Explore the charming villages of Fochabers, Garmouth, and Spey Bay on a captivating week-long adventure in Moray Speyside.
Nestled along the banks of the River Spey, these villages offer a perfect blend of rich cultural history, breathtaking natural beauty, and a variety of outdoor activities. From the quaint streets of Garmouth to the dolphin-filled waters of Spey Bay, and the charming, historic village of Fochabers, this region is full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Whether you’re seeking thrilling adventures, relaxing wellness experiences, or a deep dive into local heritage, our carefully curated four-day itinerary will guide you through the best that these enchanting villages have to offer.
(see bottom of itinerary for a list of accommodation and eating out options)
Day 1 – Welcome to Fochabers
Where better to start your trip by exploring the charming village of Fochabers. The town has so much to see and do and is ideal for a family looking for short travel time to lots of different activites.
Begin with a visit to the Winding Walks and find your way around the magical maze of trails perfect for a romantic walk of an adventurous cycle. There are lots of hidden secrets within this forrest that make the walk more than worthwhile. Keep your eyes peeled for Ranald’s Grave, the secret loch and then you won’t need to look too far to find the Cairn Monument (Pictured Below).
For lunch, head to Christies of Fochabers, where you can enjoy a delightful meal and explore the garden center’s selection of plants, gardening equipment, clothes and more. There is also a special treat in the garden centre for the kids and big kids at the aviary where there is a wide variety of birds to entertain during a shop.
Day 2 – Beauty and Wildlife in Spey Bay
Begin your second day with a visit to the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre in Spey Bay. Here, you can learn about the local marine life and try to spot the famous Moray Firth dolphins. The visitor centre is recently upgraded and perfect to keep the kids entertained. Entry to the Scottish Dolphin Centre is FREE and open to visitors Thursday to Monday, 10:30am to 4pm (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
If you are looking for a more active day there are two different options. Firstly, if you have your walking boots with you why not walk a section of The Speyside Way? The world-famous trail begins in Buckie and concludes in Newtonmore but you can walk the route either way. The Speyside Way follows the valley of the River Spey – the second-longest river in Scotland. From Spey Bay you are already halfway through a section but you can either walk towards Buckie or Fochabers and tell your friends that you walked part of the famous Spesyide Way.
If you brought your golf shoes instead of hiking boots, enjoy a round of golf at either the scenic Spey Bay Golf Club, which offers stunning views and a relaxing atmosphere all with a true Scottish Links experience or try out the unique Garmouth and Kingston Golf Club.
For a more relaxing experience take a relaxing stroll along the beach at Kingston or Spey Bay. There is truly nothing like a walk along our award-winning coastline and feeling the fresh air from the Moray Firth.
Day 3 – History and Culture in Fochabers and Garmouth
A trip to these beautiful villages would not be complete without a quick historical tour as despite the small size of the places they are filled with interesting history and heritage.
Take a trip to the Fochabers Folk Museum and Heritage Centre, where you can explore the local history and culture. Find out how the people of Fochabers used to live and immerse yourself in their way of life through things like the schoolroom exhibition. The centre is FREE to enter but please leave a donation to keep this wonderful centre open.
Gordon Castle is situated in Fochabers, and if you time it right, you might even catch their famous Highland Games. The castle can be used for private functions and events and is the perfect getaway for Salmon fishing. The Walled Garden at Gordon Castle can be accessed year round as well and we will explore that on our next day.
In the afternoon, visit the impressive Spey Viaduct (Pictured Above) and enjoy a walk across this historic structure. Then, learn about the rich shipbuilding history in Garmouth and Kingston, and the fascinating stories of the timmer floaters who rode logs down the River Spey.
Grab a coffee at Speyside Coffee Roasting Co whilst in Garmouth, the town is so unique and the streets are great to walk around, perfect for someone with an eye for photography. Although there’s nothing specific to visit for the shipbuilding history, you can still appreciate the historical significance of these sites.
Additionally, Baxters Highland Village serves as a historical site, showcasing its famous soups, jams, and jellies, though it is not currently open for visits.
Day 4 – Leisure Time and Family Fun
On your last day in the region have some more family fun with a visit to Byres Farm near Fochabers. It is not just fun here but educational as well, you can learn about Scottish farming, take part in farm tours and enjoy activities tailored for all ages.
As we briefly touched on Gordon Castle’s Walled Garden is a beautiful day out in itself, here you can explore one of the largest and oldest walled gardens in Britain, featuring beautiful plants, herbs, and vegetables. The gardens are beautiful and you could walk around for hours taking pictures and admiring the hardwork. After a walk stop off in the cafe where all the food is sourced either on the grounds or locally. It is a tranquil spot in Moray Speyside well worth savouring.
Where To Stay
- Speyside Self-Catering
- Collie Farmhouse
- Celeste Cottage
- Gordon Arms Hotel
- Gordon Castle Estate
- Burnside Caravan Park
- Dipple House
- Braehead Glamping
- The Mouries
- The Old Manse
- Orton Estate
- The Red Lion Tavern
- The Grant Arms
- Thistledown
- Trochelhill
- Stable Cottage
- Spey Bay Lodges
Where to Eat
- Christies Garden Centre
- Speyside Coffee Roasting and Cafe
- Gordon Castle Walled Garden
- Lower Mill of Tynet Farm
- Byres Farm
- WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre
Useful Links
- Fochabers Folk Museum and Heritage Centre: https://fochabers-heritage.co.uk/museum/
- Walks in Fochabers: https://www.morayways.org.uk/location/fochabers/
- Undiscovered Scotland – Fochabers: https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/fochabers/fochabers/index.html
- VisitScotland – Fochabers: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/towns-villages/fochabers-p237671
- Scottish Wildlife Trust – Spey Bay: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/spey-bay/
- VisitScotland- Spey Bay: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/spey-bay-p251981
- Undiscovered Scotland – Garmouth: https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/garmouth/garmouth/index.html
- Walks in Garmouth: https://www.morayways.org.uk/location/garmouth/