The long and wide beach is bordered by an extensive dune system that stretches 14 miles (23 km) from Aberdeen to just north of the Ythan Estuary at Newburgh.

Other services include a car mechanic, and the White Horse Inn (a hotel, bar and restaurant).

Stagecoach East Scotland provides 'Bluebird' bus services linking the area with Aberdeen, Ellon, Fraserburgh and Peterhead.

Defused and unexploded bombs from Luftwaffe raids in Aberdeen were brought here to be cleaned of explosives or detonated on the foreshore.

In 2006, Donald Trump purchased a large part of the estate and proposed to build an extensive development, including two 18-hole golf courses, a 450-room hotel, conference centre and spa, 36 golf villas, 950 holiday homes, accommodation for 400 staff and residential developments comprising 500 houses.

Although this would substantially damage habitat at a Site of Special Scientific Interest, according to analysis by Scottish Natural Heritage,[5][6] planning officials from Aberdeenshire Council recommended approval of the development.

In December 2015, Trump's attempt to prevent a windfarm being built within sight of his golf course was dismissed by five justices at the Supreme Court.

[11] The project, formally named the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre, was completed in late 2018.