Walking

Speyside Way

Walking is a hugely popular pastime for today’s more health conscious generation. With its northern end about 10 mins from the hotel, Speyway is one of Scotland ’s premier walks stretching over 60 miles from Spey Bay in Moray to Kingussie in the Highlands with magnificent countryside all along the River Spey. It attracts large numbers to Scotland every year particularly from UK and northern Europe .

Moray Firth Coastal Trail

An established waymarked trail stretching 50 miles taking the walker from the attractive town of Forres to the tidal reaches, sands and saltmarsh of the Findhorn Local Nature Reserve, internationally important for waders and wildfowl. East around Burghead Bay lies five miles of superb dune, heath and pinewood, the largest dune system in Britain. From Burghead to Hopeman stretches a varied habitat of gorse and heathland, dune and rock, great for Birdwatching. The rugged stretch to Lossiemouth includes spectacular sandstone cliffs. Then to the huge shingle banks at the mouth of the River Spey where ospreys fish in summer, a perfect spot for dolphin spotting. On to Portgordon and the rich maritime history of the fishing town of Buckie, then east over towering cliffs and off-shore Skerries to the seaside town of Cullen. The Moray Firth Coastal Trail forms the final part of the longer Moray Firth Trail which stretches 470 miles from John o’Groats and is now incorporated into the North Sea Trail, an exciting partnership between six European countries that share a North Sea heritage.

Forest Walks

The hotel is set in an region of extensive forests and woodlands and those maintained by Forestry Commission Scotland can be explored by all. For further details please visit www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland .

Fochabers Winding Walks

Located minutes from the hotel in Whiteash Wood, the Winding Walks has 4 walks of 1½ to 3 miles taking 1 to 2 hours. A popular heritage forest extending from the small town of Focabers to the hotel, the gentle woodland trails brings the world of nature to our doorstep and include an adventurous mountain bike ride.

Huntly Peregrine Watch

Less than half an hour from the hotel, the forest at Huntly provides close-up views of one of Scotland’s most exciting birds of prey at their nesting sites and natural habitat.

Quarrelwood

With 2 walks of around 3 miles taking 1½, Quarrelwood commands a hilltop position overlooking Elgin and the Moray countryside and is about a dozen miles from the hotel.

Torrieston

About 20 mins away between Elgin and Forres, Torrieston has 4 walks of 1 to 2 miles taking 40 mins to 1½ hours. A variety of trails including wheelchair access.

Culbin & Roseisle

About half an hour west of the hotel, these two forests have various walks of 1 to 2 miles taking ½ to 2½ hours and offer easy access to glorious sandy beaches and great seascapes. Rare plant and animal species are safeguarded for the future at Culbin, an internationally recognised conservation site.

Lochs

There are a variety of lochs in the vicinity such as Sanquhar Loch at Forres about half an hour from the hotel. This wonderfully wooded loch is suitable for wheelchairs.