Located in the north east of Scotland, Moray is famous for its resident bottlenose dolphins that are regularly spotted in the Moray Firth. With beautiful long sandy beaches for families to enjoy, mountains of adventure and adrenaline between lush landscapes, historic buildings and beautiful gardens, a holiday in Moray is packed with things to do. And let’s not forget the whisky, as over half of Scotland’s distilleries are in Moray Speyside and feature more than a few world renowned names.
Where to stay
Speyside by Craigellachie, Craigellachie
Set in a rural location between the coast of Moray and the mountain range of the Cairngorms, this peaceful and relaxing site is a great base for exploring the Moray area.
Silver Sands Holiday Park, Lossiemouth
Overlooking West Beach, this Silver Sands Holiday Park has great facilities, including a heated indoor pool, a clubhouse with a bar and live entertainment, an adventure play area and a shop. There are hard standing, gravel and grass pitches available.
Speyside Gardens Caravan Park, Aberlour
Speyside Gardens Caravan Park is located inside a beautiful Victorian walled garden. Within walking distance of the River Spey, the site is perfectly located for fishing, walking and the local whisky trail. There is a well stocked shop and a children’s play area onsite.
Moray Days out
Best for families: Scottish Dolphin Centre
If seeing Bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat is on your bucket list then head to the Scottish Dolphin Centre, situated on the mouth of the River Spey, where these intelligent animals can be spotted from the shore. Explore the Bones Box, in which you can look at bones from dolphins and whales with one of the centre’s passionate guides and enjoy a fun quiz. Tour the Tugnet Ice House, built in 1832 and 25ft under ground. After all that, take a peaceful walk along the River Spey and keep your eyes open for ospreys and seals.
Best for activities: Cairngorm National Park
The Cairngorm National Park crosses five regions and is the largest in the British isles. A must for any outdoor enthusiast, you can enjoy walking, mountain biking, skiing, climbing, fishing and even husky racing! For those wishing for a more gentle pace, drive to Tomintoul, the highest village in the national park, or picnic in the Glenlivet Estate, full of history and adventure. Moray and Cairngorm National Park is also the perfect location for stargazing, with a very good chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis or Northern lights.
Best for gardens: Gordon Castle Walled Garden
One of the oldest and largest kitchen gardens in Britain, Gordon Castle Walled Garden was built over 200 years ago for the Duke of Gordon. With almost 8 acres to explore, this garden has been lovingly restored in 2013, after laying empty for several years. Explore the vegetable garden, fruit garden, flower garden and the herb and essential oil garden. Produce grown is used in the onsite cafe and sold in their own shop. Enjoy the peace and tranquility with a natural children’s play area, where the kids can run riot while you relax and take in the beauty of your surroundings.
Moray Beaches
Best for families: Findhorn Beach
This pebbly beach at high tide becomes a long and unspoilt sandy beach when the tide is out. The village of Findhorn offers plenty of places to eat and stay and there are beautiful walks around the beach and nature reserve, great for spotting wildlife.
Best for dogs: Lossiemouth East Beach
Lossiemouth East Beach is a golden sandy beach backed by dunes and rich in wildlife, with stunning views over Spey Bay, round to Buckie and towards the domed top of the Bin of Cullen in the distance. Popular with surfers and water sport enthusiasts, although please bear in mind there are no lifeguards at this beach, it has no dog restrictions.
Best for rock pools: Cullen Beach
A long beach with golden sand, this is the perfect place for swimming and snorkeling. At low tide the rock pools become exposed, ready for exploring eyes on the lookout for sea creatures. Perched at the water’s edge are the Three Kings, three 4 metre tall quartzite stacks, believed to be the gravestones of three Norse Kings who died at the Battle of Bauds in 962.
See this
Elgin Cathedral
Also known as the ‘Lantern of the North’ this majestic Cathedral ruin dates back to the 13th century. Badly damaged by a fire in 1390, only the two towers of the west front and chapter house are still intact and open to the public. Don’t let this sway your decision to visit though. Climb to the viewing platform at the top to get incredible views over Elgin that make the trip more than worth it.
Bow and Fiddle Rock
Just off the coast of Portknockie is a Quartzite rock formation resembling the tip of a fiddle bow, formed naturally by the sheer force of waves. An artist’s paradise, this stunning scene can be viewed from the low cliffs or from the beach below. Stay to watch the sun go down behind the rock for a remarkable view.
Do this
Mountain Biking Trails
You won’t be short of choices for mountain bike trails in Moray, but our suggestion is the Moray Monster Trail at Winding Walks. There are fantastic single track routes suitable for everyone, whether beginner or expert, and a skills area to hone your techniques before you hit the trails.
Moray Coast Trail
Running between Findhorn and Cullen, the Moray Coast Trail has 50 miles of marvellous landscapes, pretty fishing villages, sheltered coves and long sandy beaches. This wild coastline has an abundance of wildlife and fauna to spot (make sure you look out for those bottlenose dolphins as you walk.
Eat this
Fish and Chips
After watching the sun go down at Bow and Fiddle Rock, you’ll no doubt be ready for your dinner of traditional seaside fish and chips from Portknockie fish and chip shop. Don’t worry if you’re not a fish fan, you’re at the home of the crunchy fried pop chicken, fresh chicken cut into pieces and fried in secret ingredients exclusive to Portknockie Fish and Chip shop.
Pack a Picnic
With an abundance of beautiful places in Moray, comes many perfect picnic spots to choose from. Here are a few to lay down your picnic blanket and take in the scenery around you:
Califer Hill Viewpoint, Forres is a panoramic view point with fine views across the Moray Firth to the Black Isles.
River Spey at Aberlour has plenty of benches along the beautiful river. Keep a lookout for jumping fish!
Old Bridge of Avon at Glenlivet is a grassy bank with picnic table and views of the lovely old bridge built in 1754.
Drink this
Malt whisky Trails
The clear water or the River Spey attracts many whisky distilleries and has created one of the most important whisky regions, Moray Speyside. The whisky trail is world famous and visits distilleries such as Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. Take a walk through the history of whisky making and as you explore this picturesque countryside.
Grouse Inn
Have we mentioned whiskey yet? Well, in keeping with the theme, The Grouse Inn in Lower Cabrach is supposedly the best stocked whisky bar in Scotland with over 235 whiskies on optics and a collection of 700 bottles. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to test this rumour ourselves, but we’re certain that 935 whiskies will be enough to keep you going for one night.
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