(No longer at) Easter 2021 – Elgin / Lossiemouth.

This year "our" Easter is the one postponed from 2020 and now postponed again in 2021.  It is now booked - starting on  Saturday September 4th to Saturday September 11th 2021. We can still pretend it's Easter because the day light hours will be identical - though almost certainly with no snow even on the hills!

Innes House has sufficient space to sleep 37 (given the right mix of double beds etc). Sufficient of us replied positively to the original transfer to 2021 so if all are able to go, the price each is possibly a little less than last time and we are likely to fit in comfortably.  I'll work this out again when I firm up details, probably by early/mid February.

The house was fully paid for in February of 2020 (before lock-down was envisaged) and the deposits paid so far will cover this providing that the majority of us are able to go. There are still a small number of spare beds if you couldn't come in 2020 and wish to join us in 2021.

So PLEASE let me know if were not coming in 2020 and now wish to come in 2021 

For consistancy with everyone else I will ask for a deposit of £235 per head.

I’ve reserved accommodation from Saturday September 4th to Saturday September 11th 2021 (i.e. arriving for Saturday pm / evening and vacating the house the next Saturday morning) 

 

Mountains and other Walks

Mountains 


The Barns of Bynack photo: Mick Knapton 

Bynack More and Bynack Beg

One of the most northerly of the Cairngorm Munroes Bynack More can be reached in a longish day from the setlement "Bynack Beg" at the end of the road SE out of Nethy Bridge (8-8.5 miles each way) or with a longer drive from near Glenmore Lodge following the tracks around the north of Creag na Gall (6.5-7 miles each way).

With a car shuffle the two routes can be linked.


Bynack More seen from the slopes of Beinn a' Chaorainn across the Dubh Lochan photo: Mick Knapton 

Cairn Gorm from across Coire an t-Sneachda. photo: Paul Kennedy 

Cairngorm Munros from the Ski Centre

Cairn Gorm itself is the most easily reached from the top of the Ski Centre road out of Coylumbridge. However the easy option using the fenicular railway is probably unavailable due to concrete rot in the rail supports. A chair lift may be working though if you feel lazy!

A fabulous walk west from a car park part way to the ski centre takes you  to the Chalamain gap. This leads you either to explore the famous Lairig Ghru (3 miles) which cuts through between the mountains or across it to Braeriach (6.5 miles.from the car)


The Chalamain Gap . photo: RogMcDog 

Ben Rinnes

Creag Mhor from Bynack Mor

Ben Carn Ealasaid summit
There are several Corbetts approachable by a short drive from our northern base.  Ben Rinnes is the closest and Carn Ealasaid by far the easiest corbett of any, being about 2 miles from the Lecht ski centre. A more interesting approach would be to follow the river south out of Tomintoul to reach the west-east ridge  which gently rolls to its summit (~9 miles).  An easy short descent to Lecht could find a prearranged car. Creag Mhor is a big Corbett (2930) and is (I think) most easily reached from the Cairngorm Ski Centre road as though heading for Bynack More around Creag na Gall (as above). Take the track which skirts east of the Bynacks to ascend Creag Mhor from Lochan Bhainne. (perhaps 8-9 miles of which 3 may be cycleable).

Low Level Walks & Cycles

The Moray Coastal Trail
Walking & Cycling Routes



Moray has a stunning coastline with something of everything - wide sandy beaches, some dramatic cliffs, coastal formations and attractive fishing villages. As might be expected, it makes for an excellent walking route - the Moray Coastal Trail. Beginning inland at the fine country town of Forres, it soon hits the coastline at Findhorn, famed for its eco-community. From here the coastal walking begins across the forested back of the vast Burghead Bay.

The section from Burghead to Lossiemouth has some superb clifftop walking with great seaviews. Further on is Spey Bay, renowned for its dolphins, the ship-building heritage of Buckie and finally a string of picturesque former fishing villages leads on to Cullen, just over 72km from the start. The walk in intermittently waymarked and follows paths, tracks and sandy beaches. The walking itself is straighforward throughout.. The links below lead you to route descriptions.
There is much walking and cycling possible in the coastal forestry.
The picture above is in the Culbin Forest north of Forres. 
Another useful site to visit is the Moray Tourist Information which suggests possible visits to both cycle and walk.


Tourism and Relaxation"

The Lighthouse
History
RAF & FLEET AIR ARM (FAA) Center
The Steading & Well
Gallery
Covesea Lighthouse & RN and RAF Heritage Centre
Covesea Lighthouse is on the outskirts of Lossiemouth. It is now owned by the Lossiemouth local community.

The views along both sides of the Moray Firth are wondrous and, when nature allows, there is much to be seen in the way of wild animals, birds and plants. The neighbouring RAF base is best viewed from the top of the lighthouse. Military aircraft flights, during the week, are unique in Scotland for the enthusiast or the casual visitor alike.

