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Now that’s what you call a flat white

Stretching from the narrow outlet of Findhorn Bay, Findhorn Beach is a long, uninterrupted stretch of fine white sandy beach close to the village of Findhorn, and easily accessible with plenty of car parking. There is also a smaller beach accessed along the village waterfront which goes past the marina, boathouse and pontoons. A footpath runs from the village centre along the waterfront between the shoreline properties and the beach.

This is one of the most popular beaches on the Moray coast and a good place for a gentle stroll or serious birdwatching session. The Moray Coast Trail follows the beach as it curves round the large bay to Burghead, passing through Roseisle.

Along the way you’ll pass an interesting feature, a line of large concrete tank traps put here in World War II to prevent tanks from being offloaded on the beach and driving inland.

The sand is separated from the land by a shingle strip, but it’s an easy stride to get to the firm, flat sands and you can literally walk for miles, all the way to Burghead in fact.

In July 2023, the Findhorn Beach was voted Scotland’s best by a journalist writing for The Times and Sunday Times. Chris Haslam visited 50 around Scotland for what they call the only gazetteer of the coast.

The writer travelled more than 4000 miles visiting beaches around the coast, ranking them for positives such as cleanliness, car parking, accessibility, facilities, hygiene and toilets. See Findhorn is Scotland’s best beach – but we knew that anyway!

Beach huts

A more modern addition is a string of brightly-painted beach huts, providing a dry and wind-free retreat for anyone who can afford one – they’re £25,000 each! At least two of them are available for hire on a daily basis.

The addition of these huts in recent years caused much controversy, however, they have since become a much-photographed symbol of Findhorn, and more are being added.

While in the vicinity of the beach, it’s also worth exploring the Findhorn Bay Local Nature Reserve and Findhorn Heritage Centre. It’s also near to the Findhorn Foundation, which you will have passed to get here, unless you came in along the Moray Coast Trail, and even then, you will have gone past the wind farm that is part of it.

Where is Findhorn beach?

When drained of seawater, Findhorn Bay is a vast area of sand, however, this isn’t the ‘beach’ as such, the flats are subject to fast incoming tides. There is however, a small ‘bay beach’, popular with locals for sunbathing, and then the ‘beach proper’ around the corner which stretches for miles.

To get here from Forres, follow signs on the A96 roundabout to Findhorn. As you come into the village, there a signposted road to ‘East Beach’ where you’ll find a large, free car park.

If you drive further into the village, you can access the ‘West Beach’ by driving past the Crown and Anchor, and taking the turning signposted. Follow the track down to the beach.

Facilities

Improvements have been made to toilets, car parks and steps in recent years, as well as the addition of a motorhome aire.

From spring 2024, a charge of £1 a day will apply (£30 annual pass available) at the west beach, with free disabled parking outside the charging area.

Parking at the east beach will remain free. There are designated disabled bays here too.

Steps at both beaches have been renovated and two stepless ramps allow wheechair access to the ridge that borders the beach.

Places to eat in Findhorn

• Captain’s Table (inside and outside)
• Crown & Anchor (inside and outside) | review
• Kimberley Inn (inside and outside)
• The Bakehouse Market (outside seating only)