These are just a selection of things to do and visit in Moray.
And, a whole extra day this month. Good news if your birthday is on the 29th, bad news if you are giving up drink/meat/cakes for February. Or paid monthly!
Now that we are well into 2020, it’s time to get organised and plan ahead for the year. I’m talking about booking holidays. February is the traditional time of the year to book holidays which is why we are bombarded with adverts for holidays to far-flung destinations on the TV and on social media. Booking your holiday early has the advantage of getting the flights, hotels and tour operator of choice; Ace. More importantly, you also have something to look forward to. A sunny spot (pun intended) in the diary. When work and life get you down you look at that week or two weeks and think, ‘Ah! That’s why I work!’ And, it means that work can plan around you.
So where to? Moray has to be up there with your top ten destinations of choice, so location is sorted. The historic town of Forres, is around an hour from Inverness airport and Aberdeen airport is about an hour and a half to the town of Keith in the east. There’s a train station in Elgin and most of our major towns. Hotels, b&bs, self-catering accommodation we have in abundance, catering (again pun intended) for all standards and pockets. The Moray Speyside Tourist website https://morayspeyside.com/ lists a number of them. Please don’t assume because we are in the quiet countryside that nothing happens here. Far from it; hotels and accommodation book quickly. We have two large military bases, a number of distilleries and global companies such as Baxters, Johnstons Woolen mill and Walkers shortbread here and we attract many tourists throughout the year. So, book early!
When? Most tourist venues open from Easter, such as our two museums, Elgin Museum and the Falconer Museum in Forres; castles, such as Ballindalloch Castle, Brodie Castle and Spynie Castle; as well as practically all the distilleries with visitor centres. However you don’t have to wait until Easter, some distilleries and popular tourist venues such as Elgin cathedral https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/elgin-cathedral/ and Duffus castle are open all year round. Always a bonus to visit when it’s quiet.
But then there’s the festivals and Highland games, you won’t want to miss those. I have listed below a few key dates for the diary.
Tickets for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/ (29 April to 10 May) go on sale on 12 February. The festival has a programme positively bursting with up to 700 whisky inspired events – exclusive tastings, fine dining, live music and ceilidhs across a number of venues throughout Moray and its neighbouring regions. It’s a great week to experience and you’ll definitely need a chauffeur!
Tickets are already on sale for Speyfest, 24-26 July, http://speyfest.com . Three days of the best in traditional and contemporary Celtic music, all in one venue, here on Ace Taxis doorstep in bonnie Fochabers. It’s a music festival, but no heaving crowds camping out in muddy fields here. It’s tented and seated so you can appreciate the music and of course, there’s a licensed bar and plenty food outlets. That Saturday (25th), is also the Dufftown Highland Games www.dufftownhighlandgames.com; now, there’s a fun weekend.
These are just a selection of things to do and visit in Moray. We’ve golf courses, salmon fishing, deer stalking, walking, cycling and watersports, all year round (or as the law permits). Whatever you’re planning, plan to include Ace Tours and we’ll tailor a plan to suit you and make it special. And more importantly, drive you around in style, taking the strain out of the travel.
The whale and dolphin centre opens mid-February: https://dolphincentre.whales.org/
Ballindalloch Castle opens 10 April: https://www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk/
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, 29 April to 10 May. https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/
Gordon Castle Highland Games: Sunday17 May. https://www.gordoncastle.co.uk/highland-games/
Dufftown Highland Games: Saturday 25 July https://www.dufftownhighlandgames.com/
Speyfest 24-26 July 2020. http://speyfest.com/
Keith Show on 9 -10 August 2020. http://www.keithshow.org.uk/
