Findhorn Moray Scotland.

Our current campsite makes up one end of the Findhorn Foundation which is an international spiritual community founded in 1962 when Eileen and Peter Caddy and Dorothy Maclean parked their caravan on a piece of land beside the already existing caravan park. There is now 400 people living in this eco friendly area. It also includes shops, restaurant, a take-away along side the Universal Hall Arts and Conference Centre. For more information see www.findhorn.org 

Findhorn is situated on the east side of Findhorn Bay. Apparently this is the third village of the same name. The original settlement to the west having been destroyed by the drifting of the Culbin Sands and its successor inundated by the sea in 1701. Once the principal port of Moray, its importance declined after the arrival of the railway in 1860. The village is now a holiday resort with marine leisure facilities. 

There is also a Motorhome stop over with water and waste disposal but no electric for £15 per night. Which is £5 more per night than our overnight stop at our own Kirkcudbright Swimming Pool - which does have electric. 

From just outside the Foundations entrance is a bus stop, where a number 31 will take you into the market town of Forres, where Tory MP and MSP Douglas Ross has his constituency office, but there are far more interesting things than that to see.

The Tolbooth, rebuilt by William Robertson in 1838.

Nelsons Tower, reached by an enjoyable walk through Grant Park and up through the surround woodland past the cemetery. The tower is 21 metres high and was built in 1806 in celebration Lord Nelsons and his various victories. On the side of the octagonal building are three plaques commemorating the Battle of the Nile 1798, Copenhagen 1801, and Trafalgar 1806 and a further plaque informing us that the Tower was built by public subscription and that the architect was Charles Stewart. You can get access up the tower but this was not available at the time we visited which was a shame because of the marvellous views from the top.

Although the view from the bottom of the tower across Findhorn Bay was enjoyed while eating our piece sitting in the autumn sunshine outside the tower.

Also certainly worth a visit is the well stocked Army Surplus Store run by Karen Eastham at 114 High Street which sells a lot of outdoor items at reasonable prices.

Rather a nice place to wait for your return bus, is beside the Mosset Burn Duck Pond just down from the town centre. 

 

Two buses are needed if like us you wish to visit Brodie Castle. firstly a number 31 into Forres and then pick up the number 10 from the High Street, ask the driver nicely and he will drop you off at the beginning of the footpath which takes you to the castle. Make your way to the Welcome Lodge and book your tour. Unlike most National Trust properties you can not wonder around the property at your leisure. But we learned a lot about the building and its history from the nice well versed  lady that acted as our Tour Guide.

Brodie Castle has been the ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years with Ninian Brodie of Brodie still living there until his death in 2003 after which the converted wing he lived in was used for holiday lets. In was in the Sixties, that with ever increasing cost of upkeep , the responsibility was  originally transferred to the National Trust.

The castle houses a magnificent collection of original furniture, ceramics and artwork, including works by 17th century Dutch Masters and 20th century Scottish Colourists. It also boasts an impressive library containing over 6000 volumes including a grand collection of gardening books. New on display is a letter from Robert the Bruce raising a problem about drainage! 

Lots of outside areas to walk around and a nice seating area by the restaurant for some refreshments. For lots more information about the castle look up nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodie-castle or better still visit next time your in the Moray area.

Following a day of heavy wind and rain which kept us in the motorhome our last full day at Findhorn was completely different with a fair amount of sunshine and no where near as cold as it had been. So we finally managed a walk along the 7 miles stretch of beach between Findhorn and Burhead.

We managed to get 5 miles along the beach joining it by going through the Foundation passed their wind turbines. Stoping at a strategically placed bench for our piece and enjoying the view before starting back. We had seen quite a few ‘serious’ walkers heading along the beach and on making some enquiries we found out the they were part of a long distance walking group completing a 50 mile walk in which could take best part of 24 hours! We declined their kind offer of membership!

Please don’t let the fact that Douglas Ross, Conservative MP and MSP is the Moray & Nairn and Banffshire stop you from visiting this beautiful area of Scotland.