The Mack Walks: Short Walks in Under 10 km

Findhorn Ramble ()

Route Summary There are no significant ups and downs on this gentle hike, taking in Findhorn Bay and some of the wide sweep of Bay, where there is a special dunes eco-system. Later, part of the route is in pine woods, passing through the world-renown Findhorn Foundation community.

Duration: 2.5 hours

Route Overview Duration: 2.5 hours. Transport/Parking: Sometimes hourly Stagecoach #31 from . Check their timetable. Extensive parking areas near the Burghead Bay ("back-shore") beach. Length: 7.890 km / 4.93 mi Height Gain: 53 meter Height Loss: 53 meter Max Height: 14 meter Min Height: 0 meter Surface: Moderate. Mostly sandy paths with some walking on tarred surfaces. Child Friendly: Yes, but only if children are used to walks of this distance. Difficulty: Moderate. Dog Friendly: Yes, keep dogs under close control. Pick up, bag and remove any mess! Refreshments: Kimberley, and Crown & Anchor pubs, with food. Bakehouse, Seafood and Captain's Table cafes.

Description Situated in beautiful Findhorn Bay, Findhorn has golden sand beaches, a charming harbour, and a small heritage centre. All around Findhorn Bay, Burghead Bay, and the nearby Culbin Forest, there are great places for wildlife, walking and water-sports. This very scenic circular walk heads out from the old piers to a wonderful viewpoint in all directions at the mouth of the Bay, the “Ee”. It then proceeds along part of the long and sweeping shoreline of Burghead Bay to a fascinating 2 km stretch of sand dunes and vegetation untouched by human intervention. The walk then heads inland through the dunes to reach pine woods. This area is occupied by the mostly wooden eco-buildings of the Findhorn Foundation community. The Foundation describes itself as a dynamic experiment where everyday life is guided by the inner voice of spirit with “…inspired action towards our vision of a better world”. There are now 90 ecological buildings, three wind generators, and a biological sewage treatment plant on the site. The existing settlement of Findhorn is the second village to bear this name, the original having been eventually inundated by the sea by the early 18th Century. In its day, Findhorn was the principal seaport of Moray and a busy fishing port. As vessels became larger, trade and fishing declined and then ceased. The shore-based salmon fisheries lasted until the 1980s but they too are no more. Today, Findhorn is a well-kept and prosperous commuter, holiday and second home village situated in glorious natural surroundings.

1 Waypoints (1) Start walk between the piers (57.65962; -3.61317) https://w3w.co/pirates.dislikes.divisible Start the walk between the piers on Findhorn Bay, at the centre of the village of Findhorn. There is an information here to check out here before you set out. When ready, looking at the Bay, turn right and follow the path along the shore, at first passing under the Findhorn Yacht Club. Continue following the pathway past the Captain's Table cafe to the entrance to the boatyard.

(2) Check out info board - then along the beach (57.66267; -3.62077) https://w3w.co/rather.acre.quicksand In about 575 m, after the bay-side entrance to the boatyard, continue along the beach around to the point (the "Ee"). But, first, check out the information board about seals close-by, slightly ahead and to your right. (576 m)

(3) Around the point then along the Backshore Beach (57.66275; -3.62455) https://w3w.co/generated.running.variety In approximately 425 m, after you have walked around the point (the "Ee") and taken in the close-up views of the Culbin Forest across the channel, and the distant views of the Black isle and Souters of Cromarty across the , proceed along the "back-shore" beach in an easterly direction. You may walk on the sand, the shingle or at the edge of the dunes - it's up to you! Look out for beach huts coming up on your right, above the beach. (1.0 km)

(4) Pass the beach huts (57.66401; -3.61863) https://w3w.co/trout.daydream.transit In another 400 m, or so, you will start to pass beach huts, in muted colours, above the beach. We suggest that you ascend to the path above the beach after these huts and continue walking along the coastline of Burghead Bay. (1.4 km)

2 (5) Viewpoint (57.66310; -3.60780) https://w3w.co/wing.transmit.strumming In another 700 m you will notice a low sandstone tower to your right, about 35 m inland. Deviate away from the coastline to take a sandy path up to the entrance of the viewpoint. This viewpoint has an excellent viewfinder dial, looking both north across the Firth and south, inland. Once you are ready, return to the path at the top of the beach and continue walking eastwards. (2.1 km)

