Wildlife
http://www.wdcs.org
The WDCS Wildlife Centre is based at Spey Bay in the Moray Firth Scotland. Situated alongside a nature reserve where the River Spey enters the Moray Firth, this area is a haven for wildlife.
Moray Firth Bottlenose Dolphins
The Moray Firth contains a resident population of Bottlenose dolphins in excess of 140 animals, making it the largest such population in the North Sea. These animals are much larger than individuals of the same species in warmer waters elsewhere in the world. There are also large populations of both Common and Grey seals, harbour porpoises and some fabulous marine bird watching opportunities. The Friends of the Moray Firth Dolphins have an online guide to watching them:
http://www.loupers.com
http://www.moraydiving.com/ Wildlife Cruises and also Angling or Diving with MV Top Cat, sailing from Lossiemouth
http://www.geminiexplorer.co.uk
Moray Firth Wildlife Marine Tours
Come and enjoy the famous Moray Firth wildlife and stunning coastal scenery on a Moray Firth Marine Tour, sailing 3 times daily aboard the beautiful ex Clyde class lifeboat The Gemini Explorer. Leaving from Buckie
Birdwatching in Moray
http://www.fatbirder.com
http://www.highlandwildlifepark.org Go Wild in the Highlands - Experience Scottish wildlife as well as international endangered animals of mountains and tundra in the spectacular setting of the Highland Wildlife Park. Near Kingussie.
Golf
There are many fine golf courses within an hour’s drive. This is the Region where green fees are among the most affordable in the land and where there is not only world class golf by the seaside but splendid inland and parkland challenges to perfectly complement them. Elgin and the Moray Golf club in Lossiemouth spring easily to mind.
There are also short par 3 courses for beginners or children.
Golf in NE Scotland
http://golf.visitscotland.com
Golf in Moray
http://www.golftoday.co.uk
Golf in Inverness and Nairn region http://www.golfhighland.com
Whisky
Scotland’s Malt Whisky Trail http://www.maltwhiskytrail.com Follow the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail through Speyside to seven working distilleries, including a fascinating cooperage and a historic distillery. From Benromach to Dallas Dhu, a perfect time capsule of whisky-making; from Glen Moray to Strathisla, home and heart of Chivas Regal; from the Glen Grant distillery to the Speyside Cooperage where real coopers work with incredible speed and skill; from Glenfiddich to The Glenlivet and the Cardhu distillery, Scotland’s whisky trail signposts lead you through the picturesque lush countryside of Speyside, the world’s favourite malt whisky region.
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 1st – 9th May 2009 www.spiritofspeyside.com A Fabulous Festival days packed with Whisky Music, Food and Fun at venues throughout Speyside. 200 Events to entertain and enthral whisky lovers, their friends and family.
Rainy Day Activities (with or without the kids!)
http://www.moray-leisure-centre.co.uk Moray Leisure Centre, for swimming, skating, and relaxation suite as well as the gym!
http://www.bowl2000.com Bowl 2000 is situated in Elgin and provides all round fun for all the family. As well as all day ten pin bowling, children can find a whole load of fun in our childrens play area - Lunar Land. As well as this, you can find Pool Tables, Air Hockey and high quality Arcade Games.
http://www.macduff-aquarium.org.uk Macduff Marine Aquarium features marine life from the Moray Firth, Scotland’s largest bay, in a variety of exciting and innovative exhibits. A firm favourite with our 2 year old twins (and we like it too!).
http://www.moraymuseumsforum.org.uk Visit one of Moray’s varied museums to get an introduction to it’s fascinating and sometimes murky past.
Castles
Brodie Castle
Set in parkland, Brodie Castle is old but the family association with the area is even older. The Brodies were first endowed with their lands by Malcolm IV in 1160 and a Thane of Brodie is recorded in the reign of Alexander III. The house contains fine furniture, porcelain, and a major collection of paintings. Woodland walks have been laid out and there is a wild shrubbery and fine daffodil collection.
http://www.nts.org.uk
http://www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk
Ballindalloch Castle is one of the most beautiful and renowned castles in Scotland. Known as the Pearl of the North, it is located in the heart of Speyside, near to the famed whisky distilleries of Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas and Glenlivet. Surrounded by majestic hills, and with the tumbling waters of the Rivers Spey and Avon flowing through the grounds, the setting is truly magnificent.
