01 02 03 page one
page two
page three
Scottish Theme Day
Really Wild Festival
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
04 05 06 07 08 09 page four
page five
Gordon Castle Highland Games
Best Of
page seven
page eight
Dufftown Highland Games
Keith Show
page six
Piping At Forres
page nine
Elgin Food and Drink Festival
index
01 page one
Elgin Scottish Theme Day The market is open from 10am and the live entertainment kicks off at 11am with pipe bands playing around the city centre throughout the day and much more!
BID businesses who are taking market stalls will be joined by the Elgin Farmers Market, ensuring that there is a fantastic range of food, drink and crafts on offer.
Throughout the day people will be treated to a range of spectacular Scottish music and dance on the Plainstones. To make sure the younger visitors have a great day out, there will be a children’s craft area where kids can have fun making Scottish themed crafts.
Elgin Scottish Theme Day will bring together a range of locally produced Scottish food, crafts and whisky as well as a wide selection of live music, children’s entertainment and fun for the whole family.
www.elginbid.co.uk
30 April 2016
02 page two
Spey Bay -
THE REALLY WILD FESTIVAL 2 May 2016 Set in a beautiful area, right at the mouth of the Spey Bay river on a Scottish Wildlife Trust nature reserve.
Many amazing wildlife encounters are had each day including bottlenose dolphins, seals, ospreys, gannets and even the occasional appearance of an otter!
• Surf school • Traditional music • Face painting • Kids activities • and more…
You
can visit the largest Ice House in Scotland and experience the free interactive exhibition, with fun activities and games for all ages.
the Scottish Dolphin Centre is at th
www.wdcs.org/connect/wildlife_centre/events.php#.Vt2bo4_XLmI
Moray and Speyside is one of the best, if not the best place in the UK, to see dolphins.
• RSPB walks and talks • Land based dolphin watching • Scottish Wildlife Trust walks and talks • Binocular demonstrations from Optical
he heart of a Wildlife Trust reserve
03 page three
“Discover the passion behind the world’s finest whiskies… ” The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival takes place throughout the Speyside region of Moray and Speyside.
The Speyside region lies partly in Moray and partly in the Highlands of Scotland and is set around the River Spey which flows through it.
Legendary
malt whisky distilleries are found all along the length of the Spey, which is itself a legend, being one of the finest salmon rivers in Scotland.
Discover the delights of the dram with tours and tasting’s at many of the area's 50+ distilleries, including exclusive access to distilleries usually closed to the public.
28 April - 2 May
The Festival is taking part in Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, and there will be plenty of opportunities to marry the amber nectar with stunning castles.
www.spiritofspeyside.com/events
Held annually during the first long weekend in May, the Festival invites visitors to celebrate Scotland’s national drink through an inventive and wide-ranging programme of whisky inspired events – some educational, all of them fun.
04 page four
a memorable day out
Gordon Castle Highland Games and Country Fair 2016 Sunday May 15th • Massed Bands • Falconry Display • Laser Clays
www.gordoncastlehighlandgames.co.uk
The 2016 Games will be held in front of the picturesque Castle Tower in the well established and enlarged Highland Games Arena. Sited in front of the Castle, visitors are able to sit in comfort and enjoy the heavy eventers battling it out to win those traditional and much loved events such as Tossing the Caber, Shot Put and Hammer.
There will be plenty of fun activities to do and entertainments to enjoy for children of all ages at the 2016 Games. In the Castle grounds there will be a large funfair with many fabulous rides ands attractions. Whilst dotted here and there will be many stalls for the children with face painting and lots more.
Country Sports
An action packed programme of music, furry and feathered friends, traditional events, country pursuits, children’s entertainment and activities and a huge range of trade stands
Highland Dancing
Children’s Activities
Music and Song
Heavy Events
• 10k Race • Food & Drink Tasting’s • Solo Piping Competition • Gun Dog Display
05 page five
Best Of
• to do • to eat & drink • to shop
Harbour Lights
Outfit Moray
Overlooking the Marina, in a secluded corner of Lossiemouth, the Harbour Lights Cafe & Restaurant, Lossiemouth, Moray is a bustling daytime Cafe specialising in All day Breakfasts, Lunches, Snacks, Home Baking and a variety of Teas & Coffees.
Outfit Moray is an award winning outdoor education charity based in Lossiemouth, Moray, NE Scotland. We offer activities, courses and tailored programmes for schools, adults, families, and groups. Any money we make goes straight back into helping us to make a positive difference to the lives of the young people we work with.
