Drumin Castle Heritage Ranger Walk
Join us for a walk around Moray's earliest surviving tower house reputed to have been built for Scotland's vilest man- Alexander Stewart, the Wolf of Badenoch. Drumin Castle is an impressive medieval fortification standing on a commanding bluff overlooking the confluence of the River Livet and the River Avon. Once we get to the castle, you'll learn a bit about the architecture, history, and the notorious Wolf, whose evil deeds continue to cast a long shadow in Moray's history. "Cathedral and Toun Wyld wrath did engulf Lone Lochindorb Castle The lair of the Wolf" This castle has recently reopened after masonry repairs. Access to the first floor is once again possible via a narrow, stone staircase. `Sensible footwear is recommended. Please park at the The Drumin Castle car park. This short circular walk will start from the Drumin Castle sign in the car park. Access is by foot along a pedestrian trail and will return by a set of steps. Please dress appropriately for changeable weather. Toilets are not available on site. Children are very welcome to attend. Well behaved dogs are welcome. FREE TOUR
Speyside Whisky Festival
The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has established itself as a premier event for whisky enthusiasts around the world. With an extensive program, often made up of over 500 whisky-inspired events, it delivers remarkable experience for both beginners and seasoned connoisseurs alike. Since its launch in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has evolved into a significant gathering, attracting visitors from far and wide who share a passion for Scotland's national drink. Click here for a huge list of events across Speyside between 1st and 6th of May
Gordon Castle Highland Games 2024
Gordon Castle Gordon Castle Estate, Fochabers, Moray, Scotland, United KingdomIt’s time to don your tartan and grab your sporran and head to Fochabers for the Gordon Castle Highland Games! It's a day of fun for the whole family. There’s something for everyone including, the Gordon Castle Gin Bar, massed pipe bands, traditional Highland Games, trade stands, country sports, and lots of children's entertainment. Please note that photography will be taking place at this event for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs are likely to appear on our website, advertising campaigns and social media channels. If you would prefer not to be photographed, please let the photographer know on the day.
Forres Highland Games
Forres Highland Games take place every year in July in the magnificent setting of Grant Park, Forres. The Forres Highland Games day commences with a procession from the Forres & District Pipe Band up Forres High Street into our Grant Park arena where the Games’ Flag is raised. The day follows with a spectacular show of Scottish tradition, sport and culture with Highland Dancing, Track and Field, Heavy Events, Tug ‘o’ War, Solo Piping and many more disciplines on display. Unique to the Forres Games is the Message Bike Race, where spectators can turn participant and race the field on an old traditional message bike in hope of lifting a winners trophy. During the day you can enjoy an array of food outlets and shopping at local trade stands, face painting and fun on fairground attractions too. On Games Day you can park for FREE in Grant Park by entering via South Street.
Deep Time Walk – Roseisle Forrest
Join naturalist Dan Puplett on a journey through deep time. Explore the mind-blowing 4.6 billion year story of Planet Earth as we walk 4.6 kilometres at Roseisle. As we stride through the aeons, every millimetre will represent 1000 years in the astonishing saga or life on our home planet. Hear tales of the rise of life, mass extinctions, the evolution of countless organisms and where Homo sapiens fits into it all! We will also talk about the flora, fauna and… Join naturalist Dan Puplett on a journey through deep time. Explore the mind-blowing 4.6 billion year story of Planet Earth as we walk 4.6 kilometres at Roseisle. As we stride through the aeons, every millimetre will represent 1000 years in the astonishing saga or life on our home planet. Hear tales of the rise of life, mass extinctions, the evolution of countless organisms and where Homo sapiens fits into it all! We will also talk about the flora, fauna and fungi we see on the way, and their place in Earth’s story.
Hopeman Fossil Dunes and Trackways Tour
An opportunity to examine features of the late Permian Hopeman Sandstone Formation, including fossilised dunes and animal trackways, with local geologist Dave Longstaff. During this full-day event with Elgin Museum, you’ll examine the features of the late Permian Hopeman Sandstone Formation. Starting at the beach huts, we will see relicts of aeolian barchan and possible star dunes before examining a stretch of coastline that shows small faults, a range of soft sediment deformation features, fluvial and lacustrine sandstones, abandoned millstones and quarries, trace fossils and other sedimentary features. After lunch in Cove Bay (NJ 1594 7011) around low tide of 13:33, we will look at a well-studied fault zone and post-glacial caves. We will then go to Clashach Quarry to examine fossilised reptile footprints and glacial features before descending to the coast via a short path to visit an old sandstone quarry (1781), the old Clashach port, Jock Muldoon’s Cave and see some beautifully displayed sandstone cross-bedding and relicts of quarrying. When the excursion finishes, we will return to the beach huts via the coastal path; the expected time back at cars is 16:00-16:30.
