Moray, Nairn and Speyside

The north east of Scotland includes the towns of Banff, MacDuff and Elgin. Burghead (near Lossiemouth) is popular with Hogmanay visitors as it re-enacts the ancient New Year ceremony of 'Burning the Clavie' - a lighted tar barrel is carried through the streets on the old New Year's Eve, 11th January. Findhorn Bay is a large expanse of tidal flats and has a busy caravan site. Forres is a very historic town - Macbeth met the three witches nearby, and Sueno's Stone is an outstanding example of a Pictish standing stone. If you are renting a holiday cottage in the Moray Firth area then you will find a wealth of historic sites to visit including Pluscarden Abbey and Brodie Castle (National Trust for Scotland), which is famous for its daffodils - do visit if you are in the Moray area for an Easter break.

The River Spey starts above Loch Laggan and finally enters the sea near Buckie - the Spey is famous for its astonishing natural beauty and great fishing. Speyside is an idyllic location for a self-catering holiday cottage where you have the freedom to explore the heather hills and snow-capped mountains. Grantown-on-Spey is a Georgian holiday town and a great base for exploring this part of Scotland or taking part in all the outdoor activities popular in the area - riding, walking, skiing, and climbing. Loch Garten is well known for its breeding ospreys - there is also a great wealth of other wildlife to see in Speyside, including red squirrels and deer.