Spey Bay Lodges Guidebook
Sightseeing
There is much to see & do at the Scottish Dolphin Centre in Spey Bay.
You can spot bottlenose Dolphins from the shore, take a tour of our Historic Ice House installation featuring a new “Dry Dive” installation opened in 2014 or take a relaxing walk along the mouth of the river Spey & learn about the Animals & Plants that live on the Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve. Once you come back from exploring all the centre has to offer you can enjoy a refreshing cup of tea and a delicious home bake or fancy piece as we say here!
The full WDC – Scottish Dolphin Centre website can be viewed at the following link:
https://dolphincentre.whales.org/
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Centro Scozzese dei Delfini
There is much to see & do at the Scottish Dolphin Centre in Spey Bay.
You can spot bottlenose Dolphins from the shore, take a tour of our Historic Ice House installation featuring a new “Dry Dive” installation opened in 2014 or take a relaxing walk along the mouth of the river Spey & learn about the Animals & Plants that live on the Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve. Once you come back from exploring all the centre has to offer you can enjoy a refreshing cup of tea and a delicious home bake or fancy piece as we say here!
The full WDC – Scottish Dolphin Centre website can be viewed at the following link:
https://dolphincentre.whales.org/
With over 200 years of tradition and experience in textile manufacturing a visit to Johnstons of Elgin is worth a visit. Tour the centre and learn about the manufactuirng history on their site.
There is also a wonderful opportunity to take home a high quality souvenir that will last a lifetime.
The Weaver's Restaurant is also a great lunch stop of a refreshing cup of tea and home bake.
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Johnstons of Elgin
With over 200 years of tradition and experience in textile manufacturing a visit to Johnstons of Elgin is worth a visit. Tour the centre and learn about the manufactuirng history on their site.
There is also a wonderful opportunity to take home a high quality souvenir that will last a lifetime.
The Weaver's Restaurant is also a great lunch stop of a refreshing cup of tea and home bake.
When the flowers are in bloom this is a particularly beautiful walled garden to take a stroll around. But is worth a visit at any time of year to learn about the produce grown in the walled gardens and enjoy a snack or meal in the cafe. Also, this is where the wonderful Gordon Castle Gin comes from so a trip into the shop is recommended to purchase a bottle. The shop also sells some beauty products made with ingredients from the walled garden and are a nice luxurious addition to your skincare routine.
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Gordon Castle Walled Garden
A96When the flowers are in bloom this is a particularly beautiful walled garden to take a stroll around. But is worth a visit at any time of year to learn about the produce grown in the walled gardens and enjoy a snack or meal in the cafe. Also, this is where the wonderful Gordon Castle Gin comes from so a trip into the shop is recommended to purchase a bottle. The shop also sells some beauty products made with ingredients from the walled garden and are a nice luxurious addition to your skincare routine.
Elgin Cathedral is a ruined cathedral built in the first half of the 1200s. Despite being a ruin Elgin Cathedral is a beautiful building and is well worth a visit to appreciate the beauty in the architecture still left and is a must see in Elgin.
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Cattedrale di Elgin
King StreetElgin Cathedral is a ruined cathedral built in the first half of the 1200s. Despite being a ruin Elgin Cathedral is a beautiful building and is well worth a visit to appreciate the beauty in the architecture still left and is a must see in Elgin.
This natural rock formation is a sight to behold. It is a short but steep walk from the town of Portknockie and well worth the adventure down to take in and hopefully take some beautiful photos for your scrapbook!
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Roccia del violino
This natural rock formation is a sight to behold. It is a short but steep walk from the town of Portknockie and well worth the adventure down to take in and hopefully take some beautiful photos for your scrapbook!
A fantastic local collection of classic cars kept in immaculate condition, well worth a visit for any car enthusiast. A personal favourite of Mark's!
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Moray Motor Museum
Bridge StreetA fantastic local collection of classic cars kept in immaculate condition, well worth a visit for any car enthusiast. A personal favourite of Mark's!
This is a great local museum to get a flavour of the immediate areas history.
Fochabers Folk Museum & Heritage Centre
24 A96This is a great local museum to get a flavour of the immediate areas history.
Elgin museum has a focus on the Moray area through all periods of history - from before the dinosaurs to present day!
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Elgin Museum
1 High StElgin museum has a focus on the Moray area through all periods of history - from before the dinosaurs to present day!
A great place to learn about whisky and its influence on the area. Worth checking current opening times and planning this into your day.
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Dufftown Whisky and Heritage Centre
10 Conval StA great place to learn about whisky and its influence on the area. Worth checking current opening times and planning this into your day.
