5 Day Scenic Scotland - Inverness & Moray Coast

After pick-up, we travel south along the banks of Loch Ness with fabulous scenery and picturesque villages along the way. Take a hike at the Falls of Foyers before we stop at Fort Augustus village with a busy canal and spectacular views up Loch Ness. We head back into the "Capital of the Highlands" to spend the remainder of the afternoon taking in sights of interest or enjoying some free time exploring further on foot. Enjoy the city tonight before we depart for the Moray Coastline in the morning. 

This morning we visit Culloden Battlefield, which will provide a lasting image of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his 1746 Jacobite Army before we tour south into the Cairngorms 
National Park to visit Carrbridge village with historic bridge. Next, we visit Grantown-On-Spey for lunch and take the single-track road along Lochindorb, giving great views of the 
water and island castle ruins. We look for deer and eagles as we follow the River Findhorn to Dulsie Bridge, that offers a rare glimpse over one of the prettiest spots

We visit the nearby town of Forres, famous for its astonishing summer floral displays created by the dedicated local volunteers and the tallest carved Pictish monument in 
Scotland. Next, we tour to Findhorn Bay, which is a must-see and perfect for a walk along the beach, and then Lossiemouth town, where two stunning beaches flank the harbour. We will stop in historic Elgin to view the cathedral and have lunch at the Johnstones of Elgin. We spend the afternoon visiting the Scottish Dolphin Centre and the working harbour town of Buckie.

Enjoy a shoreline walk this morning to picturesque Bow Fiddle Rock, found just north of the pretty village of Portnockie. Next, we head inland for Keith, perfectly placed 
to enjoy the best of Moray Speyside. You may wish to visit Strath Isla, recognised as one of the prettiest distilleries in Scotland, which will provide the perfect introduction to 
whisky making, ending with a tasting of three whiskies. Visit Duff House to admire the Georgian architecture, paintings, and artwork. There are also extensive landscaped gardens to explore.

Today we tour east along the Moray Firth coast, visiting ruined castles and taking in the best of the stunning villages that hug the coastline. We explore the picturesque 
coastal villages of Gardenstown, Pennan, and Europe's best-preserved fishing village, Crovie. After lunch, we visit Cullykhan Bay with its lovely sandy beach, reached via a few 
minutes’ walk. The final leg of the journey takes us along the coast to the ruins of New Slains Castle and through Forvie National Nature Reserve.