Meandering through The Highlands of Scotland (East)

Acres of gentle Moray countryside surround the rose-coloured Brodie Castle, ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years, although their family seat has been here since the 12th century. Take a guided tour to see how changing times have altered the castle’s shape and purpose. The impenetrable 16th-century guard chamber is flanked on one side by a cosy 17th-century wing and on the other by a sprawling Victorian extension. The castle houses a magnificent collection of furniture, ceramics and artwork, including works by 17th-century Dutch masters. It also boasts an impressive library containing over 6,000 volumes. The Playful Garden at Brodie Castle is full of excitement for all the family. Located near to the castle, it explores the Brodie family history in a novel and fun-filled way.

Findhorn Foundation and Eco Village. A thriving spiritual ecovillage – The Park is a teaching resource for those seeking to build and live in community. It’s set in between the Findhorn Bay, woodlands, dunes and the North Sea. Take a wander through the village, peek into the Universal Hall and browse in the visitor centre and shop. There is a nice booklet available at the local community shop The Phoenix which contains some background information, history, a map and self-guided tour £5.

For today's traveller along the main road between Lossiemouth and Burghead, it is well worth making the turning into the centre of Hopeman. The main street, Harbour Street, slopes gently downhill and is home to a number of shops and a post office as well as the excellent Hopeman Village Tearoom & Takeaway. At the bottom of the hill is Hopeman Harbour. This was largely abandoned as a commercial fishing harbour following partial silting in the early 1980s: when Hopeman-owned boats moved along the coast to the harbour at Lossiemouth. The harbour remains popular with small leisure craft, and it is interesting watching them negotiate the unusually complex arrangement of piers and breakwaters that form the harbour mouth. Either side of the harbour are beaches called, for obvious reasons, the East Beach and the West Beach.

With two of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland, Lossiemouth truly is a hidden paradise. Visit West Beach when the tide is low and stroll along the flat sands towards the iconic Covesea Lighthouse. Admire the breath-taking view of East Beach from Prospect Terrace. Don’t worry, a new bridge will soon be opened, allowing pedestrian access to the white sands of Lossiemouth East Beach once again. So embrace the Lossie spirit. Lean into the wind and fill your lungs with the fresh coastal air.

Elgin Cathedral, known as the ‘Lantern of the North’, is one of Scotland’s most beautiful medieval cathedrals. The monumentally impressive building dominated the flat and fertile Laich of Moray from the time it was built. It continued to do so even after its demise at the Protestant Reformation of 1560. Work began on the cathedral in the first half of the 1200s, but it is the product of three main building phases. Even as a ruin, the cathedral still boasts plenty of detail that tells of its development and embellishment. The cathedral was once richly carved and adorned with stained glass and painted decoration. A fine collection of architectural fragments hints at the building’s lost beauty, while documentary evidence sheds light on religious life at Elgin.

Any serious cashmere enthusiast is aware of Scottish cashmere pioneers Johnstons of Elgin. With a rich history dating back all the way to 1797, it is no wonder that this luxurious brand has made its mark on the world. For over 200 years, Johnstons has dominated the wool industry. Times may have changed, but throughout the years, their craft has remained the same. It’s not a brand; it’s a legacy. What started off as a mill for tobacco and oatmeal has turned into one of the most renowned cashmere houses. Today, these fine cashmere connoisseurs have a weaving mill in Elgin and a knitting mill in Hawick. The Elgin mill is the last vertical woollen mill to exist in Scotland and has withstood the tests of time since 1797. Not only that, Johnstons is the only mill left out of the Scottish mills to take a raw fibre and carry it through its transformation into the final result. Browse, shop, take a tour, enjoy lunch or just a coffee... NB tours are chargeable and should be booked in advance.

A drive through Strathspey with a choice of distilleries. Take a tour of your chosen distillery (all tours are chargeable and must be booked in advance) or pop in for a tasting flight at one or more distilleries