Moray Speyside is a region with a rich maritime heritage and strong links to the fishing industry.
To this day, many locals are still employed in the sector, and you’ll come across numerous restaurants or cafes specialising in seafood throughout the coastal areas and beyond in Moray Speyside.
No area in the region has a stronger link to the sea than its northeast corner, encompassing the fishing towns and villages of Buckie, Findochty, Portgordon and Portknockie. This small area makes for a great getaway with plenty to do, from walking to enjoying lovely coastal landscapes, and, of course, exploring its maritime heritage.
To make the most of your time here, check out all the things you can do in Buckie, Findochty, Portgordon, and Portknockie below!
Buckie
Explore Buckie’s past and present
Buckie is the third largest town in Moray Speyside and its largest fishing port. Home to Cluny Harbour, the town still churns out large amounts of seafood each year, making it one of Scotland’s busiest fishing ports.
To learn more about Buckie’s fishing heritage visit the Buckie and District Fishing Heritage Centre. Here you’ll be able to discover the unique fishing history of Buckie and the Moray Coast. There’s a lot to unpack, from learning about the herring girls in 19th century, to gazing upon the many model boats on display, and hearing about the brave men and women who made their livelihoods from the sea. With free admission, it’s well worth a visit.
Afterwards take a stroll down Buckie’s thriving High Street. Home to many independent shops and cafés, it makes for a delightful browsing experience. If you’re looking for something to eat, the fantastic Pozzi Buckie does great lunches and home bakes.
It’s also worth having a stroll down to the seafront through the pleasant Buckpool Harbour Park. Located alongside the old harbour walls, you’ll be able to get great views across the Moray Firth towards the hill of Caithness beyond.
Exploring the outdoors in Buckie:
Walking is a popular pastime in Moray Speyside for both locals and visitors alike, and it may surprise some of you that Buckie can actually be considered one of the epicentres for walking in the region. The town serves as the endpoint for the famous Speyside Way, the starting point for the historic Fishwives Walk, and the beautiful Moray Coastal Trail passes directly through the town. It’s possible to choose any of these walks and break them into manageable day hikes, which you could easily do on your first day here.
Suggestions for great day hikes include following the Moray Coastal Trail to Portknockie and returning via bus or following the Speyside Way from Buckie to the lovely village of Fochabers, and again returning via bus. The Fishwives Walk extends to Keith and is also lovely and can be completed in a day; however, there are no regular bus services between Buckie and Keith, making it slightly more challenging to organise. Please see the links at the bottom of this page for more information on these walks.
If you’re into golf, then you’re also in luck, as there are two outstanding golf courses close to Buckie: Buckpool Golf Club and Strathlene Golf Club. Both of these courses offer fantastic play and worth a round in their own right. Buckpool Golf Club is built on sandy terrain, the course features rapid, undulating fairways bordered by tall gorse bushes. Strathlene Golf Club was established in 1877 and is one of Scotland’s oldest golf clubs. Perched atop cliffs, its links course seamlessly blends modern with historic charm.
Findochty
Pronounced ‘Fi – nech – ty’, this quaint little fishing village can sometimes be overlooked by visitors, but with its historical charm and stunning coastal views, it’s absolutely worth having a stop at.
Findochty is located just 3 miles east of Buckie and dates back as far as the 15th century. The village expanded into a bustling fishing port during the 18th and 19th centuries, which contributes to its lovely historical charm seen to this day. It’s worth having a wander round for yourself, exploring all it’s narrow and quirky streets. Make sure to visit Findochty’s beautiful and historic harbour, and gaze out into the lovely Moray Firth.
For the best views of the village walk up to Findochty Church, situated on the village’s highest point. From here you can see the entire village and get a real sense of it’s historic make up. Next walk down to pleasant Findochty beach and have a wander along the rocky headland. From here you can enjoy truly gorgeous views eastward towards Portknockie.
If you’re starting to feel hungry after your exploration and are after some great grub, head to the lovely Admirals pub. The Admirals is a cosy eatery located right down at the harbour front. Here you will find tasty and traditional food, all at a reasonable price.
Portgordon
Portgordon is a beautiful coastal village known for its stunning sunsets and occasional auroras. The village’s unique location and natural surroundings make it a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Portgordon has become a popular spot for seal watching, with many visitors flocking to the village to catch a glimpse of these fascinating creatures. There are several vantage points along the coastline where visitors can observe the seals, including the Harbour wall, the cliffs above the beach, and the old pier. The best time to see the seals is during the summer months, when they come to the coast to breed and raise their young.
If you have a car, there’s also some interesting sites to see near to Portgordon, including Lower Mill Of Tynet Farm and Craigmin Bridge. Lower Mill Of Tynet Farm is located just a 6-minute drive away to the south of the village. The farm is family run and is home to a delightful wee farm shop, selling all sorts of fresh produce from meat to award-winning eggs and milk.
Craigmin bridge is located a little further to the south and has become quite a recognisable landmark in Moray Speyside. The bridge dates from 1773 and was once part of the main carriage way to nearby Letterfourie House, a Georgian era mansion. The bridge has a striking multi-tiered design and is reached by following the Fairy Walk, a thoughtfully designed trail with miniature wooden houses and even a dragon to spot along the way.
Portknockie
Portknockie is the easternmost of these four historic fishing towns and villages. The village sits perched atop some impressive cliffs and is primarily known for being the home of Bow Fiddle Rock, Moray Speyside’s most iconic natural landmark.
Bow Fiddle Rock is an incredible rock formation located just off the coast of Portknockie and is so named due to its likeness to a fiddle bow. For the best view of the rock, park in the small parking area located at the very north of the village. From here, it’s a very short walk to the cliff’s edge for some truly incredible views. The photo opportunities here are truly endless. Additionally, there is a small stony beach opposite the rock, which offers a nice secluded spot to spend an hour or two.
The beautiful Moray Coastal Trail passes through Portknockie, so be sure to spend some time following it alongside the coast and gazing out into the lovely Moray Firth.
Useful Links
- The Moray Coastal Trail: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/moray/moray-coast-trail.shtml
- Speyside Way: https://www.speysideway.co.uk/
- The Fishwives Walk: https://www.morayways.org.uk/routes/the-fishwives-route/
- Buckpool Golf Club: https://buckpoolgolf.com/
- Strathlene Golf Club: https://www.strathlenegolfclub.co.uk/