If going fishing or attending festivals in Scotland makes your dreams come true, not to mention lovely Scottish coastal villages and Forts, here are a few suggestions for exploring.
Festivals
Here in Moray, we are lucky to enjoy a range of festivals throughout the year that offer experiences not available all year round. Finding reasons to visit Scotland is not difficult for most people, and many people organise their visit around a Festival such as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo or Up Helly Aa in Orkney.
May – however, for whisky lovers, that means the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which is held annually during the first week of May, is a must. This world-class event allows visitors to visit distilleries often unavailable, meet the master distillers, enjoy unique tasting visits, and make new friends. Book yourself a Breakfast or enjoy a unique dinner pairing – there is something for everyone. With over 50 Speyside distilleries, this Festival is an exceptional experience you cannot find elsewhere.
June—If you are a walker, we have the Moray Outdoor Walking Festival in June. I love this Festival. If you have not already guessed, I am a real outdoors girl, and Moray is the place to be outdoors. This midsummer Festival is the ideal way to explore Moray, from the foothills of the Cairngorms to our award-winning Coastline.
The Festival is a 10-day event with a choice every day, so it is easy to make it a short break or include it as part of your holiday. All levels are catered for, and it is not just for walkers—you have cycling, historical talks, nature walks, and canoeing, for example. The hardest part is deciding which activity you would like to include.
September continues Moray’s excellent knowledge of Distilled Spirits. Distilled will take place in Elgin in September. This is a two-day immersion into local Distilled spirits, and it is your chance to meet the producers and taste the products.
September also offers the Nairn Book and Arts Festival. We were visiting authors, and superb talks and exciting musical events in the evening were all on our doorstep. I am watching the soon-to-be-published programme for this festival.
Findhorn
If you are staying with us, you can spend the whole day exploring Findhorn, and I recommend you do. Findhorn is a village that sits at the mouth of the River Findhorn, hence its name. The River is one of the longest rivers in Scotland, offering superb walking, some of the best whitewater rafting, and salmon fishing.
The village of Findhorn, once a busy fishing village in a picturesque bay of Moray Firth, is now a conservation village just right for exploring and enjoying the beautiful views.
I recommend visiting Logie Steading and walking along the River to Randolph’s Leap before enjoying a quick coffee or lunch. Then, you have time to visit the village of Findhorn, explore the village, visit the cafe at Findhorn Foundation or Torta Findhorn by the bay, walk along the beach or sign up for Paddle Board lessons. Better still, take a trip out of the mouth of the river with North 58 Adventures past the seals looking for Dolphins. After that, have dinner in the village and enjoy a spectacular sunset.
Fishing
You are in Scotland, home of Salmon fishing, so why not cross fishing in Scotland off your bucket list? Test your skills on the Findhorn, the Spey, or one of five other major rivers only a short drive away. If nothing else, you will learn how to cast and enjoy a day on the River in the beautiful scenery.
Forts
Fort George, a spectacular 300-year-old Fort, home of the Highland Regiments, is situated on the Moray Firth, so stand on the ramparts and look out for dolphins.
Let me know in the comments which of these ideas appeals to you.