A much loved family home, Ballindalloch is one of the few privately owned castles to have been lived in continuously by its original family. The Macpherson-Grants have resided here since 1546.
Cawdor Castle
Cawdor. A magical name, romantically linked by Shakespeare with Macbeth. A superb fairy-tale Castle, and just what every visitor is looking for ... Scottish history that you can touch and see and sense for yourself. Cawdor Castle is not another cold monument, but a splendid house and the home of the Cawdor family to this day.
www.cawdorcastle.com
Huntly Castle (Historic Scotland)
The castle, as it stands now, took several hundred years to build. The first structures were built around 1240 by Earl Duncan. The castle became the seat of the Gordon clan in 1314. It is now a very impressive ruin.
http://www.darkisle.com/h/huntly/huntly.html
Spynie Palace (Historic Scotland)
For five centuries, Spynie Palace was the residence of the Bishops of Moray, standing on the edge of Spynie Loch, a sea loch providing direct access and a safe anchorage.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness
Just south of Drumnadrochit, you can explore the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle, one of the largest castles ever built in Scotland. An Historic Scotland property with state of the art visitor centre, completed 2002.
www.historic-scotland.net
Other Visitor Attractions
Elgin Cathedral (Historic Scotland)
The first church was erected on this site in 1224, but possibly as a result of a fire, this was extensively re-built and enlarged towards the end of that century. Severely damaged by the 'Wolf of Badenoch' in 1390 when he burnt the cathedral, Elgin underwent a major period of reconstruction throughout the 15th and 16th centuries. Effectively redundant from the time of the Reformation in 1560, this magnificent sandstone monument was little used during the next 100 years and was virtually abandoned thereafter.
Gradually parts of the structure collapsed as a result of unchecked decay, and it was not until the early 19th century that Elgin Cathedral received the respect it deserved as a fine piece of medieval architecture.
Now standing as one of the most glorious ruins in Scotland it provides the visitor a fine view over Elgin from the top of its towers.
Spynie Palace (Historic Scotland)
For five centuries, Spynie Palace was the residence of the Bishops of Moray, standing on the edge of Spynie Loch, a sea loch providing direct access and a safe anchorage.
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk
Johnstons Cashmere Visitor Centre and Shop
Independently run since 1797, Johnstons has been making beautiful knitwear, clothing and accessories from the most luxurious wools known to man for over two centuries. At our mill on the banks of the River Lossie in Elgin we still produce all our woven accessories, homewares and much more.
http://www.johnstonscashmere.com
http://www.baxters.com
Baxters Highland Village welcomes over 220,000 visitors a year. Set on the banks of the River Spey, near the small village of Fochabers, they have something for every member of the family. They also do the best pancakes with ice cream and toffee sauce in the area….!
Culloden Moor Visitor Centre
National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre, Restaurant and Battlefield Site.
Scene of the last major battle fought on mainland Britain. The final Jacobite uprising ended here on 16 April, 1746, when the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart was crushed by the Government forces, led by the Duke of Cumberland.
http://www.nts.org.uk
Brodie Countryfare
‘As one of the most pleasant shopping experiences in the North of Scotland, Brodie Countryfare offers a blend of quality and a traditional Scottish welcome’ – So if you enjoy luxury products, traditional service and leisurely shopping, Brodie Countryfare is the place to visit. Just a few minutes drive from Brodie Castle, Brodie Countryfare is a wonderful day out and well worth a visit.
www.brodiecountryfare.com
Inverness
Inverness, the capital and principal cross-roads of the Highlands of Scotland, has an enviable location at the head of the Great Glen and on the shores or the Moray Firth. In and around Inverness, you can choose from numerous places to visit and things to do. In the centre of town you will find Inverness Museum and Art Gallery , as well as the Tourist Information Centre. Contemporary local art is on display in various galleries throughout Inverness, notably at art.tm, on the bank of the River Ness, Castle Gallery on Castle Street, and Riverside Gallery on Bank Street. Further upstream, it is difficult to miss the angled-architecture of Eden Court Theatre. Other nearby attractions include the Floral Hall, Whin Adventure Park and the Inverness Sports Centre. However, the biggest draw is the Inverness Aquadome which combines numerous water rides and features with a 25 metre pool and various health and leisure facilities.