(6) Dunes Information Board (57.66278; -3.60339) https://w3w.co/exclusive.chill.arrives In another 300 m, or so, deviate a little inland again to an information board, with accompanying signposts for the Moray Coastal Path, on a bend on Dunes Road. The information board describes the wild dunes area you are about to enter, unaltered by human intervention since the end of the last Ice Age. When you are ready, follow the coastal path again, heading eastward along the sea-side of the dunes. The next section is almost 2 km in length. There is no set path through this unique area. You may stick to the coastline, walk through the middle of the dunes, or weave in and out of the dunes as you wish. Eventually, you will see the security fencing for the military base appearing ahead of you. (2.4 km) (7) Right along fence at military base (57.66121; -3.57356) https://w3w.co/templates.stiff.starred In 1.9 km, when you reach the security fence, leave the coastline, turning right to follow the fencing inland for a short distance before following the path as it bends right, facing back in the Findhorn direction. (4.3 km)

(8) Veer slightly left at x-roads to follow road towards wind turbines (57.66042; -3.57660) https://w3w.co/undertone.wagers.noises In about 300 m from the top of the beach at the security fence, veer slightly left at an angled x-roads to follow the rough road towards the wind turbines. Soon, this road will meet another road. Veer right there to continue walk back in the direction of Findhorn. (4.6 km)

3 (9) Take left fork here (57.65870; -3.58182) https://w3w.co/spires.avid.workbench In about 400 m from Waypoint 8, upon reaching a fork in the road, take the left fork. (5.0 km)

(10) Past barrier and veer right (57.65754; -3.58719) https://w3w.co/pigtails.roost.firmly In another 400 m, the rough road having bent leftwards to a wooden barrier, go past the barrier and then immediately veer right. (5.4 km)

(11) Veer left to take path into trees (57.65687; -3.58850) https://w3w.co/dark.smirks.hacksaw In about 100 m, veer left off the rough road to follow a path into the trees. (5.5 km)

(12) Right along woodland road (57.65598; -3.58827) https://w3w.co/scars.terribly.storming In another 100 m, or so, reaching a t-junction in the trees, go right along the woodland road, back in the Findhorn direction, with Findhorn Foundation houses and gardens now on your left side. (5.6 km)

4 (13) Left towards houses (57.65490; -3.59144) https://w3w.co/teach.guests.sour In 200 m, leave the woodland road to go left towards some houses, then veer slightly left past a house on you left to a road. (5.8 km)

(14) Right down tarred road (57.65458; -3.59122) https://w3w.co/piglet.voter.sped In about 50 m you will have emerged from the trees at a bend on a tarred road between Findhorn Foundation houses. Go right to follow the tarred road between houses. (5.85 km)

(15) Right again into the centre of the Findhorn Foundation community (57.65385; -3.59070) https://w3w.co/steadily.clef.juicy In another 50 m, or so, upon reaching a x-roads, go right along the wider tarred road. Soon, you will arrive at an open area with signposts. Of course, you are free to explore the Findhorn Foundation community from here if you wish. Otherwise, turn right towards the Phoenix Cafe/Universal Hall. (5.9 km)

(16) Universal Hall and Phoenix Cafe (57.65324; -3.59294) https://w3w.co/rested.frown.page In about 200 m from Waypoint 15 you will have arrived at the Phoenix Cafe and Universal Hall buildings. After taking a refreshment at the cafe, as appropriate, take a path through the trees past the cafe, with the cafe and hall to your left. This will take you to a tarred road. (6.1 km)

5 (17) Down road towards Cullerne Gardens (57.65383; -3.59329) https://w3w.co/cones.nails.rules In less than 100 m from taking the path through the trees past the Phoenix Cafe, turn left to follow the road back in the direction of Findhorn. there are houses with wooden frontages and balconies on your right. After the road ends, keep going to follow a path that reaches the boundary of Cullerne Gardens. Carry on following the path around the outside of the gardens, and then trees on you left. Don't leave this path until the next waypoint. (6.2 km)

(18) Left towards main road (57.65575; -3.60093) https://w3w.co/circles.duet.nests After 600 m, your path will have emerged at Dunes Road. Go left here towards the main Findhorn road. (6.8 km)

(19) Right along the main road into Findhorn (57.65398; -3.60234) https://w3w.co/bulbs.mentions.carrots In another 200 m, where Dunes Road meets the main road into Findhorn, turn right and follow the pavement into the village. Later, you may wish to cross the road to take the bay-side path back along the bay towards your start-point at the piers. (7.0 km)

(20) Finish walk back at piers (57.65956; -3.61307) https://w3w.co/pirates.dislikes.divisible In 900 m, you will have arrived back at your start-point between the piers. (7.9 km)

6 Route Map

Links: Photos from walk Download Route Guide (PDF with illustrated Waypoints) Download GPX file (GPS Exchange Format) Access Walk on Viewranger Access Walk on OutdoorActive Access Walk on OSMaps Access Walk on Wikiloc

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