The Moray coastline has a string of superb sandy beaches, and towns such as Buckie, Lossiemouth and Nairn (historically part of Morayshire) have long been popular for family holidays.

For the walker there are cliffs, arches and stacks as well as sand and dunes, whilst offshore it may be possible to glimpse the famous Moray Firth dolphins. Set back from the coast are fine stone-built towns such as Forres and the small Cathedral city of Elgin.

From here heading southwards the character of the countryside changes to one of wide, spacious glens and sweeping, purple heather moors and hills. This is Speyside – Malt whisky country par excellence.

The main centres here are Keith, Aberlour and attractive Dufftown, as the hills slowly merge into the Cairngorms National Park.

This latest pocket guide features 40 of the best walks in this popular area in an attractive and accessible format.

List of Walk Locations

In and around Nairn
Whiteness Head from Nairn - 16.5 km
Nairn to Cawdor by the river - 9 km (one way)
Culbin Sands and Kingsteps - 10 km
Culbin Forest and the Hill 99 Trail - 6 km
Darnaway Forest and the River Findhorn - 3.5 km

Forres and Findhorn
Randolph's Leap from Logie Steading - 4 km
Sanquhar Loch and the Nelson Tower - 6.5 km
Findhorn Explorer - 4.5 km
Roseisle Forest and the dunes - 3.5 km
Burghead Bay - 5.5 km
Hopeman to Lossiemouth - 9 km (one way)

Elgin, Lossiemouth and Buckie
Lossiemouth East Beach - 6.25 km
River Lossie and Quarrelwood - 9.5 km
Millbuies Country Park - 2.7 km
The Winding Walks and Peep's View - 3 km
Spey Bay circuit - 6.5 km
Buckie and Portgorden - 8.25 km
Strathlene Sands to PortKnockie - 5.5 km
The Bin of Cullen - 5.5 km
Cullen Bay and Portknockie - 7.5 km
Findlater Castle from Sandend - 5 km

Dufftown and Keith
The Dounie from Rothes - 5 km
Ben Aigan - 8 km
Linn of Ruthrie from Aberlour - 3 km
Aberlour by the Speyside Way - 12 km (one way)
The Giant's Chair, Dufftown - 4.5 km
Auchindoun Castle - 2 km
Ben Rinnes - 7.5 km
Drummuir Estate - 7.5 km
Tarnash Falls and Dunnyduff Wood - 5.5 km

North Aberdeenshire
Portsoy and Sandend circuit - 9 km
Banff and Whitehills circular - 8 km
Banff Heritage Trail - 3 km
Duff House and Bridge of Alvah - 8.5 km
Gardenstown and Crovie - 4.5 km
Troup Head from Crovie - 9 km
Pennan to Aberdour Bay - 7 km
Fraserburgh and Waters of Philorth - 7.5 km
Cairnbulg Point and Whitelinks Bay - 6 km
St Combs and Strathbeg Nature reserve - 6.75 km