A lovely circular walk taking in Findhorn village, the shingle spit overlooking Findhorn Bay, the sandy beach and dunes. Findhorn has a couple of good cafes, two pubs and a shop.
Bog Factor
Paths, road with pavement, shingle and sandy beach
West Dunes car park, Findhorn.
Bus from Forres (336).
NJ036648
If driving park at the West Dunes car park, following the signs for the Heritage Centre through Findhorn, the car park is just beyond. The bus stops at the Post Office on the main inland street in Findhorn. From the car park walk back along the road towards the Heritage Centre (open summer only). The main building is on the left, whilst the centre also includes the ice house on the right which has displays about the local salmon industry and is well worth a look.
Immediately after the ice house turn right and keeping the field of sailing boats on your right head down to the water and turn right along the path beside it. Pass the cafe and boatyard to continue onto the shore to cross the inside of the 'hook' of the shingle spit formed at the mouth of Findhorn Bay, and passing the windsock. This is known as the Ee, a natural barrier built by storm-driven waves dragging sand and shingle across the Bay.
The sandspit makes Findhorn Bay the sheltered haven it is for birds and boats. Follow the tideline around the bay - which is sandy - and out onto the spit itself. Take care near the water's edge as there are strong currents in the deep channel.
On the opposite side the Culbin forest can be seen. Once on the seaward side head east along the sandy shore, dunes soon appearing on the inland side. Soon you can continue either along the beach, or on a path atop the dunes.
Common and Grey seals can often be seen in the waters here as well as Arctic Terns, Eider Ducks and the ever-present Oystercatcher. Pass the beach huts and keep following the shore, either on the beach or dune path, until the 6th set of wooden steps (the ones soon after the ramp which often has a horse-box sauna at the top). Take this set of steps to reach the East Dunes car park - which is some distance beyond the car park at the start of the walk. From here the anti-tank fortifications from the second world war can still be seen. Turn left and from the far end of the car park take the road heading inland from the car park through the dunes system.
Keep straight ahead along the road, eventually reaching houses and continuing ahead until the main road; here turn right (unless you want to visit the Findhorn Foundation, a holistic community and eco-village, which can be visited by a detour to the left to reach the entrance). Otherwise follow the road back into Findhorn, keeping left at a fork to continue along a street with lovely views over Findhorn Bay.
The path leads past two stone-built piers which offer good perspectives over the old buildings of the village.
The outward route is regained near the sailing boats; turn right here then left to pass the ice-house and heritage centre, taking another left and right to return to the car park.
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