Moray Guide

Moray has much to offer tourists, due to its situation between the Cairngorm mountains in the south, and the beautiful sandy coastline of the Moray Firth in the north. Moray benefits from an abundance of long stretches of unspoiled golden beaches, dotted by picturesque fishing villages along the coast. There is a large population of interesting wildlife including bottlenose dolphins which can be viewed from shore or by boat.

Here are some facts about Moray:

• Morayshire was the county of the historical Macbeth who was born around 1005. His father was Finlay, Mormaer (Lord) of Moray. In 1040, Macbeth killed the ruling king, Duncan I, in a battle near Elgin, and became king himself, ruling until his death at the Battle of Lumphanan in 1057.

• The last wolf in Scotland was killed in Morayshire in 1743, around the same time that the last wild pig was recorded in the country.

• The Moray Firth is one of just two main areas in the UK where bottlenose dolphins live. This Morayshire location is also inhabited by harbour porpoises, both grey and common seals, and a vast sea bird population, including guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes.

• The Grade A listed Knockando wool mill is the most complete working district mill in the UK, and has been in operation for 250 years. It's most productive time was during World War 1 when it was contracted to make blankets.

• Speyside malt whiskies come from Morayshire, with many of the famous brands sourcing their water from the River Spey. Well known distilleries there include Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and the Macallan.

• James Ramsay MacDonald was born in Lossiemouth, Morayshire, in 1866 and went on to become the United Kingdom's first Labour Prime Minister in 1924. He was also expelled from the Moray Golf Club in Lossiemouth for holding pacifist views.

• The Great Flood of 1829 washed out many of the low lying lands of Moray, as well as alot of north-east Scotland. It has been described as the most severe catastrophic flood in UK history.

• 'Flower of Scotland', which has been adopted as Scotland's unofficial national anthem, was written by Roy Williamson, who was also one half of the Scottish folk band 'The Corries'. Williamson was raised in Morayshire and spent his last few years in Forres.

Here are just some places to visit in and around Moray: