Findhorn between beach, coastal trail and history

Findhorn combines a long sandy beach with a village that’s easy to explore on foot. Findhorn Beach is a long, uninterrupted stretch of fine white sand close to the village; it’s easy to access and has plenty of parking.

Beach and the Moray Coast Trail

The Moray Coast Trail is a signposted coastal path of approximately 50 miles (80 km), running from Findhorn to Cullen. At Findhorn Beach, the trail follows the coast around the bay to Burghead, passing Roseisle Country Park and wooded areas. The approximate total length and endpoints describe the route on a larger scale; the stretch along Findhorn Beach to Burghead indicates the local coastal section. This lets you consider the long coastal route and the specific path around the bay as different points of reference for your planning.

Findhorn Bay and nature

Findhorn Bay is designated as a local nature reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Ramsar wetland of international importance. It is also part of the Moray and Nairn Coast SPA. The assessment, last reviewed on 2 June 2011, highlights the bay’s national and international importance for wintering waterfowl. These designations bring together several conservation statuses with a clearly identified seasonal focus on nature.

Local history and Heritage Centre

The Findhorn Heritage Centre & Icehouse tells the story of the village and the surrounding landscape. Exhibits include information about Findhorn’s earliest inhabitants and a Bronze Age clay burial urn. The centre also includes underground vaulted chambers around 150 years old. They were used to store ice, which kept salmon cool on their journey to London. The exhibits thus trace the area’s history from its earliest inhabitants and the Bronze Age to its maritime past.

The centre is open daily from 2:00 to 4:30 pm in June, July and August; in May and September, it is open on Saturdays and Sundays. Seasonal opening hours may change, so check them before your visit. The historic village of Findhorn dates back to the late 17th century and was once Moray’s main seaport. Findhorn Church was built in 1843 as a Free Church, to a design by John Urquhart. Findhorn Harbour Piers is a Category B listed structure.

Art and activities

Moray Art Centre presents local and international exhibitions and events each year, as well as an extensive programme of courses and weekend workshops for all levels. The programme may change; check current dates if a particular offering is important to your trip. Findhorn Watersports is an independent sailing school on the grounds of the Royal Findhorn Yacht Club.

The Findhorn Watersports Taxi runs from Findhorn’s north pontoon to Culbin Forest and back. As schedules may change, check the service before making plans. Visitors to Findhorn are also invited to join the Friends of Park Garden.

Discover more destinations: Buckie, Rafford, Knock, Portgordon, Dufftown, Alves, Portknockie, Fochabers.

Return to the main travel overview: Moray.