The Moray Firth

Friday, midday

Check into the Banff Springs Hotel ( doubles from £ 79, www. thebanffsprings. co. uk), which ties into Banff’s spa town heritage. Book a room with a view of the Moray Firth.

1pm

Enjoy a light lunch from the Seafront Café. Savour their delicious homebaking.

2pm

Delve into the Moray Coast’s rich history and admire William Adam’s elegant 18th- century architecture at Duff House. Gloriously restored by the National Gallery of Scotland, it’s home to period paintings.

3: 30pm

Enjoy a stroll in Duff House’s grounds and visit the Duff Mausoleum – so intent was the Earl of Fife to prove his noble lineage that he is said to have declared that Robert the Bruce was interred here.

5pm

Crisscross the seven- arch bridge that separates Macduff from Banff. There is the bustle of the fishing fleet and hints of glory days gone by.

7: 30pm

Relax back at the Banff Springs. In these parts it has to be a seafood trio of langoustine, salt and pepper squid, plus pan fried scallop for dinner.

Saturday, 9: 30am

Head west for a coastal ramble from Cullen to Sunnyside. Look out for those ubiquitous Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins.

Midday

Back in Cullen warm the cockles with the Rockpool Café’s deliciously salty and creamy Cullen skink.

1: 30pm

Sweep east to Portsoy and descend to the picturesque harbour. Check out the Portsoy Salmon Bothy, a museum dedicated to boat building, fishing and the once brisk Baltic trade.

4pm

Furthest east still, the breathtaking coastal scenery continues with the vaulting cliffs around picture postcard Pennan. It’s easy to see why Hollywood chose this wee whitewashed village to star in Local Hero.

7pm

Enjoy a pint or soft drink at the Pennan Inn. Hold out for fish and chips back in Banff.

Sunday, 9am

Enjoy a life affirming stroll along Banff Beach.

Robin Mckelvie

A car is handy for exploring the Moray Coast, though there are bus connections with Aberdeen and Inverness.