Fort George, Ardersier (Historic Scotland)
Built in the aftermath of Culloden, Fort George is one of the most outstanding military fortifications to be found anywhere in Europe. Designed to intimidate the Jacobite Highlanders, Fort George has never seen a shot fired in anger, although today, more than 200 years after it was completed, it is still a working garrison. A property owned by Historic Scotland. Audio visual displays, old barrack rooms, restaurant, summer events programme.
www.historic-scotland.net
www.pluscardenabbey.org Pluscarden Abbey
One of Northern Scotland's most unusual attractions and one which is unique in Britain, is Pluscarden Abbey, near Elgin. It is the only medieval monastery in Britain still inhabited by monks and being used for its original purpose. Founded in 1230 by Alexander II, its site in a sheltered, south-facing glen against a background of forested hillside, adds to its beauty.
http://www.forresweb.net
The former fishing village of Findhorn is situated about 4 miles from Forres, 8 miles from Burghead,originally a busy port with trading ships it is now a peaceful little village. With miles of white sandy beaches and sand dunes to explore, the bay is also popular for various watersports. The village has two pubs offering pub lunches in a relaxed atmosphere, the Crown & Anchor and the Kimberly Inn which serve seafood and real ales. It is also home of the Findhorn Foundation, a spiritual community, ecovillage and an international centre for holistic education.
http://www.findhorn.org
Logie Steading Visitor Centre in the beautiful Findhorn Valley just south of the town of Forres, offers a warm welcome with Arts and Crafts, Shopping, Walled Gardens, River Walks, an Adventure Playground and home-made lunches and refreshments in our Café.
http://www.logie.co.uk
Driving east from Burghead to Aberdeen, the coastline is one of the most fascinating, unspoilt and varied stretches of any in Britain. The touring visitor can enjoy not just the picturesque former fishing villages and the larger fishing ports but also unspoilt beaches, spectacular cliffs, wildlife galore, eating out opportunities, heritage centres and museums, castle visiting - in short, the ingredients of a perfect break in some of the most distinctive and characterful parts of Scotland.
http://www.banffshirecoast.com
Highland Games
Highland Games are a unique mix of the sporting, the cultural and the social. They usually comprise a programme of field and track events, piping and Highland dancing competitions and 'heavy events' like the tug-o-war, the hammer throw and tossing the caber. There is a full programme of Highland Games across Scotland throughout the summer season.
http://www.visitscotland.com
Homecoming 2009
Throughout 2009, a spectacular series of events will celebrate Scotland’s first- ever Homecoming year. From the 250th birthday of our most celebrated poet, Robert Burns, on 25th January until St Andrews Day on 30th November, a diverse programme of events and celebrations will be held throughout the country.
http://www.homecomingscotland2009.com
Outdoor Adventure
http://www.eastgrange.co.uk
The Loft at East Grange, Kinloss is the premier Live music venue in the Moray area. Styles of music are varied with Blues, Indie, Celtic, Country, Americana, Folk & Jazz regularly taking their turn on stage. As well as live music, the Loft has a Bar & Bistro and holds regular comedy. East Grange also offers an interesting range of Activities, Quad Bikes, Rainbow Trout Fishing, small campsite with Wigwams and also Target Shooting at the Biathlon Centre
http://www.landmark-centre.co.uk
Landmark Forest Theme Park, with its Red Squirrel and tree top trails and wildlife feeding areas, offers the chance to get close to nature, learn about the timber industry as well as enjoy the water coaster and adventureland.
White water rafting with Ace Adventure http://www.aceadventures.co.uk
The River Findhorn is the best white water rafting adventure experience to be had in the UK for both unparalleled scenery and exciting whitewater. It is one of the fastest flowing rivers in Scotland. They also organise other outdoor experiences in the Cairngorms National Park
http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/park
The Cairngorms National Park has a large mountain range at its heart with diverse communities around it. It is home to 16,000 people and 25% of Britain’s threatened species. It includes unique mountainous areas of wild land, moorlands, forests, rivers, lochs and glens. A great place to enjoy the scenery or be more active! |
