Moray Coast Accommodation

Forres Moray Coast Findhorn Scottish Ecovillage

Forres is one of Scotland's oldest towns with a variety of attractions and makes a good base if you planning on exploring whisky country and the coast.

There are a variety of historic sights nearby and in the town itself and Findhorn Bay nearby has sandy beaches and wildlife sites for relaxing and watching the sun go down.

Featured Scotland Accommodation

Loch Lomond Lodge - Loch Lomond

A three bedroom self catering holiday lodge on a gated estate at Rowardennan, beneath the peak of Ben Lomond, on the shores of Loch Lomond

£400 to £800 Per week (seasonal)

Forres Tourist Information

Forres is a small historic town 27 miles east of Inverness. It was declared a Royal Burgh in 1140 and is one of Scotland's oldest towns. It is a strong contender in the Scotland in Bloom competition and takes great pride in its floral displays in the public parks and gardens throughout the town. There is a variety of towers, churches and monuments around the town. Check the Royal Burgh of Forres website for more details.

Forres holds its own Highland Games in July each year and has been doing so since 1928. Check their website for up-to-date information, weblink right.

There is a good range of cafes, pubs, hotels and take aways in Forres. There is also a good range of B&B and hotel accommodation. Caravan parks are located just outside Forres at Findhorn. There is no Tourist Information Office in the town itself, the nearest manned office being in Inverness or Elgin. A seasonal Tourist Information Office is at 116 High Street, Forres, Moray. Tel No. 01309 672938. Open 10am-1pm and 2pm-5pm.

Forres is at the start of the Moray Coast Trail and there are several other walks in and around Forres. Check the Moray Council's website and the Forres Footpaths Trust for more information on routes and the interesting things you can see on the way. The Forres Footpaths Trust produce downloadable Route Guides on their website.

Forres History - Pictish Historic Sites - Falconer Museum

The area around Forres has a good collection of Pictish sites. At the eastern end of the town is the Suenos Stone, a 9th century Pictish standing stone that stands at over 22 feet tall. It is engraved with an intricate array of figures depicting a battle. It is the largest known Pictish sculptured stone in Europe. At the bottom of Cluny Hill is The Witches Stone which is also thought to date from Pictish times which would have been an altar to the Sun God. It also marks the spot where one of three barrels which were rolled down the hill with witches in them came to rest.

The museum in Forres is the Falconer Museum named after former Forres resident Hugh Falconer, the 19th century scientist and discoverer. He spent much of his life studying the geology, plant and animal life of India, Assam and Burma. It is currently being redeveloped and will have different displays on daily life in the area, the Royal Burgh, industries of the area and Land and Environment. The Friends of the Falconer Museum are very much involved in this project as well as undertaking an oral history project recording memories from local people about different aspects of life in and around Forres. You can hear some of these recordings on their website, link right. The exterior of the Falconer Museum is also interesting with a series of carved heads of eminent scientists decorating the facade. The museum is on 22 Tolbooth Street, Forres, Moray IV36 1PH. Tel: 01309 673701. Email: museum@moray.gov.uk.

Brodie Castle is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is just four miles west of Forres. It is a 16th century tower house that was home to the Brodie family until the late 20th century. It is now packed with antiques, paintings and a library with 6,000 books open to the public from March to October. You can take a guided tour around the castle or wander at your leisure through the grounds that contain woodland walks and a pond with hides for watching the wildlife. Check their website for up-to-date opening times and entrance fees, link right.

Forres Whisky Distilleries

Forres is also home to two whisky distilleries and is a good stepping off point to start the Malt Whisky Trail through Speyside or create your own trail as there is an abundance of distilleries throughout the region.

Benromach Distillery and Dallas Dhu Distillery are both based in Forres. Benromach is the smallest working distillery in Speyside. You can take a tour around the distillery to find out how the single malt is made and a bit more about the history of the Benromach. Opening times: October to April Monday to Friday 10am-4pm (last tour 3.00pm). May to September Monday to Saturday 9.30am - 5pm (last tour 4.00pm). Sundays in June, July and August 12 noon - 4pm (last tour 3.00pm).

Dallas Dhu Distillery lies south of Forres and is now not a working distillery but more of a preserved distillery showing the traditional methods of whisky making. It is now owned by Historic Scotland and a self-guided tour takes you through the whole process from beginning to end, something many of the modern working distilleries can't do as the initial processes of are often carried out off site. Check their websites for more information, links right.

Findhorn near Forres

Four miles north of Forres is Findhorn Bay where the picturesque former fishing village of Findhorn makes a relaxing stop on your way to the white sandy beaches nearby. There are two pubs and a chip shop in the village for lunches and evening meals. The beaches at Findhorn Bay are lovely sandy beaches and excellent for watching the superb sunsets in summer or the ospreys that sometimes fish here at low tide.

Nearby is the Findhorn Heritage Centre and Icehouse that tells the story of the local area from the Bronze Age right through to more recent history. The Icehouse has recreated different elements of the salmon fishing industry as well as giving you the opportunity to explore the underground chambers where ice was stored to chill the salmon en route to London. Findhorn Bay is also popular for water sports, small boats, canoes and sailing craft.

Findhorn is also home to the Findhorn Foundation, an eco-village where the community have made buildings out of recycled whisky barrels with grass roofs, organic gardens and wind generators for electricity. Visitors are welcomed for brief visits or longer and you can take a guided tour around to find out about the various projects. Check their website for more information, weblink right.

Another recent eco-friendly installation is the Moray Art Centre adjacent to the Findhorn Foundation. It holds regular exhibitions in two galleries and also has a young person's studio, teaching studios and four artists studios and library.

Featured Scotland Accommodation

Loch Lomond Lodge - Loch Lomond

A three bedroom self catering holiday lodge on a gated estate at Rowardennan, beneath the peak of Ben Lomond, on the shores of Loch Lomond

£400 to £800 Per week (seasonal)

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