Memorable things to do in Moray Speyside
I have completely fallen in love with Moray Speyside. Each time I visit, I create amazing memories and give myself more reasons to return. Here are my 10 top experiences to get you inspired.
This post is sponsored by Visit Moray Speyside who asked me to write about my favourite experiences in the region.
Moray Speyside is an area of outstanding natural beauty: from the wilds of the Cairngorms National Park to the breathtaking Moray Coast, and all the rural loveliness in between. Not that it rests on good looks alone; the experiences on offer in Moray Speyside are as varied as the scenery. How will you choose to explore it?
In this region alone you can walk the long-distance coastal path, ride a vintage railway, and follow the Malt Whisky Trail. Oh, and let’s not forget about all the castle-hunting, dolphin-spotting, seafood-munching, beach-bumming opportunities along the way too.
Moray Speyside is without doubt one of my favourite areas in Scotland. It is such a diverse and visually delightful place to visit, and it comes with the bonus of not being overcrowded with tourists. Sounds too good to be true, surely?
It’s time to visit Moray Speyside and see for yourself.
COVID-19: I have indicated with a wee * which businesses/activities have not fully re-opened but I would recommend double-checking the websites and social media channels for any further updates.
My favourite things to do in Moray Speyside
1) Explore Charming Fishing Villages
Whenever I think of the coast in Moray Speyside, images of quaint and colourful fishing villages immediately spring to mind. Once thriving fishing ports, the picturesque harbours still have berths for fishing boats, but are now predominately used for leisure. The rows of pretty cottages – which were built to accommodate the fishermen who worked from these harbours – are a perfect picture-postcard for the Moray Coast.
Top tips for visiting the fishing villages in Moray Speyside:
- Portknockie – head down to the seafront and let your jaw drop at Bow Fiddle Rock: an extraordinary – and seriously photogenic – sea arch just off the coast. Go for fish & chips at Portknockie Fish & Chip Shop.
- Findochty – walk up to the poignant Findochty War Memorial for the best views of the village then return to the harbour for a pint at Admiral’s Inn.
- Cullen – take a stroll over the iconic viaduct for lovely views of the beach, the Seatown area with its wee fishing cottages, and the harbour which was built by renowned Scottish engineer Thomas Telford in 1819. Afterwards, go to Rockpool Café for a bowl of the village’s world famous soup Cullen Skink. Read my full blog post about Cullen here.
2) Try whisky straight from the source
Whisky lovers will be right at home in Moray Speyside, and if you’re yet to join the club, this is a great place to start. The area is home to more than half of Scotland’s whisky distilleries, so you can easily indulge in a spree of distillery tours if you fancy. Otherwise, just make sure you squeeze in at least one – it would be silly not to.
My recommended whisky distilleries in Moray Speyside:
- Despite being the bestselling and most awarded single malt in the world, Glenfiddich Distillery is still a traditional, family-run distillery which even has its own on-site cooperage to give their all-important casks lots of TLC. Book your visit here.
- Glenfarclas Distillery* has been owned by the same family since it was established in 1865. There aren’t many unpeated whiskies which tickle my taste buds, but Glenfarclas is definitely an exception – it’s a dream! The distillery will remain closed for the remainder of 2020. Those planning to visit next year can keep an eye on Glenfarclas website to plan their visit.
- Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery* filled its last whisky cask in 1983, but the building has been locked in time so that visitors can experience exactly what whisky production would have been like in the last century. When the attraction re-opens, you can walk through the old buildings and production process with an audio guide. For more information visit the Historic Scotland website here.
3) Discover ancient sites + stone carvings
You know you’re in a historic hotspot when you’re frequently on the brink of an unplanned detour after spotting yet another road sign which points to a place of interest. Moray Speyside has a fascinating past, and there are many ways to learn about it. I’m always particularly impressed and intrigued by stone carvings: I imagine the people who crafted them and what they were trying to portray.
