Local Information

TAXI SERVICE: DB Taxis T: 0044 (0)7704 737508 C&R Taxis T: 0044 (0)1343 545456

BED AND BREAKFAST Ardgye House, By Elgin T: 01343 850618 W: ardgyehouse.co.uk The Lodge Guest House, Elgin T: 01343 549981 W: thelodge-elgin.com Links Lodge, Lossiemouth T: 01343 813815 W: linkslodge.co.uk Westfield House, Nr Elgin T: 01343 547308 W: westfieldhouseelgin.co.uk

SMALL HOTELS/GUEST HOUSES Blervie House, Nr Forres, T: 01309 674629 W: blervie.com The Pines Guest House, Elgin T: 01343 552495 W: thepinesguesthouse.com Station Hotel, Hopeman T: 01343 830258

HOTELS Rural Boath House, Auldearn, Nairn T: 01667 454896 W: boath-house.com Craigellachie Hotel, Craigellachie (discount) T: 01340 881204 W: craigellachiehotel.co.uk The Station Hotel, Rothes T: 01340 832200 W: stationhotelspeyside.com

Local Eight Acres Hotel, Elgin T: 01343 543077 W: crerarhotels.com Laichmoray Hotel, Elgin T: 01343 540045 W: laichmorayhotel.co.uk Linkwood Lodge Premier Inn, Elgin T: 01343 550747 W: premierinn.com Mansefield House Hotel, Elgin T: 01343 540883 W: the mansefield.com Royal Hotel, Elgin T: 01343 542320 W: theroyalhotelelgin.co.uk Sunninghill Hotel, Elgin T: 01343 547799 W: sunninghillhotel.com Mansion House Hotel T: 01343 548811 W: mansionhousehotel.co.uk

COTTAGE/HOUSE TO LET Mr G Broad, Mossyards Holiday Cottages, Roseisle T: 01343 830250 W: mossyards.co.uk Mr & Mrs M Giles, Tullochwood Lodges, Rafford, Forres T: 01309 673311 W: tullochwoodlodges.com

Places of Local Interest

TOWNS AND VILLAGES Duffus Post Office, Shop and Village Hall Hopeman (3 miles): Harbour, beaches and lovely coastal walk (great for bird watching) Lossiemouth (5 miles): Harbour, beautiful East and West coast beaches Covesea (1.5 miles): Lighthouse, Beach, Café Elgin (6 miles): Elgin Cathedral, Johnstons of Elgin, small Shopping Centre Findhorn (12 miles): A picturesque seaside village, great beach and natural harbour Cawdor (29 miles): Cawdor Castle, said to be the most romantic castle of the Highlands Aviemore (56 miles): An excellent base for exploring the beautiful Cairngorms National Park, great for walking, winter and summer climbing, skiing, mountain biking and shopping for the great outdoors

VISITOR ATTRACTIONS AND PLACES OF HISTORIC INTEREST Duffus Castle A typical Norman Castle (ruins) Spynie Palace (Near Elgin): Dating back to the 12th Century and at one time residence of the Bishops of Moray. Beautiful surroundings and substantial wildlife and birdsong Pluscarden Abbey (Near Elgin): The only medieval monastery in Britain still inhabited by monks and being used for its original purpose Gordon Castle Walled Garden (Fochabers): Walled garden with organic cafe, gift shop, children's play Logie Steading (a few miles south of Forres): A Visitor Centre with arts and crafts, shopping, walled gardens, lovely river walks, an adventure playground and café Brodie Castle (4.5 miles west of Forres): French furniture, paintings, European and Chinese porcelain, Japanese artefacts, picnic area, tea room and gift shop. Adventure playground with timber fort for children, woodland walks, gardens and a lake Brodie Countryfare (on the A96 towards Nairn): Shopping for gifts and clothing Ballindalloch Castle (nr Aberlour):A family home in beautiful grounds - open to the public for viewing Fort George (six miles west of Nairn): An outstanding artillery fortification Culloden Visitor Attraction and site of the last hand-to-hand battle fought on British soil Malt Whisky Trail The world famous Malt Whisky Trail with 7 distilleries in Moray and the Speyside Cooperage

WALKING AND OUTDOOR PURSUITS Roseisle Long stretches of beach and long forest walks Culbin Forest (along the A96 west from Forres): Lovely walks, mountain biking and watch tower Spey Bay A rugged river mouth. Dolphin watching and Wildlife centre River Spey A Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation Winding Walks (near Fochabers): This circular walk heads up the side of the Small Burn with the option of taking one of the winding paths through the trees Ben Rinnes (near Aberlour): At 840m, 2775ft, it’s a handy mountain to pop up! Glenmore Estate A beautiful forest for walking and mountain biking Rothiemurchus (Estate approximately 1.5 miles south east of Aviemore): Loch an Eilein (loch of the island) with its 13th century island castle; magnificent ancient pines; great mountain bike and walking trails Loch Morlich (at the foot of the Cairngorms): Great for water sports