SECRETS OF THE NORTHERN STAR
There’s fun for all the family in scenic Moray
With historic market towns, pretty coastal hamlets, a stunning coastline listed by National Geographic as among the world’s Top 20 and fine malt whisky distilleries, there are endless discoveries to be made in Moray Speyside. Explore this enchanting area and find places of real character. Forres, Findhorn, Burghead and Hopeman Forres is known for its awardwinning parks and gardens, filled with beautiful flowers.
It is well worth visiting the ancient Sueno’s Stone, one of Britain’s most remarkable sculpted monuments.
Nearby Findhorn is a natural habitat for many species of birds and home to a delightful harbour.
A little further along the coast lies the historic village of Burghead, once the site of a Pictish fort.
In neighbouring Hopeman you will find two long sandy beaches and a great 18-hole golf course. Elgin and Lossiemouth The region’s largest town is Elgin and at its heart sits a cathedral which is one of Scotland’s most beautiful medieval buildings.
Built of yellow sandstone, it dates from the 13th century and is known as as ‘The Lantern of the North’.
Visit leading malt whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail and Johnstons of Elgin, famous for its luxury cashmere.
The seaside town of Lossiemouth is well worth visiting, boasting two classic links golf courses and two superb stretches of golden sand flanking the harbour. Fochabers, Keith, Buckie and Cullen By the River Spey, Fochabers is an attractive spot where you will find Baxters Highland Village, the perfect place for a family day out where you can travel back in time in the original grocery store.
Stop off in Keith and you will hear the rich local Doric dialect being spoken. The town has done so much to preserve the dialect of North-East Scotland that it was named our first Scots Toun.
It is also home to Strathisla, Scotland’s oldest continuously operating distillery. The Keith and Dufftown Railway runs tourist trains on a scenic 11-mile whisky line during the summer, with special services at other times.
Head back towards the coast to the traditional fishing town of Buckie, where you will find a busy skate park run by local enthusiasts.
It attracts skateboarders, BMX bikers and inline skaters from the local area and beyond.
Follow the coast further and discover Cullen’s broad bay, backed by a spectacular viaduct. Speyside Follow the Malt Whisky Trail through Speyside, where you can tour world-famous distilleries and visit the award winning Speyside Cooperage.
Spend some time in Dufftown, the Malt Whisky Capital, or wander around Aberlour, an attractive village by the River Spey.
Keen walkers can tackle a section of the Speyside Way, a long-distance walking route, and admire the dramatic outline of the Grampian Mountains.
Whether you take a day trip from Aberdeen or Inverness – or make a holiday of it from the Central Belt – the character-filled towns and villages of Moray Speyside are full of spirit that is simply waiting to be discovered.
www.morayspeyside.com