Rathven is a coastal parish, which lies in Moray Council Area, some 8 miles (12 km) north of Keith and 14 miles (23 km) east of Elgin in Moray.
It is located in the old county of Banffshire, which disappeared following the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1974.
The parish has an area of 93.8 sq. km (36.2 sq. miles) and includes the settlement of Buckie. Rathven has 5 neighbouring parishes; namely Bellie, Cullen, Deskford, Fordyce and Keith.