Covesea lighthouse is open for tours (weather permitting) on Saturdays at 10am and 11am. Other times can be arranged by appointment. As our tours are run entirely by volunteers, we would appreciate a minimum of 48 hours notice. These tours will always be dependant on the availability of our volunteer guides.

To avoid disappointment pre book a tour by calling 01343 810664, leave a message advising your name and phone number​, (some people forget!). A volunteer will call or text you back to confirm your booking. Alternatively email info@covesealighthouse.co.uk and a volunteer will get back to you as soon as possible. Please note there is limited space in the lighthouse so, for safety reasons, numbers have to be restricted. Pre bookings will take priority over someone just arriving at tour times.

RAF & FLEET AIR ARM, (FAA), HERITAGE CENTRE
Since 1999 the people of Lossiemouth had been working towards the development/provision of an aircraft viewing and interpretive facility. When the Lighthouse was decommissioned in 2012 and put on the market, the people of Lossiemouth realised this was an opportunity not only to save the lighthouse but to provide a site for viewing the activities on the airbase and aircraft coming in to land. The space for interpretation at the lighthouse is very limited so the new facility has been built on the adjoining land.

RAF Lossiemouth is the home of 1,2, 6 & 9 Squadrons, flying Typhoons and 5 Force Protection Wing, comprising 51 Squadron RAF Regiment and 2622(Highland) Squadron RAuxAF.  120 Squadron is the first of 2 Maritime Squadrons and is due to receive the first of its Poseidon P8A aircraft in early 2020.  201 Squadron will be the second Maritime Squadron.  In addition, Engineering & Logistics Wing, Base Support Wing and Operations Wing all support the flying activities at RAF Lossiemouth.

Operating Hours: Saturdays 11am to 4pm
                             Sundays  11am to 4pm

To arrange a visit outwith these hours please contact Chris at chrisptuke@gmail.com or on 01343 835537.

Moray Motor Museum
Veteran, Vintage and Classic Cars & Motorbikes along with memorabilia from a bygone motoring age.
Bridge Street
 Elgin, Moray
 IV30 4DE
 01343 544 933
info@moraymotormuseum.org

Open 11.00am - 5.00pm Everyday
Free Parking, Refreshments available, Restaurant Facilities

Adults £7.00
Juniors £3.00?
Family £15.00?
OAP's £6.00

Dolphin & Wild life Watching Boat Trips
There are several boat trips on the Moray Firth to enjoy the famous Moray Firth Dolphins, wildlife and stunning coastal scenery. Phoenix Sea Adventures operate from Nairn and Gemini Explorer from Buckie, just north of the house. Gemini uses a larger ex lifeboat and Phoenix a smaller fast boat, both for up to 12 people and private charters are possible.
National Trust for Scotland
There are several NTS properties within fairly easy reach. Distances from Elgin are given:
Brodie Castle (15 miles)  Off the A96, 4½ miles west of Forres
Leith Hall & Garden  (29 miles)  off the B9002, 1 mile west of Kennethmont. SE on A96 to Huntley then A97.
Fyvie Castle, Garden & Estate   (37 miles)  SE down the A96 beyond Huntley tmake way east to A947 Fyvie
RSPB Loch Spynie
Just 10 minutes from the towns of Elgin and Lossiemouth, Loch Spynie is one of Moray’s hidden gems. The reserve is a haven for ducks, geese and swans and offers visitors a good chance to spot otters and red squirrels
.
The Laich of Moray was once a huge sea loch. In the 1700s engineers were commissioned by local landowners to design the Spynie Canal to drain much of the loch and create the surrounding farm land. Thomas Telford added to this feat of engineering in the mid-19th century and Loch Spynie is the remaining body of water.

The loch is surrounded by wet woodlands, fen meadow and the largest freshwater reedbed in Scotland making it a haven for ducks, geese and swans. A Scots pine plantation means the reserve is also home to a variety of woodland birds.

Take a stroll along short trails and enjoy peaceful views of the loch from the hide where you can regularly spot otters and red squirrels too. loch-spynie
Gemini Tours
Phoenix Sea Adventures
Elgin Cathedral & the Biblical Garden
Leaving from Buckie and awarded a 4 Star Tour rating from the Scottish Tourist Board, the Moray Firth Dolphins, various species of whale and a wide range sea birds are often spotted on our tours, the dolphins regularly seen showing off around the boat!

Sailings 3 times daily aboard the beautiful ex Clyde class lifeboat The Gemini Explorer.

