The smallest and most remote of Buchan cliff-foot fishing villages,[1] it comprises a single row of houses, most gable-end to the sea.

[1] Crovie was established by families (crofters) who had been moved off the land to make room for the landowners' sheep.

The fishing industry declined in the 20th century before ceasing altogether with the storm of 1953, which washed away a number of structures and forced the residents to flee.

Described by Charles McKean as having "one of the finest viewpoints in Scotland," Troup Head is a large landmark of red sandstone that rises to 365 feet (111 m).

In the mid-19th century it was recommended that bird-watchers should make a pilgrimage to the cliffs to see large numbers of kittiwake (locally Kitty), razor-bill auk (Coutter), guillemot (Queet) and puffin (Tammy Norie).