Food
Days Out
Beach
Bike & Hike
Sports
Nature
Gardens
Activities
Historical
Eating & Drinking
No recommended Eating & Drinking found within 30 miles of this property.
Fun Days Out
A world renowned attraction home to the Old shop museum and speciality shops. There are also culinary demonstrations and tastings, a children's adventure playground and family terrace.
No visit to Speyside would be complete without a trip to the Speyside Cooperage, the only cooperage in Britain with a Visitor Centre. Here you can watch coopers make and repair the barrels for the whisky industry. There's also a gift shop and tearoom.
Hear about the history of Major James Grant, his impact on whisky and sample of some of the famous Glen Grant for yourself, before taking a a stroll through the beautiful grounds to see the plunging waterfall.
A wonderful aquarium on the stunning Aberdeenshire coast. Marvel at the Moray Firth marine life and get up close and personal with some of the hundreds of invertebrates and fish who live there. A great way to delve into their underwater world and learn about the rich local ecosystem without taking a chilly dip in the North Sea!
Forres Highland Games take place annually in Grant Park and usually take place around the first Saturday in July, regardless of the weather. They incorporate a range of traditional highland games together with many other attractions making for a great day out for all. Anyone can get involved in the fun and activities, just fill in an application form and you could be competing and being cheered on by the supportive and encouraging crowds who gather to watch. It is a popular event and draws large crowds who come to enjoy the colourful, energetic and cheerful occasion. In addition to cheering on at the games that include, Tug O' War, Heavy events, Athletics, Highland dancing, Grass Cycling and a road race, you can watch the bands perform, enjoy some delicious local food and treats and shop on the many craft and local stalls found here. Be prepared for for all weathers and you will have a fabulous day and see some fantastic athletes, maybe witness a new record being set, and see and hear amazing performers, highly recommended.
Situated in the heart of Speyside and the Malt Whisky Trail, the Spey Valley Smokehouse explores the fascinating history of Scottish Salmon, not only produces the finest smoked salmon but also offers visitors the opportunity to see the process in action.
Beach
No recommended Beach found within 30 miles of this property.
Biking & Hiking
Amateur and professional mountain bikers alike will love these cycle routes. There a 3 independent sites covering 18 miles (30 km), which can be coordinated in whichever way you desire. The most athletic will love all 3 sites from Fochabers to Craigellachie.
Golf & Sports
A beautiful course with some excellent facilities. From experienced golfers keen to work on their games, to novices looking for lessons; this golf centre caters for all. Set on the stunning Banffshire coastline, the area is a golfers haven and well worth a visit.
Kinloss Country Club is located in Forres, it is a friendly and welcoming club and extends a true Scottish reception to all players. It was originally a nine hole course but has been extended to eighteen holes and represents an American style of play, with varying courses on each side of the clubhouse. It has evolved into a fine course that offers a good standard of golf and the course caters to all level of golfer, with some difficult holes and steep climbs. This parkland course is situated amongst some lovely scenery and has great views across the Moray Firth. The course is well maintained, the greens are well kept and are true and fast. It is predominantly a pay and play facility but, it is best to book at weekends as it dos get busy. Other facilities here include driving practise bays, practise chipping area and putting green. The clubhouse is warm and welcoming and serves a lovely selection of dishes that are freshly prepared and excellent value for money too, staff are friendly and the customer service is very good. Kinloss Country Golf Club is a lovely welcoming club, with excellent facilities, offering a great game of golf on a nice course, green fees are excelent value, definitely worth a round if you are in the area.
Nature Reserves
Housing an exhibition about the Moray Firth, dolphins and local wildlife, this wildlife themed visitor centre's location on the edge of a nature reserve affords frequent sightings of dolphins, seals, otters, osprey and wildfowl. There is also a shop and cafe.
Gardens & Woodlands
No recommended Gardens & Woodlands found within 30 miles of this property.
Local Attractions
With its distinctive pagodas, cobbled courtyard and picturesque buildings, Strathisla Distillery is arguably the most beautiful distillery in Scotland. Founded in 1786, it is also the oldest operating distillery in the Scottish Highlands.
World famous working distillery still owned and managed by the Grant family. Glenfiddich is unique in the fact that it is the only Highland Single Malt that is distilled, matured and bottled at its own distillery.
Located on the Scottish borders is Johnstons of Elgin, they have had a presence here since 1797 and are craftsmen in the craft of cashmere and fine woollens. The tours are free and the guides are excellent, convivial and knowledgeable and make the tour interesting and informative, you get a detailed tour where you learn about the complete manufacturing process, from how yarn is produced to how fabric is woven, many of the processes still remain the same as when the mill originally opened. There is an Interpretive Centre that is well laid out and again has lots of information. Tours generally take place between 10am and 3pm and only during mill working hours, it is probably best to book in advance. The shop has a lovely selection of their goods, they may appear to be expensive but once you are aware of the quality and craftsmanship then you can justify them, other items are also for sale including homewares and furnishings. The restaurant is lovely and has a varied menu and a good selection of beverages and the prices are very reasonable, and the quality excellent. Johnstons of Elgin Mill Tour is a thoroughly enjoyable tour, you get so much from it and the guides are superb, don't miss if you have the opportunity to visit this lovely mill, highly recommended.
