There is a golfing landscape in Forres and the surrounding Moray area that is as appealing as it is underappreciated. Between the Cairngorm foothills and the Moray Firth, this part of Scotland has a character all its own. The game here is defined by firm turf, clean coastal air and a dramatic light, underpinned by … Read more
There are few places in Scotland where one can see the rise of agritourism as clearly as in Forres and the surrounding Moray area. It has become a preferred means of getting to know the Scottish countryside, and this part of the northeast is no exception. With its mix of fertile farmland, small villages, coastal … Read more
There is much to like about Forres for the traveller with a dog in tow. This historic town has an air of relaxation that serves as a fine counterpoint to the more crowded tourist haunts. Between the open countryside, woodland and coastal views, it makes for an agreeable base. The proposition for dog owners is … Read more
This is an easy enough walk through a large green space, but with each step, there’s a story that you might otherwise miss. This park at the heart of Forres IS the heart of the town and equally demonstrates the heart of a local boy who moved away, made his fortune and came back to … Read more
The story behind Randolph’s Leap is a misnomer. As you’ll discover, in the story of a chase between two fighting families, the jumper was Alexander Cumming, and Randolph likely stayed on the bank, and watched his target escape into the woods. The story is one of the most famous in the area, and the history … Read more
There is a quiet satisfaction to be had at Roseisle, one of the Moray coast’s more rewarding spots. A walk through the coastal forest will in time open up, with little fanfare, onto an expanse of beach. It is a landscape that begs to be repeated: forest, then beach, and so on. The transitions are … Read more
Culbin Forest is an expanse of pine and dune running along the coast from Nairn to Findhorn Bay, all criss-crossed by gravel track. It covers thousands of acres and, if we are being honest, you get half its appeal by just choosing a path and making your way to wherever it takes you. There is … Read more
There’s a particular kind of satisfaction in covering the ground on a route that has long since been superseded by newer ways of doing things. The Dava Way is a case in point. This 24-mile trail from Forres to Grantown-on-Spey is a fine example of how to repurpose industrial heritage into something of striking diversity. … Read more
There is a tendency to view a castle estate as something of a relic, all grand rooms and formal lawns with their stories kept behind velvet ropes. Brodie Castle does not give off that air. For families in search of both quiet and a bit of wonder, it is far more welcoming. Tucked into the … Read more
If you have an hour to spare and would rather not be in the car, this is where to head. Sanquhar Pond is less than a mile from the High Street, set in a patch of woodland on the south side of town that most visitors never come across because they are not pointed in … Read more