Where to find stone carvings in Moray Speyside:
- Sueno’s Stone – standing at 7 meters tall, it is the largest stone of its kind in the UK and one of the finest examples of Pictish artwork in Scotland: the huge protective glass display indicates just how special and important it is. There are various theories about the story and meaning behind the intricate carvings, and I like the fact that there is no definitive answer.Read about Sueno’s Stone here. There is also a Pictish Fort at Burghhead which you can read about here.
- Elgin Cathedral – inside the towers you’ll find displays of extraordinary stone carvings, which were unearthed from the rubble of the partially-ruined cathedral in the 1880s and have been painstakingly restored for public exhibition. The medieval carvings depict the most beguiling and expressive faces, as well as plant life, animals, and mythical creatures. Read more about Elgin Cathedral and its stone carvings here.
4) Visit the Ecovillage in Findhorn
The coastal village of Findhorn has a surprising claim to fame. It is home to The Findhorn Foundation: a registered charity and vast Ecovillage which is known around the world for its spiritual community and sustainable living practises. The community of like-minded residents have their own organic food, renewable energy and eco-waste water treatment. I loved the quirky eco-homes, ‘Whisky Barrel Houses’ which are made from whisky vats.
More tips for visiting Findhorn:
- You can book a walking tour or take a self-guided tour of The Findhorn Foundation, and there is an on-site café where you can have something to eat. You can learn more about visiting the Ecovillage here.
- In the village of Findhorn, you can walk along the blissful bay and marina to the beach. If you’re hungry, head to The Bakehouse Café or sit outside with a pint and fish & chips at The Kimberley Inn.
5) Look out for dolphins
The Moray Firth is home-sweet-home to a colony of bottlenose dolphins and is one of the best places in the UK to witness these adorable, intelligent creatures in their natural habitat. The dolphins can be spotted at any point along the coast so it’s always worth keeping an eye on the water.
Where is best to see dolphins in Moray Speyside:
- Book a trip with Scottish Marine Safari which leaves from Buckie Harbour. I have actually stayed on the Orlik when it was an Airbnb and the hosts Michael and Lorna are fantastic. They know all the best places for dolphins!
- The Scottish Dolphin Centre* at Spey Bay is an excellent place to learn all about dolphins and hopefully catch a wee glimpse too. Entry is free and you can read more about the visitor centre here.
6) Find your dream castle
Whether it’s haunting ruins or fairytale scenes that you’re after, there’s a Scottish castle for everyone in Moray Speyside. I’ve discovered many castles on my travels, and they still never fail to capture my imagination and tug at my tartan heart strings. These grand structures have many a tale to tell, and offer much more than just a pretty picture.
My recommended castles to visit in Moray Speyside:
- Brodie Castle* is the picture of beauty, from its dreamy coral colour tothe secluded location surrounded by trees and countryside. Once the ancestral home of Clan Brodie, there is much to explore within its walls and elaborate rooms. For more information click here.
- Balvenie Castle* sits so close to Glenfiddich Distillery, you can smell the glorious aroma of whisky production in the air. Even as a ruin, this 13th century castle is still an impressive and imposing sight. Read more about Balvenie Castle here.
- Visit the Walled Garden at Gordon Castle and treat yourself to lunch or afternoon tea at the gorgeous, locally-loved café. For more information and to book click here.
7) Stay in quirky accommodation
Whenever I’m planning a trip, finding unique accommodation is always the starting point. To me, having a cute and cosy base is just as important as what I’ll be seeing and doing in the area. Glamping makes you feel closer to your natural surroundings without having to compromise on comfort or manage the practicalities of camping. I look for glamping sites where you can actually meet your hosts, as I really value this these interactions and local recommendations.
My top glamping sites in Moray Speyside:
MacBeth’s Hillock, Forres – fans of Shakespeare may know this spot as the ‘blasted heath’ where the three witches met MacBeth and proclaimed that he would be king. Such a cool wee claim to fame!
