Hackley Bay, Aberdeenshire

Discovering Hackley Bay in Watercolour

I’m thrilled to unveil my latest watercolour, Hackley Bay, a scene that has long called to me from the clifftops of the Forvie National Nature Reserve in Aberdeenshire. Nestled beneath the rugged promontory of Hackley Head, this hidden sandy inlet reveals itself only to those who follow the winding path from the reserve towards the North Sea. As the sun drifts behind fast-moving clouds, the light plays across the bay’s golden sands and the weather-beaten cliffs, inviting a moment of quiet reflection.

A Landscape Etched by History

Hackley Bay’s serenity conceals a colourful past. Local legend speaks of furtive smugglers’ landings under the cloak of darkness, while stone fortifications and training trenches from the Second World War still bear silent witness to the area’s role in D-Day preparations. Today, the bay forms part of Britain’s largest sand-dune system and enjoys protected status as a RAMSAR site. In spring, carpets of thrift and sea campion border the cliffs, and puffins return each year to nest on the grassy slopes overhead, their bright beaks punctuating the horizon.

Bringing the Scene to Life

To capture the bay’s elusive atmosphere, I began with a photograph taken on a still morning, when the sea mirrored the pale blues and grey-greens of the sky. Working on Arches cold-press paper, I built up multiple transparent washes of cerulean and viridian, allowing each layer to dry before gently softening the edges with clean water. For the cliffs, I switched to a drier brush loaded with earthy sienna and burnt umber, layering strokes to suggest the rock’s rugged texture. Finally, I added delicate touches of ochre and sap green to evoke the spring grasses and wildflowers that cling to the cliff-top.

An Invitation to Wander

With Hackley Bay framed on your wall, you’re invited to take that cliff-top walk yourself—to breathe the salty air, to listen for the calls of guillemots far below, and to imagine the lives that once passed this way under cover of darkness. Whether you’re drawn by Scotland’s dramatic coastline or the whisper of history carried on the sea breeze, I hope this painting offers you a place of calm discovery and timeless beauty.

Learn More

Discover more of the story behind Hackley Bay and view more of my Aberdeenshire coastline watercolours in this news post.