The Gordon & MacPhail family have occupied and traded on these premises on Elgin Street since 1895, and are somewhat of an institution here in Glasgow. Walking through the doors of this historic house, you are meet with the most delicious smell of home cooked local gammon, also stocked here is the biggest choice of the best cheeses in North East Scotland and the shop is packed with high quality groceries and artisan produce, a truly wonderful deli. The highlight of this delightful store is the Whisky Room, stocked here are more than 1,000 varying single malt whiskies, it is not surprising that it attracts clients from all over the world to see this spectacular selection of whiskies. It is a treasure throve of whiskies, some are extremely old and extraordinarily rare. It is the ultimate stop for a whisky connoisseur, samples are available from a wide selection of the whiskies. The staff are both friendly and helpful and will offer advice on choosing a whisky. Gordon & MacPhail is a wonderful deli and even if you aren't looking for whisky it is worth going to the store just to wander around, you will love all there is to see.
Glen Moray Distillery has been producing their fine single malt whiskies on the banks of the River Lossie since 1897, and to this day they continue to use the traditional ingredients and methods in producing their fine whiskies. A tour of this fine, small and casual distillery will give a real insight into this craft that has been handed down through generations, the knowledgeable tour guides are actually distillery craftsmen so know exactly what they are talking about, they are interesting and insightful, you will be told about the whole process. They will talk you through the process of how the local malted barley and pure river waters are converted into their highly acclaimed single malt whiskies. Their location also plays an important part in the process. Their whiskies are available to purchase and you can choose from a choice of ages and vintages there is something to appeal to all whisky drinkers, from novice to connoisseur. They are open for tours Monday to Friday throughout the year, and on Saturdays May to September, there are various tour times so do check the website to see what times are available. The cafe is lovely with a great selection of beverages and snacks to choose from, and is very reasonable. A visit to Glen Moray Distillery is interesting and informative and will appeal to all ages, admission is only £5 and this includes tasting and under 18's are free so it is very good value, a first class visitor attraction.
Take the tour and enjoy a dram at Glenfarclas, one of the few independent distilleries left in Scotland. It has been owned by the Grant family since 1865.
Revered by connoisseurs, The Glenlivet can only be made in one particular spot, in a single glen, in the heart of Scotland's malt whisky-making country. Delve into the intriguing mysteries of distilling — and of course, sample the golden magic that is The Glenlivet.
Babalu - 25 Miles (40 KM)
Babalu can be found on the High Street in Forres. It is an eclectic shop that stocks a delightful range of hand made goods from all over the world as well as locally. The goods on sale are made by artists or artisans and the shelves are full of interesting and unusual items. They stock jewellery, bags crystals, clothes, accessories, gifts, treats and much more. The shop is colourful and bustling with goods, it offers a casual and relaxed shopping experience. Many of the items are sale are made from recycled products the result are quirky and unique products. Babalu is a real treasure trove and definitely worth a visit, come to browse and you are sure to find something special, great for gift ideas.
The Findhorn Foundation is a unique international spiritual community and holistic education centre and the cornerstone of an exciting ecovillage.
Highland Beauty Clinic and Day Spa are located in Forres, on the High Street and are well established being a fixture here for many years. There is a welcoming reception area and the clinic has a tranquil and relaxed atmosphere. It is beautifully decorated and has a nice modern but cosy feel about it. They offer a large choice of treatments and are one of a few clinics in Scotland offering a new Elemis Biotec electric facial treatment. They use high quality products and all treatments are carried out by professional and highly trained therapists who will go through your requirements with you. The staff are great really friendly, capable and very accommodating, a real pleasure to deal with. They are open Tuesday through to Saturday and offer a choice of monthly promotions so worth checking these out, as they offer great value. Highland Beauty Clinic and Day Spa offers a calm oasis where you can escape the hustle and bustle for a few hours you will leave feeling refreshed and relaxed definitely worth a visit.
Benromach - 25.3 Miles (40.5 KM)
Benromach have being producing since 1898 a fine collection of single malt scotches using the traditional hand made method and the finest ingredients. This small distillery is located in Speyside, next to the coast and the team are dedicated to producing a high quality whisky. They use spring water from the nearby Romach Hills and this together with other locally sourced ingredients are put through the various stages producing a high quality product that has stood the test of time. During a guided tour you will see all the stages of production ending with a tasting session. There are a choice of tours that vary in duration and detail and range from an introductory tour through to a personal experience where you get to fill your own bottle from the special single cask. You will find the tour guides to be warm and friendly and very jovial with lots of anecdotes to share, tours are interesting and informative and pitched at just the right level to keep them entertaining. Tours operate throughout the year but advance booking is recommended particularly if you are a group. Benromach has a lovely welcoming atmosphere, with a nice visitor centre with lots of history on the distillery and a well stocked gift shop with whisky's and other related memorabilia for sale, all at really reasonable prices. Whether you are a whisky connoisseur or not you will enjoy a visit to this family run distillery, a must if you are in the area.
