The Wastert to the west of Rosehearty
In the Doric dialect of North East Scotland, "The Wastert" (or The Wastard) is the local name for the rugged, wild, and rocky coastline stretching immediately west of the Aberdeenshire fishing village of Rosehearty. The Wastert is known for its dramatic coastal features, tidal pools, and natural caves. Historically, this remote stretch of coast provided shelter and escape for Jacobite fugitives following the 1745 rebellion—most notably Lord Pitsligo, who hid among these rocks. Location: Head to the village of Rosehearty and when you are in the village follow the closest roads to the coast west and you will eventually see an old control tower and adjacent to that there is a car park. Where you can park and set off from on the walk.
Historical Context
"The Vanishing Laird" refers to Alexander Forbes, the 4th Lord Pitsligo, an influential Aberdeenshire nobleman and Jacobite commander who famously evaded British capture for years following the 1746 Battle of Culloden.Following the disastrous Jacobite defeat, Lord Pitsligo—who was 67 and suffered from severe asthma at the time—was declared an outlaw with a bounty on his head. He vanished into the local landscape and spent the next three years hiding in the Buchan countryside, remarkably protected by loyal locals who refused to betray him despite searches by Redcoats. His lore features prominently in local Aberdeenshire history, with many of his evasions becoming legendary: The Beggar's Disguise: His wife and maid fashioned beggar's clothes for him. He frequently wandered his own estates under the alias "Sanny Brown," and on one occasion even led unsuspecting soldiers directly to the coastal cave where he was hiding.