Beach Walking on The Moray Firth
Short Walks Along Scotland's Beautiful Northeast Coast.
The beaches of the Moray Firth in northern Scotland offer some of Britain's most spectacular coastal scenery and yet remain almost unknown outside of the local area.
The costal stretches of the counties of Highland and Moray way up in the north of Britain boast some of the finest beaches in the country, ones that see very few visitors each year.
The Moray Firth
Heading east from Inverness along the Moray Firth (an sea inlet, Scotland's largest), huge expanses of largely unspoilt golden sand dot the coast, backed by pine forests and dunes until the Firth opens out and joins the chilly waters of the North Sea. Abundant in marine wildlife, including bottlenosed, common, whitebeaked and Risso's dolphin, porpoises, and more rarely, killer and pilot whales, the Moray Firth rarely however, heats up enough to become inviting for swimmers.
Nairn and Culbin beaches
Seventeen miles east from Inverness lies Nairn, a Victorian spa town which retains much of its Gothic architecture and boasts two championship eighteen hole golf courses. Nairn beach boasts stunning views across the Moray Firth to the Black Isle and also marks the western end of the Culbin Forest. The beach itself is easily accesible from the town centre.
Culbin forest (costal pine, and planted in the 1920's to stabilise drifting sand dunes) is best accessed from the town of Forres further east along the coast and free parking is available at Wellhill (signposted from the A96), a few miles from Forres. Although the forest is manmade, several species of animal now call it home including the badger, red squirrel, roe deer and otter along with a variety of birds. Trails are marked out in the forest, and the beach and dunes are as beautiful as anywhere along the coast. Organised events ranging from family cycle rides, guided educational walks and walking and camping trips along the coast are held throughout the year in all forests along the Moray coast managed by the Forestry Commison.
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Findhorn and Roseisle
Five miles northeast of Forres, at the eastern end of the Culbin is the village of Findhorn, home to the world famous Findhorn Foundation. Popular with tourists and walkers in the summer months, Forres can be seen across Findhorn Bay while seals are commonly spotted on the sea-side sandbars, and dolphins appearing further offshore. It's worth checking tidal times before planning a walk on the beach as the amount of beach between the sea and sand dunes can vary hugely depending on the tide. Plenty of pubs and cafes are open to cater for summer visitors and holiday homes can be rented in the village.
Yet further east is Roseisle beach, approximately a five mile walk along the coast from Findhorn and a short car journey from Forres. Fees may be charged for parking in summer. Barbeque facilities, bike and walking trails are features of the pine forest behind the beach, which is an extension of the golden sands of Findhorn and further west. The village of Burghead is a further six mile walk (east) along the beach and a walk westwards to Findhorn will easily take up most of a day.
