Moray: Coastal Trails and Medieval History

The signposted Moray Coast Trail runs from Findhorn to Cullen, combining a long coastal walk with distinctive historic and scenic highlights. There are also trails through Culbin, mountain bike routes and impressive reminders of Moray’s history. Which aspects you focus on depends on whether you’d rather spend your trip outdoors, along the coast, or visiting castles, cathedrals and collections.

Coastal Trails and River Landscapes

The Moray Coast Trail is about 50 miles, or around 80 kilometres, long. The full route is expected to take about three to five days, but you can also split it into shorter sections. Along the way, it passes cliffs, caves and sandy beaches, as well as the distinctive Bow Fiddle Rock. The route’s scenery ranges from steep coastal formations to open stretches of beach. Check the route details again before your trip.

The Speyside Way offers a different point of reference. It follows the valley of the River Spey, Scotland’s second-longest river. Moray Speyside is part of the long-distance trail, which begins in Buckie and ends in Newtonmore. This gives you two distinct routes to consider: the Moray Coast Trail between Findhorn and Cullen, and the Speyside Way along the Spey Valley. The distilleries also connect the region to Speyside: more than 50 percent of Scotland’s distilleries are located in Moray Speyside.

Mountain Bike Trails and Viewpoints

The Moray Monster Trails offer singletrack mountain bike routes for everyone from beginners to experts. Near the Winding Walks, there’s a skills area where you can practise your technique before taking on the trails. The practice area and the routes are two distinct parts of what’s on offer: practise your skills first, then consider one of the singletrack routes.

Culbin has an extensive network of gravel paths. The Hill 99 Trail leads to the Viewpoint Tower, which offers sweeping views over the treetops and out to the coast. Unlike the mountain bike routes of the Moray Monster Trails, Culbin is characterised here by its gravel paths and viewpoint.

Medieval Sites and Elgin’s History

Spynie Palace preserves the remains of a medieval court residence that served as the palace of the Bishops of Moray. Along with St Andrew’s Castle in Fife, Spynie Palace is one of Scotland’s largest and best-preserved medieval episcopal palaces. Elgin Cathedral was the spiritual centre of the Diocese of Moray; even as a ruin, it is considered one of Scotland’s most ambitious and beautiful medieval buildings.

Duffus Castle was a fortified residence from the 12th to the 18th century, for more than 500 years. The castle is free to visit all year round. Check the seasonal visitor information before your trip, too. These historic sites represent different aspects of medieval history: Spynie’s episcopal residence, Elgin’s spiritual centre and Duffus’s long history as a fortified home.

Elgin Museum opened in 1836 and is Scotland’s oldest independent museum. Its archaeological collection tells the story of Moray from the arrival of people in the Mesolithic period, around 8000 BC, to the Picts of the 3rd to 9th centuries AD. It thus spans a broad period of time that can be traced through specific finds.

The collection includes an important group of carved stones from Kinneddar or Drainie near Lossiemouth, the famous Burghead Bulls and the Dandaleith Stone. This Class I Pictish stone was discovered on a farm near Craigellachie in 2013. The various objects point to sites and periods spanning from the Mesolithic to the Pictish era. Along with the cathedral and castles, the museum offers a distinct way to explore the region’s history.

Discover more destinations: Dandalieth, Rafford, Aberlour, Elgin, Fochabers, Lossiemouth, Drumin, Glenlivet, Dufftown, Ballindalloch, Portknockie, Knock, Buckie, Keith, Hopeman, Findochty, Findhorn, Portgordon, Alves, Burghead.

For the broader travel overview: Scotland.