20 Attractions to Explore Near Loch Spynie

Spynie Palace was the fortified residence of the Bishops of Moray, standing some two miles north of Elgin on the edge of Spynie Loch, a sea loch providing direct access and a safe anchorage. It was also the centre of a thriving settlement. Today the splendid ruins of the Palace remain, but the loch is only a shadow of its former self and the medieval town has disappeared.

This beautiful garden stands in a fitting location a little north of Elgin Cathedral and on the opposite side of King Street. Beyond the gate is a remarkable three acre space, a "garden of repose" in which it is visitors can relax and enjoy the natural world. And, if they wish, follow the complex web of biblical references contained within both the planting and the hard landscaping.

Elgin Cathedral, known as the ‘Lantern of the North’, is one of Scotland’s most beautiful medieval cathedrals. 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.

Elgin Museum is Scotland's oldest independent museum, located in Elgin, Moray, Scotland. Its collections cover area fossils and geology, archaeology, ethnography, art and local history. Opened in 1843, it is one of the oldest independent museums in the country. The museum is run by The Moray Society. Its fossil collection is classed as a Recognised Collection by Museums Galleries Scotland.

The Duke of Gordon's Monument is a commemorative monument on Lady Hill near Elgin, Scotland. Built in honour of George Gordon, the 5th Duke of Gordon, the monument takes the form of a Tuscan column, 80 feet high, and 6 feet 9 inches wide at the base. The column is hollow, with a spiral staircase leading up the shaft which gives access to the top. It was erected in 1839, and a statue of Gordon, sculpted by Thomas Goodwillie, was installed on the top in 1855. It is designated as a Category A liste

Glen Moray distillery has been producing fine single malt since 1897. The locally malted barley and pure waters of the River Lossie combine to produce this delicate well-balanced whisky. The distillery has a visitor centre which offers tours and tastings year-round. Details can be found on the company website here: Distillery Tours. Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail is a tourism initiative featuring seven working Speyside distilleries including Glen Moray, a historic distillery and the Speyside Coope

Duffus Castle is a Norman motte and bailey castle augmented by a later stone keep. The original Norman motte and bailey fortress was composed of an impressive earthwork mound standing out from the low-lying Leigh of Moray, surrounded by a timber palisade. The castle was substantially rebuilt in the thirteenth century including construction of the large Keep seen today. Duffus was attacked on numerous occasions but remained in use until the eighteenth century.

This lovely stretch of beach, backed by grassy dunes lies approximately mid-way between Nairn and Banff, at the mouth of the River Lossie. The sand is soft and clean and the sea along this stretch of coastline is relatively clear so it would be perfect for swimming if only it was a wee bit warmer. The east beach has become something of a mecca for both wildlife enthusiasts and surfers, with the former hoping to see pods of bottlenose dolphins and the latter enjoying the powerful waves brought in

This pebbly beach continues into sand when walking in a westward direction. Admire the pretty dunes and look out for birds and the famous resident Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins. It has traditionally been a popular location for surfers. There are also so many things to do here.

Moray Golf Club is situated in Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland. The club has two eighteen-hole courses appropriately called the Old Course and the New Course. The club has played host to many championships, both amateur and professional. The old and new courses were designed by Old Tom Morris and Henry Cotton respectively.

Loch na Bo is a picturesque but little known man-made loch to the south of Lhanbryde. It is surrounded by woodland and is full of wildlife, including red squirrels, Daubenton bats, minks, and swans. To reach Loch na Bo follow the Garmouth Road and turn right at the playing field past the Community Centre.

Millbuies Loch was created by the damming of streams to provide angling facilities on the loch.Moray District Council took over the estate in 1975 and the fishing was extended to the public. The featured path around the loch is hard aggregate with various other paths leading off to scenic views. A large variety of rhododendrons and trees have been planted and this attracts wildlife, from red squirrels feeding at the station to roe deer, badger, rabbit and if you are quiet and lucky, pine martin.

Impressive mature larch trees stand out amongst the conifers lining the slopes above the man made fishery lake. There are leisurely lakeside walks and more challenging hillside paths offering great views of the Moray Firth. The planted rhododendrons and azaleas are really colourful in spring. A large variety of rhododendrons and trees have been planted and this attracts wildlife, from red squirrels feeding at the station to roe deer, badger, rabbit and if you are quiet and lucky, pine martin.

Sculptor's Cave is located on a beach of the Moray Firth, near Covesea. Lying below the beachside cliffs, the cave is accessible via two separate passages. There is evidence that this cave was an important place of ritual practice in the past. Bronze Age artifacts and clay pottery have been found within the cave and more disturbingly, a large number of human remains, predominantly those of children.

Hopeman East Beach forms a vast sandy paradise along the north coast of Cornwall. The local osprey and crocodile populations are also ideal places for bird watching and swimming. The beach often gets large waves, making it a popular spot for surfers. It is also a popular destination for walkers, with a coastal path passing the beach.

Pluscarden Abbey was founded in 1230 for Valliscaulian monks by King Alexander II. It is the only mediaeval monastery still in use for its original purpose in Britain. In 1948, the priory became a house of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation of Benedictines, and restoration began at the hands of monks from Prinknash Abbey in Gloucestershire. In 1966, the priory received its independence from the mother-house; it was elevated to abbatial status in 1974.

Gordon Castle is located near Fochabers in Moray, Scotland. Historically known as the Bog-of-Gight or Bog o'Gight, it was the principal seat of the Dukes of Gordon. Completed as one of Scotland’s largest houses in the 1770s by the Duke of Gordon, Gordon Castle is the historical home of the Gordons, one of Scotland’s oldest families. The estate nestles in the Spey valley, in the heart of whisky country, with a stretch of the Spey River running through the estate, which boasts some of the best sal

Fochabers Folk Museum and Heritage Centre houses a collection of gigs and carriages and an eclectic array of everyday objects showing the way of life and traditions of the north east of Scotland in the 18th and 19th centuries. Experience schooldays of the past in the Milne's schoolroom, set up to celebrate Alexander Milne, founder of Milne's Free School, a native of Fochabers who made his fortune in America and never forgot his home town.

The Glen of Rothes Fishery is located near Elgin in Morayshire, covering about 6 acres of water set in a scenic Highland glen and offers stillwater bank fishing for rainbows, blues, browns and brook trout. The Lochs are mainly fly only, but there are also two bait lochs, including coarse fishing. The lochs have matured well over the years, fly life is abundant and dry fly sport can be great when the conditions are right. Even the big carp are said to take a well presented fly and I believe some

Burghead Well stands in the north-eastern corner of what was once a great Pictish fort. Three huge ramparts and ditches cut off the headland heading into the Moray Firth. Behind them lay an inner fort, dating to about AD 500. Burghead may have served as a Pictish navy base, but it was destroyed by fire in the 800s.