Findhorn Dunes Trust leading Summer Solstice Stroll during Moray Walking and Outdoors Festival
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A group set up to protect a local area of natural beauty and importance is hosting a guided tour on the longest day of the year.
The Findhorn Dunes Trust (FDT) have organised a 'Summer Solstice Sunset Stroll' from 8-10pm on Tuesday, June 20 as part of the Moray Walking and Outdoors Festival.
A spokesperson said: "We shall go riding the marches from the beach at low tide to the hinterland.
"Attendees will see and hear about its extent: its flora such as lichens, pines and invasives; its archaeology including the Bronze Age, fishing and World War II; its landscape featuring raised beaches, delicate surfaces and erosion; its challenges, some of which are m-cycles, fires, dogs out of control and litter; its fauna; and the sunset which will be just after 10pm on the night."
The FDT charity - made up of nine trustees and an honorary lichenologist - was set up in 2000 to look after 175 acres of gifted dunes east of Findhorn. Its purpose is to maintain biological diversity and public access.
The trust and neighbours restrict motorised vehicles from going on the dunes and damaging the rare heath environment which supports over 200 species of lichen.
Timothy Finnegan will be leading the walk with some of the trustees.
He said: "Dunes are a rapidly diminishing environment throughout Europe. Being on the coast, many of them have been developed.
"These dunes were under the sea but have become raised since the last Ice Age, some 12,000 years ago.
"There are ground nesting birds amongst them in Findhorn, such as Plover, which can be disturbed by uncontrolled dogs. The lichens are important organisms created by fungus and algae."
He added: "Book now via https://www.moraywalkoutdoorfest.co.uk/event/summer-solstice-sunset-stroll/ to avoid disappointment as there is a limit on numbers."