We have enjoyed many great family trips here while we were young kids and older with our parents, Mark and Jill. My particular favourite is the red pandas!
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RZSS Highland Wildlife Park
We have enjoyed many great family trips here while we were young kids and older with our parents, Mark and Jill. My particular favourite is the red pandas!
A bridge designed by Thomas Telford, beautiful photos to be had here and an iconic sight in the area.
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Craigellachie Bridge
River SpeyA bridge designed by Thomas Telford, beautiful photos to be had here and an iconic sight in the area.
A small woolmill which has been on the go since 1784, some beautiful woven souvenirs to be purchased after learning about the skills and history on site.
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Knockando Woolmill
A small woolmill which has been on the go since 1784, some beautiful woven souvenirs to be purchased after learning about the skills and history on site.
They have a great exhibition here and it is a lovely walk around the battlefield.
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Culloden Battlefield station
They have a great exhibition here and it is a lovely walk around the battlefield.
This is an excellent visit for those of all ages, the exhibitions and information provide make for an interesting day and it's amazing to explore the whole area. If you're lucky you may spot dolphins out to sea from the walls of the Fort!
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Fort George
This is an excellent visit for those of all ages, the exhibitions and information provide make for an interesting day and it's amazing to explore the whole area. If you're lucky you may spot dolphins out to sea from the walls of the Fort!
A great exhibition all about our wee Nessie! Well worth a visit.
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Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition
A great exhibition all about our wee Nessie! Well worth a visit.
Fantastic trip on vintage trains, which you could tie in with a visit to Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown.
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The Keith & Dufftown Railway
Fantastic trip on vintage trains, which you could tie in with a visit to Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown.
Still in use for it's original purpose today, a very peaceful visit and if your visit is timed right you can hear the monks sing in Gregorian Chant.
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Pluscarden Abbey
Still in use for it's original purpose today, a very peaceful visit and if your visit is timed right you can hear the monks sing in Gregorian Chant.
Food scene
Fantastic ice cream made in the shop with a large selection of flavours which vary daily! This is a family favourite for a sweet treat. Highly recommend!
They also have a great selection of home bakes for take away or can be enjoyed with an ice cream as well.
Fochabers Ice Cream Parlour
33-35 High StFantastic ice cream made in the shop with a large selection of flavours which vary daily! This is a family favourite for a sweet treat. Highly recommend!
They also have a great selection of home bakes for take away or can be enjoyed with an ice cream as well.
If you are in the area, this is a great ice cream stop after a walk along Cullen beach.
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The Ice Cream Shop
Seafield StreetIf you are in the area, this is a great ice cream stop after a walk along Cullen beach.
While your walking along Cullen Beach it is well worth a stop with Coffee at the Kings either before or after your stroll to enjoy a warming cup of coffee and a home bake. The coffee is really good, personally recommended!
You'll find the silver trailer in the car park at Cullen Beach to the right as you enter the car park with your car.
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Coffee At The Kings
While your walking along Cullen Beach it is well worth a stop with Coffee at the Kings either before or after your stroll to enjoy a warming cup of coffee and a home bake. The coffee is really good, personally recommended!
You'll find the silver trailer in the car park at Cullen Beach to the right as you enter the car park with your car.
Milano Pizza
1 The SquareA great local pizza takeaway in Fochabers which we use ourselves for a treat!
Fochabers Fish Bar
19 High StGreat local fish and chip shop in fochabers where you can sit in or take away.
Great stop for delicious gelato after a walk along Lossie beach. Another personal family recommendation for ice cream.
Miele's of Lossie
17 Clifton RdGreat stop for delicious gelato after a walk along Lossie beach. Another personal family recommendation for ice cream.
A regular stop off for the family when we travel up this way, whether its for fly cup (coffee/tea and a home bake) or for lunch, good food and a great selection of quality scottish food, home wares and clothes which would make great souvenirs.
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Brodie Countryfare
A regular stop off for the family when we travel up this way, whether its for fly cup (coffee/tea and a home bake) or for lunch, good food and a great selection of quality scottish food, home wares and clothes which would make great souvenirs.
A lovely local restaurant and bar, we've had many family meals out here and had a lovely time and good food.
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The Mill House Hotel
A98A lovely local restaurant and bar, we've had many family meals out here and had a lovely time and good food.
A great bite to eat here for fly cup (local word for cup of tea/coffee) or spot of lunch.
The Quaich Cafe
85 High StA great bite to eat here for fly cup (local word for cup of tea/coffee) or spot of lunch.
A lovely garden centre with outdoor play area for young children with a wonderful restaurant for
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Christies
A lovely garden centre with outdoor play area for young children with a wonderful restaurant for
Gordon Arms Hotel
The SquareA great local hotel with restaurant for a evening meal.