Guided Forest-Bathing Walk
Relax and restore in beautiful woodland surroundings by learning to practise natural mindfulness. Woodland themed tea, and snacks, included. Rediscover the woods and yourself. No water involved! Forest Bathing (also known as Shinrin Yoku) is a refreshing, relaxing mindfulness practice that allows you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the woods. By following (optional) invitations to open our senses, the aim is to slow down, recharge, and connect to ourselves and the natural environment. Our session may include a guided meditation, some gentle sensory exercises, a restful mindful walk, perhaps a sit/lie down at some point, reflecting as a group, and then tea and snacks. The perfect antidote to a busy week! Led by trained Forest Bathing guide and local therapist Danielle Quist.
The Moray Way 100-mile Ultra Marathon
Beginning inland at the award winning Grant Park in Forres, you run along the High Street before turning and crossing the A96, towards the famous eco-village of Findhorn. Kinloss Barracks will be on your right (look out for planes!) and the local bay’s nature reserve will be on your left. From here the coastal trail properly begins and the views are incredible! From the trail at the top of the dunes, you enter Roseisle Forest all the way to Burghead, where a lovely new tarred path will greet you after Burghead Distillery to Hopeman. The section from Hopeman to Covesea has some superb clifftop trails with even more spectacular views. At Covesea, provided the tide is out, you run along the beach with the lighthouse on your right and you feel like you are on a tropical island all the way to Lossiemouth, which is aid station 1! You will go over the brand new Lossiemouth Bridge and tackle the “5km from hell” to Kingston, where you follow Garmouth & Kingston Golf Course, crossing the beautiful railway bridge before turning right, heading south towards Fochabers, which is aid station 2. Continuing south, you pass Boat O’ Brig, and start to climb Ben Aigen and follow a lovely descent into Craigellachie. You are now in whisky country! Following the Speyside Way to Aberlour and towards Grantown-on-Spey, you pass several distilleries – soak in the sights and smells in this area! Aid station 3 is in the heart of it! At Grantown, which is aid station 4, you join the Dava Way and have “just” a marathon to go! It is downhill from here, taking in the beautiful Cairngorms around you and the Moray Firth views in front of you. On re-entering Forres, you will wind through more picturesque trails before finishing back at Grant Park. You have just completed the world’s most beautiful 100 milers… congratulations (not that we’re bias)!
Dufftown Highland Games
The Dufftown Highland Games have been held the last Saturday in July since 1892. Today they are a taste of something Scottish for everybody. A full programme of light and heavy events, massed pipe bands, highland dancing and hill races. Visitors can take part in the overseas race – an opportunity to participate in a northern highland games. Fun for the entire family and much more. Whether you are a competitor in one of our many events, live in the area and looking for the perfect day out for the family, or have come to Scotland from any part of the world for your vacation, the Dufftown highland games is the ideal outing for you and your family.
Speyside Way Ultras
The 1st Speyside Way race first took place on 3rd April 1994 (Easter Sunday as a matter of fact!) as a 50km as opposed to a 35miler (sorry on behalf of the race for adding that extra part for you!). Throughout its 22 year history, legends in not only distance running, but running as a whole, have competed in this event. This event is stacked in history – from the late Don Ritchie himself (former 100km world record holder, who later took on the job as race director) and world 100km champion Simon Pride, to Commonwealth Games runner Fraser Clyne and even 1500m specialist Brian Scally. The 50km route is a great transition from road running to trail running, and great for a fast time. It is runnable, net downhill (let’s not mention the climb at Ben Aigen to keep you honest!) and has a beautiful finish on a coastal path and a wee sting in the tail before the finish line. In 2021, we added a 100km option, where runners do an extra epic mountainous section (again, you are going downhill) from Aviemore to Tamdhu Distillery, where they join the 50km route all the way through whisky country to finish at the coast in Buckie.