Brightly painted cottages cluster round the enchantingly pretty, tidal harbour of Findochty (pronounced finnechty). The custom of painting the houses with such splendour arose from the need to protect the houses from harsh winter storms. Oil paints are used and a pride in individuality has made this laborious task an established tradition. All this decoration may induce the visitor to think that they are not in
Scotland at all, rather in a small Mediterranean port.
The earliest documentary reference of Findochty–field dates from 1440. In 1568 the Ord family acquired the manor, port, custom and fishers' lands of Findochty, and later built the castle, now a ruin, which stands to the west of the village. In 1716 the Ords brought 13 men and 4 boys from
Fraserburgh under contract to fish from Findochty, and for a time the harbour was busy with landings of herring and white fish. Today the fishing boats have moved on to larger harbours. Findochty harbour is now used mostly by pleasure craft and is a good sun spot when the tide is out. A local artist, Correna Cowie created a statue of a seated fisherman who watches over the harbour.
In 1899, prehistoric animal bones taken to be made into implements, were discovered a cave in the cliff near the present bowling green. Horn spoons and needles without eyes and even a broken lignite armlet were found. The bones were dated around 100 BC, but sadly they have since been lost. The cave was blasted and used for rock to build houses and roads, making way for progress during the Industrial Revolution.
To the East of the village the cliffs rise toward Tronach Head, honeycombed with caves and inlets. Clifftop paths link Findochty with the neighbouring village of
Portnockie, and to Strathlene on the outskirts of
Buckie in the other direction.