£25 adult for 2.5 hours
http://geminiexplorer.co.uk
Departing from Nairn harbour on board a 10.5 metre water jet powered cabin rib, enjoy the magnificent views of "Fishertown" and beautiful local beaches from a different aspect.
There's an abundance of wild-life in the area and the possibility of a sighting of seals, porpoises and dolphins.
We offer several different trips,, and can adjust a trip to suit larger parties.

Sailings at 8:30 and 11;00 mid week,  once at weekend.

£30 adult for 2 hours
http://geminiexplorer.com
Elgin Cathedral earned the name the ‘Lantern of the North’. Even as a ruin, the cathedral shines out as one of Scotland’s most ambitious and beautiful medieval buildings..
Historic Scotland: Daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Tours bookable
The nearby Biblical Garden is one of Elgin’s most attractive features, opened in 1996 and is an appropriate attraction given the town’s 14 centuries of religious tradition.
Located on a three-acre site almost in the shadow of the cathedral, this well-kept secret is a haven of color that changes over the summer months and with each successive year, giving visitors an always fresh experience,
Free to visit

ACCOMODATION

Innes House

This 17th-century manor  is set in an enviable position just north of the Cairngorms and west of the Spey Valley and is surrounded by a richly historic landscape. Built in the early 17th century, this has been a private family home since the 19th century, warmly welcoming guests to stay and celebrate special occasions. Surrounded by 3,000 acres of mature parkland, this grand property with its elegant facade and interiors, sleeps up to 37 people.

Inside there are ample social spaces for a large group to spread out and relax, from the cosy living rooms and ambient dining rooms to the ballrooms. In fact finding people will be a problem! There’s traditional Scottish style throughout, in keeping with the period heritage, yet with contemporary touches from the warming wood burner and (partial) underfloor heating to the many en-suites.

Outside, there’s an enclosed patio area with a BBQ, a large walled garden with a fountain, and 15 acres of horse grazing (available by arrangement). As the house hosts weddings, there will probably be a marquee in the garden. Guests can enjoy the grounds and its parkland and bonnie gardens, abundant with rare and historic trees, beautiful flowers, flights of stone steps, a pretty bridge and wildlife. Private parking is available for guests.


 

Rooms

Ground Floor:

Well-equipped kitchen and dining room 

Ballroom  No.1

First Floor (West and South Wings)
Living room 

Drawing room,

Compact kitchen
Library

Ballroom No.2 with a dining table 

Family bathroom, two WC’s, 

Two single bedrooms,  a super king-size with an en-suite. 

King-size bedroom with an en-suite on a mezzanine level of the West Wing.

First Floor (North and East Wings)
Sitting room

Four super-king (zip-linked beds) with en-suites, and a single bedroom with an en-suite. 

Super-king (zip-linked bed) with an en-suite

Twin bedroom with an en-suite on the first floor mezzanine of the East Wing.

Second Floor

Fully accessible super king-size bedroom with a shower room and adjoining family room. 

Two super king-size bedrooms with en-suites (one is zip-and-link) 

Third Floor

Three super king-size (zip-and-link) bedrooms with en-suites, 

Super king-size bedroom with an en-suite

Nursery room with two single beds.  


Equipment

Lift for access to all floors (Don't take this as a precedent!!)

3 additional Z-bed/ fold-out beds available upon request

TV with Freeview

Wifi access

AGA, electric oven and hob, dishwasher, fridge and microwave

Included

Biomass and partial underfloor heating – all energy included
Open fire with a starter pack of logs provided
Linen and towels provided

Open fire - logs

Dogs
Up to 3 dogs. Charged at £20 each per full or part week


Eating Together

We may need to split between the dining room and balllroom or we may be able to set up the ball room for us all.

Cost Estimate

I estimate the cost per head for the week will be: (numbers based on analysis of the 2019 bill)

 

Best

Typical

Worst

Accommodation per head inc heating etc (children 50%):

£210

£235

£250

Food

£60

£70

£80

Alcohol (depending on consumption!)

£0

£25

£60

Morning coffee / lunch out / Afternoon teas etc

£0

£35

£80

Tourism (e.g. Ferries, House/ Garden entry)

£0

£25

£40

Totals

£ 270

£ 368

£ 509

(in 2019 Accomodation cost was £246)

In addition to this there is the cost of transport i.e.:

         Hire cars and their fuel
         Fuel for private cars
         Flights /trains etc to Scotland

Decisions and Deposits Please

I paid a little over £2,000 in deposits. I will pay the balances in early February so I’m looking for a commitment as soon as you can, and sufficient deposits to mostly cover the house booking. It would be good to know your intentions in the next 2 weeks even if your deposit takes a little longer to organise.

Please send deposits of £235 per person (children £115) as soon as you feel able so my bank account feels less exposed! (See the email for sort code and account number in case you wish to use e-banking).