Things To Do
Relaxing is the most exhausting activity
Morayshire has so much to offer for those who are in search for the best malt whisky, who enjoy fresh air activities, who are interested in the history of the region and who just want to have a nice cup of tea surrounded by beautiful scenery. To give you an idea, we grouped some of the activities by topic or area, with direct links for more information and an interactive map by topic. Enjoy!
Within Fochabers
Further afield
Fochabers is also an easy starting point for day trips to Elgin, where you can take a guided tour of Johnstons’ famous woollen cashmere mill, Lossiemouth, Aviemore, Aberlour, Grantown on Spey, Inverness, Aberdeen, Loch Ness and Isle of Skye.
More information about activities in the area can be found at VisitScotland and Moray Spey Side
Golfing
Moray has many great golfing facilities with easy access. Within less than 5 miles from Duke Cottage you will find Garmouth & Kingston Golf Club and Spey Bay Golf Club, situated at the mouth of the River Spey, surrounded by stunning coastline and countryside. Nearby Fochabers you can also enjoy Maverston Golf Course in a tranquil countryside setting or, within a very short drive, you can reach the famous links courses of Moray Golf Club. Within 20 miles radios from Duke Cottage you can find 14 golf clubs to explore. See in the interactive map for additional information.
Hiking
There is a range of hiking trails available in the area of Fochabers, including the famous Speyside Way (66 miles challenging route; see also here) and the Moray Way (circular 100 miles trail!) that goes through Fochabers.
But don’t worry, Fochabers provides also for less challenging walking or hiking trails, such as Behind the Green Door (0.75 miles), Fochabers Burn (1.5 miles), The Belt Path (2 miles) and the lovely Winding Walks (a circular 3.5 miles walk, map available here) that will take you through the pines (look for red squirrels) and to the Duchess of Richmond monument (1892) on Whiteash Hill. You can also go for a short stroll at the River Spey Path, walk from Fochabers to Craigellachie (12.5 miles) or enjoy the beautiful Moray Coast Trail (50 miles), that is nearby, with its breathtaking landscapes.
Cycling
Duke Cottage has a lockable shed where you can store your bicycles if needed, and just on the main square you can find a publicly available Bike Repair Station. Like with hiking trails, Fochabers is blessed with cycling paths for all levels and abilities. If you enjoy mountain biking you can start with moderate routes such as The Soup Dragon, The Haggis or Gordzilla, or more difficult ones as The Fochabers Ring (5 miles) and The Fochabers Freeride for advance riders (more information is available at Moray Monster Trails and in this PDF map).
If you are interested in longer rides, you can enjoy the Scenic Speyside (Route 5 in this PDF map) and of course you can also cycle some parts of the Speyside Way, including from Fochabers to Ballindalloch (for more information, see here).
You will find many more cycling routes in the area, such as Lossiemouth Loop (14 miles; see also in this PDF map for similar routes in the area), Moray Coastal Cycle Route (29 miles), the Glenlivet Estate Cycle Trails and, of course, the National Cycle Network provides for several routes in the region (see in Moray Ways, VisitScotland and in Sustrans for routes and maps)
The Whisky Trail
Because no good story starts with “So I had some water…”
With around fifty Malt Whisky distilleries, Morayshire is the Mecca for discovering and tasting a rich variety of Highland Whiskies. Nearby Fochabers you will find The Glen Moray Distillery, The Macallan Distillery, The GlenGrant Whisky Distillery, The Cardhu Distillery, The Aberlour Distillery, The Glenfiddich Distillery, The Strathisla Distillery, The Balvenie Distillery, just to name a few… In the interactive map you can find within 25 miles radius from Duke Cottage around 50 distilleries (most are open to the public).
Keep in mind that distillery tours are very popular (even in low season) and that booking in advance is highly recommended!
Fishing
As Fochabers is located on the east bank of River Spey, within a few walking minutes you can enjoy the tranquillity of fishing and catch the famous salmon & sea trout of River Spey. For more information about fishing in the River Spey visit Spey Fishery Board and Fochabers Angling Association.
West of Duke Cottage
Within a 15 minutes ride west on the A96 (by car or with the bus that stops on Fochabers’ main square), you can visit the magnificent medieval Elgin Cathedral (the ‘lantern of the North’) and just across the Biblical Garden. Continue driving 10 minutes north to visit the largest surviving medieval bishop’s house in Scotland, the Spynie Palace, and its David tower. Within another 10 minutes’ drive you will reach the impressive medieval stronghold of Duffus Castle.
Instead of going north from Elgin, you can continue driving southwest for 15 minutes and visit the beautiful and secluded Pluscarden Abbey, the only medieval monastery used for its original purpose in the UK (where Catholic Benedictine monks sing every day the mass).
If you choose to drive past Elgin on the A96 towards Inverness, you might want to visit Brodie Castle, surrounded by daffodils, and have a break in the nearby Brodie Countryfare, where you can shop and eat. On the way to Inverness there are many other historical sites to visit, such as the 14th century Cawdor Castle with its three gardens and the Culloden Battlefield (with a visitor centre), where the 1745 Jacobite Rising ended.
