Moray Walking and Outdoors Festival
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Whether you're interested in learning about Elgin's ghosts or how to survive in the wild, the Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival is for you.
The festival's widely varied programme is going to offer plenty of chances next month to learn all sorts of stuff you never knew about Moray.
Featured are 40 events between June 16 and June 26.
Ranging from long rambles to gentle ambles, you'll discover heaps of interesting things about Moray's history, archaeology and architecture as well as its natural landscapes and wildlife.
Heritage
- Cliff & Picts. Dr John Barrett will lead a walk where he'll be talking about medieval history, reptilian footprints, millstones, quarries and the Picts at Burghead.
- Explore the Dava Moor. John Halliday will reveal the history, legends, place names and former settlements of this romantic spot north of Grantown.
Wildlife
- Bee Walking. Learn more about the bees in your garden with Annie Ives from the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
- The Hidden Glen. A walk up to a secluded rustic log cabin in the Glenlivet hills, then across to Blairfindy moor and down to the Spey valley
Challenging Walks
- Glenfiddich to Glenlivet. This trek with the Dorenell and Glenlivet Ranger Services follows the path from Bridgehaugh in Glenfiddich through to Glenlivet. Transport included.
Other activities
- A Snap Shot of Nature. A trail with local photographer Gary Murison who will be passing on tips.
- Surf High. 'Have a go' event for complete beginners and novices with SurfABLE. All kit included.
The Moray Way Association organises the festival with the conscious aim of making it different.
Kath Todd, its chairwoman, says: "Every event has an 'element' connected to it, whether that's nature, heritage or learning about a landscape or a new skill.
"Notably, our festival also boasts a diverse range of providers, from local voluntary groups to outdoor activity organisations, who are all eager to demonstrate the wonders of Moray and why it's so special.
"The Moray Walking & Outdoor Festival is a community-run event.
"So participants will be pleased to know that any profits generated go back into supporting our other walking initiatives like the Moray Ways website – a digital library of Moray ways.
"We would be keen to hear from other community organisations who want to participate next year as the association can help with ideas and training."
This year's festival will see a mix of old favourites and 16 new activities.
A full programme with times and dates, plus information about tickets, can be viewed at moraywalkoutdoorfest.co.uk
