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Day Trip To The East

Route 1: Whisky Trail
Follow the Whisky Trail through Moray, and along the banks of the River Spey, and sample the finest whisky can produce – including world famous malts such as Glenfiddich and Glenfarclas.

Take the A96 to Forres, Elgin and Fochabers, turn on to A95 towards Craigellachie, Aberlour, Ballindalloch, Cromdale and Grantown-on-Spey, and return on A939 to Nairn.

Visit:
Forres has consistently won in Bloom competitions, thanks to its beautiful central park. The Falconer Museum has a large section on the history of the railways, social history and even of the folk group The Corries.

At Baxters of Speyside find out how a family soup became an international business. The factory and visitor centre is ideally located along the A96 trunk road just over half an hour’s drive from Nairn.

Elgin Cathedral is a magnificent ruin in the heart of the Moray county town. Much of the architecture is in late 13th century style, modified after the burning of the church by the infamous ‘Wolf of Badenoch’, Alexander Stewart, in 1390. The site is now in the care of Historic Scotland.

Johnston’s Woollen Mills and visitor centre offers the finest of Scottish knitwear.
 
Walkers of Aberlour - The sweet buttery smell of the best Scottish shortbread tempts you before you enter the factory premises.

Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens forms the centre of the Atholl Estates, described as one of ’s six finest historic homes. A pearl of the north, it is home to the oldest cattle herd in the world.

Route 2: Coastal Trail
Take the A96 to Auldearn, Brodie and Forres, B9011 to Culbin sands and Findhorn, drive round the coast to Burghead, take the B9012 to Hopeman then follow the B9040 to Lossiemouth and Spey Bay, the A942 to Portknockie, A98 to Cullen and Portsoy, B9022 to join the A95 via Keith, A96 to Elgin, B9010 to Forres and the A96 to Nairn.

Visit:
Auldearn - Scene of a famous battle when, in 1645, Montrose, Captain-General of the Royalist Army, defeated a covenanting force. More than 3,000 died in the battle and the site has way-marked trails and historical interpretation signage. It is also home to one of the Highlands ’ best loved antiques shops.

Brodie Castle - Home to the Brodies for over 700 years, the castle was handed over to the National Trust for by the present Brodie of Brodie. Representations of Jacobite skirmishes in the grounds, and musical evenings in the library, add to the charm and attraction of this well cared for national heritage.

Culbin Nature Reserve - The Culbin Forest and Culbin Sands Nature Reserve extend along the coast to Findhorn. It’s an area of outstanding beauty for walkers and nature lovers with way-marked trails through the forests. There are many species of indigenous flora and fauna, including large numbers of visiting birds and migratory flocks.

Findhorn Foundation - Originally perceived as a ‘hippy colony’, this settlement of people seeking the simple or alternative way of life and technologies has a well-stocked book shop and runs courses in new age psychology.

Burghead – Now a peaceful coastal village, Burghead was once the power base of the kingdom of the northern Picts and contains the remains of the largest Pictish fort in . The Burghead Headland Trust (BHT) has now acquired the former coastguard lookout to develop a small interpretation centre and viewpoint, offering a superb vantage point from which to see the Moray Firth dolphins.

Cullen - Another peaceful coastal village, it gave its name to a delicious soup made from smoked haddock.

Portsoy - Larger than Cullen and still an important fishing port.

Pluscarden Abbey - Lying six miles south of Elgin , this is the only medieval monastery in still occupied by monks. Restoration work continues and visitors are welcome. Hostel accommodation and retreats are sometimes available.

Dallas Dhu Distillery - A time capsule of the distiller’s work.

Route 3: Destination Aberdeen

The oil capital of Europe – known as the Silver City for its fine granite buildings – is two hours drive from Nairn. Follow the scenic A96, passing though Forres and Elgin , and spend a day shopping in the bustling city centre.