East of Duke Cottage
The Duff House (a Georgian mansion displaying collections from the National Galleries of Scotland) is located 40 minutes’ drive north-east via A98. If you choose to continue another 35 minutes east, you can watch the coastline of the North Sea from the viewpoint of Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse and visit its Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. On the way back from Duff House, if you add 10 minutes to your drive, you can visit the small medieval Deskford Church.
Southeast of Duke Cottage
Around 30 minutes’ drive south-east on the A96 is the beautiful ruins of Huntly Castle. If you continue another 25 minutes you can also see the Picardy Symbol Stone (around 600 AD), the 3m-tall Maiden Stone and the intriguing Loanhead Stone Circle. From Huntly Castle, you might want to drive instead 40 minutes to the picturesque Tolquhon Castle and, following another 20 minutes, to the 800 year old Scottish Baronial Fyvie Castle.
South of Duke Cottage
35 minutes’ drive south, via the 200 years old cast iron Craigellachie Bridge, you can visit the lonely stronghold that is now the ruin of Auchindoun Castle in an imposing location near Dufftown, as well as the courtyard Balvenie Castle with a curtain wall that used to host the earls of Buchan in the 13th century. From Craigellachie Bridge you may want to consider driving 15 minutes southwest and visit Ballindalloch Castle on the banks of River Avon and its gardens (nowadays the estate is also known for its distillery)
Historic Sites
Moray is blessed with many castles, cathedrals and other historic buildings and sights, easily accessed from Fochabers. Below are some ideas if you want to group several historic sites in one trip. The destinations can also be found in the interactive map (with some other local options).
Other attractions
Visit the Scottish Dolphin Centre (where you might see the amazing bottlenose dolphins), discover the Scottish marine wildlife on a traditional fishing trawler (with Scottish Marine Safari) or, if you don’t mind getting wet, go canoeing, kayaking, gorge walking and other activities with AquaPlay. If you would rather stay inland, you may want to experience the farm life at the Byres Farm (incl. activities for children) or ride horses at Cranloch Riding Centre or Garmouth Riding Centre.
Further south (around 1 hour drive) you could have a nice day trip to Landmark Forest Adventure Park with a range of fun outdoor activities or, a bit further, enjoy the Highland Wildlife Park with a wide and diverse range of animals. You can also come in contact and feed free-ranging reindeers at the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, a real treat during a snowy Christmas! In the same area you can submerge yourself with all the activities that are offered at that natural playground of Cairngorms National Park (with watersports, snowsports, walking and cycling routes).
Finally, to unwind you can relax and watch spectacular scenery passing while riding the Keith and Dufftown Railway that will take you through 11 miles of beautiful countryside with rolling hills, forests, the deep glens, Loch Park and maybe some unaware deer. Similarly, do not miss a ride on the Strathspey Steam Railway with unforgettable views of the Highlands (offers also the traditional Afternoon Tea). If you rather watch planes, plane spotting is available at RAF Lossiemouth.
The interactive map provides specific location to assist you.
West of Duke Cottage
Within a 15 minutes ride west on the A96 (by car or with the bus that stops on Fochabers’ main square), you can visit the magnificent medieval Elgin Cathedral (the ‘lantern of the North’) and just across the Biblical Garden. Continue driving 10 minutes north to visit the largest surviving medieval bishop’s house in Scotland, the Spynie Palace, and its David tower. Within another 10 minutes’ drive you will reach the impressive medieval stronghold of Duffus Castle.
Instead of going north from Elgin, you can continue driving southwest for 15 minutes and visit the beautiful and secluded Pluscarden Abbey, the only medieval monastery used for its original purpose in the UK (where Catholic Benedictine monks sing every day the mass).
If you choose to drive past Elgin on the A96 towards Inverness, you might want to visit Brodie Castle, surrounded by daffodils, and have a break in the nearby Brodie Countryfare, where you can shop and eat. On the way to Inverness there are many other historical sites to visit, such as the 14th century Cawdor Castle with its three gardens and the Culloden Battlefield (with a visitor centre), where the 1745 Jacobite Rising ended.
East of Duke Cottage
The Duff House (a Georgian mansion displaying collections from the National Galleries of Scotland) is located 40 minutes’ drive north-east via A98. If you choose to continue another 35 minutes east, you can watch the coastline of the North Sea from the viewpoint of Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse and visit its Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. On the way back from Duff House, if you add 10 minutes to your drive, you can visit the small medieval Deskford Church.
Southeast of Duke Cottage
Around 30 minutes’ drive south-east on the A96 is the beautiful ruins of Huntly Castle. If you continue another 25 minutes you can also see the Picardy Symbol Stone (around 600 AD), the 3m-tall Maiden Stone and the intriguing Loanhead Stone Circle. From Huntly Castle, you might want to drive instead 40 minutes to the picturesque Tolquhon Castle and, following another 20 minutes, to the 800 year old Scottish Baronial Fyvie Castle.
South of Duke Cottage
35 minutes’ drive south, via the 200 years old cast iron Craigellachie Bridge, you can visit the lonely stronghold that is now the ruin of Auchindoun Castle in an imposing location near Dufftown, as well as the courtyard Balvenie Castle with a curtain wall that used to host the earls of Buchan in the 13th century. From Craigellachie Bridge you may want to consider driving 15 minutes southwest and visit Ballindalloch Castle on the banks of River Avon and its gardens (nowadays the estate is also known for its distillery)