Logie Steading is located within the Logie Estate in the gorgeous Findhorn Valley, it is a unique shopping village with the purpose of promoting Scottish craftsmanship and produce. The setting is lovely, the sandstone buildings are gorgeous and are set around a courtyard, offering a really relaxed and casual shopping experience. You will find a great selection of shops as well as the lovely Olive Tree Cafe. Artisan makers, producers and retailers have established themselves here to sell a host of high quality products including, books, a farm shop, whisky shop and much more. The Olive Tree Cafe serves a lovely selection of quality beverages, snacks and light lunches in a pleasant and welcoming environment, prices are reasonable and the staff are lovely. Owing to its lovely rural setting it never gets too busy so you can stroll around at a leisurely pace and is idyllic on a sunny day. The grounds have lots to offer too once you have finished shopping with lovely walks and a playground for younger visitors, as well as a garden centre. Logie Steading might be a bit out of the way but it is certainly worth the trip the goods on offer are fantastic and the setting is beautiful a real treat and a real change from the typical high street experience.
Historical & Heritage Sites
Another of the castles visited by Mary Queen of Scots, Balvenie is a fine 13th century castle of enclosure with a curtain wall, first owned by the Comyns and added to in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Impressive remains of a majestic and beautiful 13th century cathedral, with magnificent views from the NW tower. Apart from the towers and the Chapter House, the Cathedral is accessible to visitors using wheelchairs or with limited mobility.
Elgin Cathedral is a stunning medieval building, although it is a ruin it still remains an impressive and important architectural legacy. Another name adopted by Elgin Cathedral is the "Latern of the North", it has a varied and interesting history and there has been a church on this site as far back as the early 13th century. Much of the cathedral still stands today including the amazing west front, edged by two tall towers, the personal entrance thought to date to 1270, the east end is mostly complete, and a highlight of the building are the choir and beautiful presbytery again dating to 1270. The exceptional stone vaulted octagonal chapter house, is perfectly maintained and allows you to fully appreciate the craftsmanship of this era. There are also stone statues of former bishops and knights, and the graveyard is worth a walk around, the gravestones are beautifully carved and the inscriptions are interesting. The views from the tower are amazing you get uninterrupted 360 degree views of the city, definitely worth the climb. There is a lovely atmosphere about the cathedral, and the grounds are kept immaculate. There is a shop that is very nice and the staff are great, friendly and helpful and ready to impart their knowledge about this lovely ruin, in addition there are plaques around the building explaining what the different ares would have been used for. Elgin Cathedral is highly recommended it is a stunning example of a bygone era, with lots of history and interest.
This award winning museum has something for everyone, including internationally important fossil reptiles. The impressive general collections include Pictish stones, archaeology, social history, natural history, art and science.
A must see for all motor enthusiasts — a superb collection of cars and motor bikes. Everything from Maseratis to Daimlers and Rolls Royces. Pay a visit to this impressive assortment of sports cars, housed in an old mill.
Residence of the bishops of Moray from the 14th century to 1686, it is dominated by its massive 15th century tower, with spectacular views over Spynie Loch. The beauty of the surroundings and abundant wildlife and birdsong make the Palace a wonderful place to visit.
This 16th century castle, family home of the McPherson-Grants, lairds of Ballindalloch since 1546, offers (self-guided) tours, an audio-visual presentation, tearoom, shop, gardens, river walks, electric trains, an observation beehive and famous Aberdeen-Angus cattle herd.
Pluscarden Abbey is the only medieval monastery in Britain still inhabited by Benedictine monks. It produces stained glass, apiary and other croft products and Gregorian chant is internationally known.
Located on the banks of the River Ythan, Fyvie Castle is a fascinating 13th century fort. The childhood home of Charles I, the site of one of the many battles of Robert the Bruce and a family home this impressive castle was originally built by William the Lion in 1211. See if you can spot any of the ghoulish wanderings of the resident ghost!
Burghead Visitor Centre is the round white building with a flagpole on Burghead Headland, which itself was the site of the largest Pictish fortification in Scotland. External interpretation panels give information on the fort, Burghead Well and St Aethans graveyard.
Explore the fascinating multiple underground arched chambers, built over 150 years ago to store ice for packing salmon on the way to London. The vast chambers are now used to display all aspects of the net salmon fishing industry in the Moray Firth.
