We are lucky here in Tomintoul. As well as the beautiful mountains all around us, we are also located about one hour from the Moray coast. A favourite place of mine is Findhorn. This is a pretty seaside village, with pubs, cafes and a few shops.
More importantly though, it has a beautiful bay and a beach that stretches into the distance. High tide leaves little beach exposed as it brings the sea up over the sand onto a shingle bank. However, at low tide it is possible to walk in an easterly direction along several miles of sand and sand dunes – perfect for walking a dog, or just enjoying the tranquillity of the place. Part of the mud flats that are exposed at low tide are full of birds and seals. We were lucky and saw about 20 seals in the distance on the sandbank at the mouth of the River Findhorn as well as one who decided to have a swim quite close to where we were walking.
Findhorn used to be an important fishing port during the nineteenth century and still has an Icehouse with underground chambers built over 150 years ago. These cool dark spaces stored ice for packing the Atlantic salmon en route to London. The chambers are now used as a museum and illustrate how fishermen lived, how the salmon were net caught along the coast and how the boats were built.
Today Findhorn is more about water sports than fishing, but the history of the place is fascinating. I try to get there about once a month and always enjoy the experience.
Kerry
