Cullen Scotland and the wider Moray landscape right on your doorstep. Whether you arrive as part of a longer road trip Scotland itinerary — perhaps following one of the iconic Scotland driving routes like the NE250 — or simply making a dedicated weekend break to explore Cullen Moray, this hotel deserves a place on your shortlist. From the Cullen Skink World Championships unfolding in the Grand Ballroom to the quiet, comforting warmth of the Carriage Cottage at the end of a long coastal walk, my stay reminded me exactly why I keep coming back to this stretch of the Moray coast. If you’re on the fence, trust me — book it.
Related Blog Posts
If you would like more information on Cullen and the Moray region, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Have you stayed at The Seafield Arms or visited Cullen Scotland? I’d love to hear about your experience — drop a comment below and let me know your highlights!
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting Cullen Scotland appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the attractions of Cullen and Moray, or indeed, a general tour of Scotland itself.
Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
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