The enchanting glamping pods have a kitchen area, an en-suite bathroom and shower, camping chairs to sit outside, a BBQ fire pit, and a picnic table. You can bring your bedding or contact the hosts in advance to hire it. The pods are in an excellent location, close to Brodie Castle, Forres, and the Moray Coast. For more information or to book click here.
Hillside Havens, Dufftown – these luxury pods are some of the best I’ve discovered on my travels. There is a super-comfy double bed with a fluffy duvet, and a pull-out corner sofa bed. If it’s a bit chilly on your visit, don’t worry – the underfloor heating or fire pit outside will sort you out. Failing that, you can now book a pod with a wood-fired hot tub.
There’s also high-speed WiFi and a TV, although I would recommend sitting outside and admiring the countryside views instead. The pods are just outside Dufftown, which is a great base for exploring the Malt Whisky Trail and the cute towns of Keith and Aberlour. For more information or to book click here.
8) Find your perfect beach
Follow the coast from Findhorn to Cullen, and discover the most beautiful beaches along the way. Then, try to choose a favourite – it isn’t easy! Some of the beaches on the Moray Coast could rival those on the West Coast, but they aren’t nearly as well known – and I’m certainly not complaining. You can’t help but feel a wee bit smug when you have a remarkable beach almost all to yourself.
Top tips for visiting the beaches in Moray Speyside:
- Lossiemouth East Beach is an inviting as they come, however the old wooden footbridge to get there is closed for essential repair. The beach can still be accessed from Lossie Forest car park. Follow the directions provided here.
- Hopeman Beach was my favourite place to swim, thanks to the shallow bays which are ideal for easing into. I loved the colourful beach huts and the delicious lobster rolls from Bootlegger’s Bothy: this place is an absolute must when in Hopeman.
- You could be forgiven for driving past Roseisle Country Park in your search for a bonnie beach. The clue isn’t exactly in the name, but there is indeed a beach here: it’s huge and absolutely stunning, sitting against a backdrop of sand dunes and forest.
9) Ride the vintage railway
This retro railway takes you on a journey back in time. The railway line between Keith and Dufftown was opened in 1862 as a connection to the other lines in the area. By the 1950s, the Keith and Dufftown line was predominately used to transport grain to the whisky distilleries, but was later used again for leisure trips between Aberdeen and Dufftown. When the route finally came to a halt in 1991, a group of volunteers came together to restore and re-launch the section between Keith and Dufftown.
Every aspect of operating the railway is now managed by the Keith and Dufftown Railway Association. You’ll meet the volunteers when you purchase your ticket in the classic train station and when you step on board the vintage train carriage: you’ll even see them driving the train!
- The railway has closed its scheduled services for the remainder of 2020, however it can be chartered for special occasions. For more information about the railway, or to make a donation to help the railway cover costs during these difficult times, click here.
- The journey between Keith and Dufftown takes a relaxing one hour through the Speyside countryside. Read more about my experience here.
10) Walk the Moray Coastal Trail
One of the best ways to experience the coastal gems in Moray Speyside is to walk the Moray Coastal Trail. The 44-mile route runs all the way from Forres to Cullen, and can be covered in a leisurely four days or in individual sections for those who have less time.
Experience the rugged beauty of the coastline, as well as all the pristine beaches, quaint villages and cute eateries which I’ve mentioned above. When I walked some of the trail in springtime, the route was alive with colour, from patches of turquoise in the water, to the vibrant gorse and rapeseed which lines the trail.
- For more information on the route and to plan your walk visit here.
Getting around in Moray Speyside
- By public transport – it is possible to travel around the area by bus with Stagecoach North Scotland. There are services which leave from Inverness, and there is the Service 35 which operates on double-decker buses between Elgin and Aberdeen. You can read about my experience travelling on this route here.
- By car – it takes around 3 hours to get to the Moray Speyside area from Edinburgh, and another 30 minutes on top of that to reach the coast. My most recent trip to the area was by car, due to the reduced capacity on public transport, and so I could visit some of the places which are harder to reach unless you’re doing the walk.
