Moray Speyside to Cullen and Back

Today we went East to the area of Moray Speyside. Our first stop was Fort George which is an historic garrison which in part is still being used today as a working army barracks. In fact there were areas we could not enter whilst Red flags were hoisted and we could hear firing in the distance. 

The area of massive stone walling (1.6km) and buildings was impressive and it is incomprehensible to imagine the logistics of the building project back in 1746.

Next stop - Nairn, a Victorian seaside resort with grand villas and a picturesque harbour.

The town of Elgin provided us with two historic sites to explore. The first one Elgin Cathedral which dates back to the 1200's. Mostly a ruin there were some buildings that were intact and another which was currently undergoing restoration work.

Adjacent To the Cathedral was a Biblical Garden which was open to anyone wanting to wander through. Again spring had arrived.

The second Elgin historical site was Spynie Palace. This is where the Bishops from the Cathedral resided over a period of nearly 500 years. 

We were able to climb David's Tower for breathtaking views over Moray. Whilst right at the top, exposed to the elements, a light fall of snow added to the effect. 

We virtually had this raw site to ourselves which was quite a contrast to our time at Edinburgh Castle. It gave us the opportunity to really absorb what we were seeing without commercialism taking over.

Our next ports of call (literally) were Portgorden

Buckie

Findochty, Portnockie and then lastly Cullen with it's very impressive Viaduct.

Some of our travelling took us through Pine forests and wooded areas thick with Birch trees.

Our last stop before arriving back in Inverness was to see the Sueno Stone at Forres. Said to be the most remarkable sculptured monument in Britain it is about 6 meters high and dates back to the end of the first millennium A.D. One side is a shaped cross hewn from the stone slab and adorned with intricate knot work. The other side is the scene of a battle. A glass box has been built around the precious antiquity to protect and preserve it.

Tomorrow we are off to the Isle of Skye.