A Christmas walk
by scottishvisitor
At any time of year but especially during the Christmas period a walk on Lossiemouth Beach is a must do activity. The sea breezes and the long sandy walks on this magnificent stretch of coastline with views as far as Buckie are a joy to the senses. There are two beaches the West and East Beaches. You can have a quiet sheltered walk along the West Beach which passed the estuary of the River Lossie or take the more exhilarating walk along the East Beach which catches the breeze from the Moray Coast. To diminish the excitement of Christmas - we took Kyle and the dogs for a calm down session. Shell picking is a favourite pastime here and Kyle was fully employed in this activity. I did join him but found something more precious. Someone had dropped a £20.00 note on the sands, the beach was busy with locals and tourists and I didn't feel I could approach anyone and ask had they lost a note. I decided I would give the fallen money to charity after all it was part of the flotsam which comes in with the tide and should be given back.
Burghead
by iaint
Burghead is a fishing village on the Moray Firth coast, about 5-6 miles NW of Elgin.
It has 2 main attractions.
First, a 7 mile sandy beach backed by pine forests. You can walk all the way to Findhorn, the next settlement, past the RAF base at Kinloss. Never busy, alway peaceful and relaxing (unless a Nimrod flies over).
Next, its history. It is the oldest known settlement on the Firth, shown on Roman maps dated AD86 and believed to be the alata castra (winged camp) described by Ptolemy of Alexandria in AD160.
It also has the remains of the largest iron age fort in Great Britain.
A 3rd claim to fame (maybe more tenuous than the others) is that the north pier and granary were built by renowned engineer Thomas Telford - the pier between 1807 - 1812 and the granary in 1808. The granary walls are 4 feet thick. It was built to store grain in transit for the British Army fighting the Napoleonic War.
The village itself is not what you would call beautiful. It has character, if not beauty, and is dominated by a malting plant (malting grain for the local whisky trade).
Hopeman
by iaint
Hopeman is one of a number of seaside villages within a few miles of Elgin. It is 6 miles north. Cycling or running distance, if you're that way inclined.
You also have Spynie Palace and Duffus Castle nearby, so if you've had enough dry history, hit the beach and chill out.
My pictures were taken at dusk in early March, but I can assure you it is transformed by a bit of sunshine, blue sky and warmth.
Lossiemouth
by scottishvisitor
Lossiemouth as the name suggests is named after the river Lossie which runs into the Moray Firth near Elgin. The town is known affectionaly as just Lossie, saw its beginnings as a port to help the town of Elgin in its trading links via the sea. A long time has elapsed since Lossiemouth and Elgin had a railway link but there is still a connection with the old railway - the sleepers and old railway carriages have been used to provide wooden barriers to protect the dunes and indeed the town from the heavy winter seas which roll in from the Moray Firth.
TBC
Thomas Telford
by iaint
Several examples of the work of the well known engineer and architect Thomas Telford can be found near Elgin.
They include Craigellachie Bridge on Speyside (1814) - perhaps the best known - Cullen Harbour (1817-19), Tomintoul Church (1827) and Old Bridge of Avon.
Telford was born in the Scottish Borders, and much of his career's work is in England & Wales.
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Elgin Cathedral Ruins
Just as well it is bathtime
Diageo
Autumn Light
