Forres - full of culture and heritage, the jewel in the Moray county crown

Forres is one of the larger towns in Moray, and is surrounded by pretty villages, stunning coastal geology, distilleries and historic castles and monuments. The town has a rich history and plenty to see and do. It is one of the oldest towns in Scotland, referred to as the ‘Varar Estuary’ in Greco-Roman writings and the site of a royal castle from at least 900AD. The town today is known for its floral sculptures, having received Scotland in Bloom awards several times.

At the eastern end of the town stands Sueno’s Stone (translating to Sven’s Stone), encased in a glass pillar. This 6-meter tall stone was thought to be carved by the Picts to commemorate a defeat against Norse invaders.

There is an excellent museum in Forres – the Falconer Museum – hosting a range of fantastic exhibits of archaeology, natural history and world heritage. Nearby Kinloss (a former RAF base) is home to the Aviation Museum, an absolute must-do for aviation enthusiasts!

To the west of Forres, the River Findhorn meanders north into Findhorn Bay, a large, semi-enclosed basin famous for its wildlife and nationally important habitats. Bottlenose dolphins can even be spotted regularly form the shore! There is also a spectacular sandy beach here, backed by dunes, making the village a poplar destination in summer. Findhorn is home to a self-sufficient eco village and a thriving arts and crafts community, and hosts the annual Findhorn Bay Arts Festival.

There are several castles across Moray, both ruined and intact, hinting at the county’s important role for clans and aristocracy in centuries gone by. Blervie Castle, four miles southwest of Forres, is just one example of these – a ruined z-plan medieval building, with four large standing stones nearby – thought to be part of an ancient Caledonian stone circle.

Moray and Speyside are synonymous for some with whisky, you’re spoiled for choice in Forres with three – Dallas Dhu, Benromach and Gelnburgie – within just a few miles of the town. Anyone wanting to really dive into the area’s whisky heritage can follow the Malt Whisky Trail and visit the region’s many distilleries along the River Spey.

Rock climbers and geologists alike – or just anyone who enjoys exploring the coast – will love Cummingston, where sandstone cliffs are weathered and worn into coastal caves, arches and a seastack. The site is just 10 miles from Forres, tucked in by a small village – it’s easy to miss, but make sure you take a trip here!

Whether you come to Moray for whisky, historic castles or beaches, Forres and the surrounding area has a little bit of something for everyone. Climb a coastal cliff, take a wee dram or dive into a fascinating museum – the area has plenty to see and do.