Historic Findhorn.
Start. B9011 near Findhorn Harbour.
Route. B9011- Harbour - Beach - Dunes Road - B9011.
Notes. This was a short unplanned walk, because we were there en route to somewhere else, Findhorn I'll refer to as a sleepy backwater a real unspoilt delight. Not always so, the original village dating from 1189 was moved over time, probably to avoid encroaching sand, storms in the 1600s saw the sand win, burying the village forever. A replacement was built only to be lost to floods in 1701, we now have the third reincarnation and a beautiful place it is. Boasting a major sea port in the seventeenth century, a major fishing port in the nineteenth, Findhorn can now brag a fine marina, Ice House Heritage Centre, the Findhorn Spiritual Community education centre and eco village, not forgetting some of the most wonderful beaches on the east coast of Scotland.
Seen from the parked car Findhorn Bay.
Findhorn Bay cuts a mile inland, with a narrow entrance makes a great safe haven....
....and the Royal Findhorn Yacht Club makes good use of it.
Seen across Findhorn Bay Culbin Forest.
As we crossed the board-walk over the dunes this view was totally unexpected.
From Findhorn Beach stunning views over Burghead Bay....
....and north with the hills of Easter Ross seen over the Moray Firth.
The path actually traverses a ridge between the dunes and the beach, on a day like today far better to wander down the beach.
The blue/grey hills of Easter Ross.
Big skies over the seven mile stretch of wonderful sand, starting at Findhorn Bay ending at Burghead.
These concrete wartime defences mark the point where we left the beach, our route followed Dunes Road inland.
The dunes east of Findhorn.
Another view across the dunes, behind me the lane is lined with long grass and gorse interspersed with wild roses, beyond them the eco-friendly houses of the Findhorn Community.
Back at the car and the rising tide has filled the vast basin of Findhorn Bay.