A fantastic restaurant and bar, we have had many a wonderful family meal here to celebrate birthdays and holidays and just family visiting. Highly recommended for a delicious meal.
Sunninghill Hotel
Hay StreetA fantastic restaurant and bar, we have had many a wonderful family meal here to celebrate birthdays and holidays and just family visiting. Highly recommended for a delicious meal.
The Bay @ Spey Bay Golf Course offers a great selection of home bakes, lunches and does a specials menu at the weekend. Highly recommended for location and a great meal! They share the specials menu on their Facebook and we usually share this on our Spey Bay lodges facebook page as well to help you find it.
Spey Bay Golf Course
The Bay @ Spey Bay Golf Course offers a great selection of home bakes, lunches and does a specials menu at the weekend. Highly recommended for location and a great meal! They share the specials menu on their Facebook and we usually share this on our Spey Bay lodges facebook page as well to help you find it.
Fantastic ice cream, well worth a visit if in the area for a wee treat!
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Portsoy Ice Cream
24 Seafield StFantastic ice cream, well worth a visit if in the area for a wee treat!
Golf
Literally on the doorstep of our lodges, designed by the legendary Ben Sayers, the Spey Bay Golf Course was opened in 1907. We have special deals for rounds of golf so please just ask and we can arrange for you.
Spey Bay Golf Course
Literally on the doorstep of our lodges, designed by the legendary Ben Sayers, the Spey Bay Golf Course was opened in 1907. We have special deals for rounds of golf so please just ask and we can arrange for you.
Garmouth & Kingston Golf Course
Spey StreetAnother local golf course just across the River Spey.
Walks
Being on the door stop of the lodges, it makes for a most enjoyable walk along the pebble beach. Take in the sea breeze and just listen to the waves crashing on the shore.
Spey Bay
Being on the door stop of the lodges, it makes for a most enjoyable walk along the pebble beach. Take in the sea breeze and just listen to the waves crashing on the shore.
This is a wonderful sandy beach for a walk when the tide is out. Beautiful views along the coast and of the viaduct you pass under when entering the car park and great for spotting wildlife.
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Cullen beach
This is a wonderful sandy beach for a walk when the tide is out. Beautiful views along the coast and of the viaduct you pass under when entering the car park and great for spotting wildlife.
Although the visitor centre for the Speyside Way is in Aberlour, the walk runs the length of the River Spey. The Speyside way website has lots of information on how to walk different parts including those that are walking distance from our lodges. We are always happy to point you in the right direction from the lodges if you need it.
https://www.speysideway.org/route-sections-online-guide/
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Speyside Way Visitor Center
Although the visitor centre for the Speyside Way is in Aberlour, the walk runs the length of the River Spey. The Speyside way website has lots of information on how to walk different parts including those that are walking distance from our lodges. We are always happy to point you in the right direction from the lodges if you need it.
https://www.speysideway.org/route-sections-online-guide/
Sandend
Another lovely sandy beach to explore on a walk.
Another wonderful sandy beach which is great to explore for a walk.
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Spiaggia di Nairn
Another wonderful sandy beach which is great to explore for a walk.
Roseisle has a sandy beach area as well as forest, with a few trails which can be explored for walks. Keep an eye out for some of the anti-tank and pillbox defences while exploring.
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Roseisle Forest
Roseisle has a sandy beach area as well as forest, with a few trails which can be explored for walks. Keep an eye out for some of the anti-tank and pillbox defences while exploring.
Millbuies Country Park
A941There is a great approx 45 min walk to be enjoyed around the loch.
So many beautiful views, walks and drives to be explored in this area. If you have any specific thoughts or questions on areas to explore please just ask.
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Parco nazionale di Cairngorms
So many beautiful views, walks and drives to be explored in this area. If you have any specific thoughts or questions on areas to explore please just ask.
Well worth a stop and walk down to the shore here if you are in the area. High chances of catching a glimpse of the wild Moray Firth dolphins jumping out of the water!
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Chanonry Point Holiday Cottage
Ness RoadWell worth a stop and walk down to the shore here if you are in the area. High chances of catching a glimpse of the wild Moray Firth dolphins jumping out of the water!
City/town information
Elgin is the local city with supermarkets, clothes shops, cinema, restaurants, bars and the nearest hospital with an A&E department. It also has a wealth of attractions to visit and enjoy as well.
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Elgin
Elgin is the local city with supermarkets, clothes shops, cinema, restaurants, bars and the nearest hospital with an A&E department. It also has a wealth of attractions to visit and enjoy as well.
