First Moray Walking Festival

The first Moray Walking Festival will take place next week, from Thursday 21 June to Sunday 24 June inclusive and offers a unique opportunity to walk in Scotland's Malt Whisky Country, for Moray is the home to more than half of Scotland's malt whisky distilleries. The dates have been carefully chosen to make the most of the north of Scotland's long days and summer light.

The programme, available and bookable on the website, includes walks for a wide range of abilities in a choice of beautiful locations, from Highland Moray in the Cairngorms National Park to the sandy beaches and cliffs of the Moray Firth coast, one of the best places to see dolphins and even whales.

Highlights include an opportunity to experience sunrise on Ben Rinnes on the shortest night of the year, historical walks and wildlife-spotting walks, on the coast, looking for dolphins and perhaps whales, and in the hills and forests, where roe deer, red squirrel and even capercaillie may be seen. Other options include following in the footsteps of whisky smugglers in Glenlivet, or even the Vikings near Dufftown. The village children have also developed ‘Dufftown Story Walks’ which are perfect for families, while adults may prefer the ‘Dramble’ combining a relaxed evening walk with stories and drams of local whiskies. There are also limited places to experience a three rivers walk, featuring the Rivers Divie, Dorback and Findhorn and which is not accessible to individual walkers or groups as it passes through private gardens. Other events include tutored whisky tastings and the Festival ceilidh.

Part-sponsored, rather appropriately, by Walkers Shortbread, the Festival is also supported by Awards for All and funded through the European Community Moray LEADER programme.