Buckie is just a 20 min drive along the coast from Spey Bay and has some shops, restaurants, takeaways and has a small Tesco which you can get most things you might require for cooking meals at the lodges.
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Buckie
Buckie is just a 20 min drive along the coast from Spey Bay and has some shops, restaurants, takeaways and has a small Tesco which you can get most things you might require for cooking meals at the lodges.
A cute wee coastal town made famous after featuring in the famous film Local Hero. Well worth a visit and walk along the front.
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Pennan
A cute wee coastal town made famous after featuring in the famous film Local Hero. Well worth a visit and walk along the front.
In Inverness you can find more selection of shops along with a multiplex cinema, restaurants and also the castle in the city centre.
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Inverness
In Inverness you can find more selection of shops along with a multiplex cinema, restaurants and also the castle in the city centre.
In Aberdeen you can find a larger selection of shops, restaurants and multiplex cinemas.
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Aberdeen
In Aberdeen you can find a larger selection of shops, restaurants and multiplex cinemas.
Whisky
Glenfiddich offer a great tour of the distillery to learn the way they produce their world famous whisky, including a tasting of some of their most popular malts. There is also a restuarant which offers great meals for a lunch afterwards or a morning or afternoon cup of tea/coffee.
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Glenfiddich Distillery station
Glenfiddich offer a great tour of the distillery to learn the way they produce their world famous whisky, including a tasting of some of their most popular malts. There is also a restuarant which offers great meals for a lunch afterwards or a morning or afternoon cup of tea/coffee.
Glenlivet is another great distillery which offers a wonderful tour of their whisky production. This is a more modern approach to the traditional process and a good comparison to Glenfiddich's more traditional approach.
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Glenlivet
Glenlivet is another great distillery which offers a wonderful tour of their whisky production. This is a more modern approach to the traditional process and a good comparison to Glenfiddich's more traditional approach.
Strathisla distillery offer pre-booked tours to discover the malt behind the Chivas Blend that is created there. A good contrast to the single malt tours of Glenfiddich or Glenlivet.
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Strathisla Distillery
Seafield AvenueStrathisla distillery offer pre-booked tours to discover the malt behind the Chivas Blend that is created there. A good contrast to the single malt tours of Glenfiddich or Glenlivet.
Another important part of the whisky industry is the barrels it uses, this is a worthwhile visit if you are interested in the craft of being a cooper.
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Centro visitatori di Speyside Cooperage
Duff TownAnother important part of the whisky industry is the barrels it uses, this is a worthwhile visit if you are interested in the craft of being a cooper.
Macallan have recently built a new visitors centre and distillery building which is most unusual. We took some of our visiting family to explore the new distillery last year and were not disappointed. Well worth a visit, they do daily tours but would be worth booking ahead to save disappointment.
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Opp Macallan Distillery station
Macallan have recently built a new visitors centre and distillery building which is most unusual. We took some of our visiting family to explore the new distillery last year and were not disappointed. Well worth a visit, they do daily tours but would be worth booking ahead to save disappointment.
Activities
If you are looking for something fun for all the family Elgin's bowling alley Pinz has a restaurant and bar, as well as a soft play area for younger children.
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Pinz Bowling
2 Moycroft RdIf you are looking for something fun for all the family Elgin's bowling alley Pinz has a restaurant and bar, as well as a soft play area for younger children.
This is a small two screen cinema which shows the latest films, best to check their website for the latest film times and to see what's on offer.
https://caledoniancinemas.co.uk/MorayPlayhouse.dll/WhatsOn
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Moray Playhouse
High StreetThis is a small two screen cinema which shows the latest films, best to check their website for the latest film times and to see what's on offer.
https://caledoniancinemas.co.uk/MorayPlayhouse.dll/WhatsOn
Local charity who run a bike rental, they have mountain, road and some electric bikes available for hire. If you need any help with any hires, please just get in touch and we will do our best to help.
Outfit Moray
Shore StreetLocal charity who run a bike rental, they have mountain, road and some electric bikes available for hire. If you need any help with any hires, please just get in touch and we will do our best to help.
A great day out for families with young kids.
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Parco Avventura Forestale Landmark
B9153A great day out for families with young kids.
The estate has a wealth of outdoor activities for all ages and interests available to book. Please see their website for their latest offerings.
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Rothiemurchus
The estate has a wealth of outdoor activities for all ages and interests available to book. Please see their website for their latest offerings.
This is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the wildlife in the Moray Firth, the sea which you are staying beside in our lodges!
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Acquario Marino di Macduff
11 High ShoreThis is a great place to visit if you want to learn more about the wildlife in the Moray Firth, the sea which you are staying beside in our lodges!