On Saturday evenings, the Harbour Lights Cafe & Restaurant in Lossiemouth, Moray is transformed into a candlelit restaurant offering a freshly prepared A la Carte Dinner menu. The menu changes quarterly to reflect local and seasonal produce and now features a wider selection of dishes, including some popular choices and vegetarian options.
We offer a flexible equipment hire service so that you can walk, camp, bike or canoe in Moray without having to own the equipment. We can recommend places to go for biking, canoeing, surfing and walking.
North 58
Cluny Bank
Join us onboard for an exhilarating trip out to the Moray Firth, exploring the beautiful Moray coastline and its amazing and abundant wildlife.
Franklin’s Restaurant is Cluny Bank’s star turn. It’s award-winning food is renowned throughout Moray, and the hard work of chef/owner Lloyd Kenny. Lloyd’s list of culinary awards at Cluny Bank are: ● SHA Real and Local Food Restaurant of the Year 2011 ● Restaurant Special Commendation 2010 ● Real Food Chef Medaille d’Or 2010 ● Taste of Grampian Restaurant of the Year 2008
Operating out of Findhorn, the jewel of the north east of Scotland, North 58 Sea Adventures offers you the chance to do something a little different with truly unique experience.
When booking a table it is yours for the night, so we only shop and prepare for the reservations made and our guests arriving or staying in the hotel.
Benromach - Distillery Tour We invite you to discover the secret of Benromach for yourself. On your visit, you can see the mash tun, and the burnished copper stills, and witness our experienced distillers create the unique qualities of Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Enjoy a personal tour with a friendly guide or from the man behind the malt', Distillery Manager, Keith Cruickshank. Experience a tutored tasting, wander through our museum or exclusively hand fill your own unique bottle of Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky to commemorate your visit.
The Bakehouse Cafe
Bijou Cafe
We are open 7 days a week throughout the year, offering a changing menu of seasonal foods complimented by breads and other baked goods produced by our adjacent organic bakery.
Bijou Is a destination store which opened in June 2010. It is located in the old institute building which was completely revamped in a major renovation.
The majority of our ingredients are sourced from the local Moray region and whenever available are grown to organic / Demeter standards. As subscribers to the principles of the slow food movement we also endeavour to purchase products that are of artisan quality and fairly traded.
It compromises of a gift, card and jewellery store in the downstairs section with a 62 seat coffee shop on the first floor.
In both the cafe and the bakery our food is prepared from scratch every day.
All food is made on the premises and we pride ourself on our baking which won an award at The Scottish Homebaking Awards. Our coffee shop serves triple certified coffee and is table service in a very modern clean environment.
Best Of
• to do • to eat & drink • to shop
Qismat Tandoori Restaurant Our restaurant offers a fantastic dining atmosphere. Our Various menus offer wholesome dishes from every corner of India with spices, herbs, textures and flavours to lure any diner into our true Indian atmosphere. We boast some of the finest and authentic chefs, all the way from India, preparing creative and innovative dishes. Each chef offers expert knowledge of his regional dishes and their preparation. We also offer a comprehensive wine list to enhance your dining experience. “We can’t wait to serve you”.
Ace Adventures Moray based Activity Center offering the best year round White Water Rafting in the UK with additional Outdoor Adventure Activities. Outdoor Adventure Activities at Ace Auchnagairn: ● ● ● ● ● ●
White Water Rafting River Tubing & Cliff Jumping Family White Water Rafting Canoeing & Kayaking Canyoning Paintball
Lido Restaurant
Brodie Countryfare
Naturally you want to enjoy a pleasant dining experience that will appeal to everyone in the group.
Brodie Countryfare the shopping experience.......
The Lido Restaurant offers great service, atmosphere and a French and European menu. Everyone is more than welcome at this little gem in Elgin.
relaxing
Situated in a relaxing rural environment just a few minutes drive from Brodie Castle, we have created one of the most pleasant shopping experiences in the North of Scotland, providing a blend of quality and a traditional Scottish welcome. Foodhall & Delicatessen Womenswear Menswear Gifts and Interiors
Best Of
• to do • to eat & drink • to shop
Mosset Tavern
Gordon & MacPhail
Open seven days, our restaurant offers a superb selection of dishes for all occasions be it a simple soup and sandwich or a three course meal, and on Sundays our famous carvery awaits those with a hearty appetite who seek great wholesome food at fantastic prices.
When you visit the shop you will be greeted with the aroma of home cooked local gammon, the largest selection of the finest cheeses available in North East Scotland and shelves packed with a fantastic array of high quality grocery products.
At the Mosset Tavern children are more than welcome therefore making us the ideal venue to bring the family along, relax and enjoy fine Scottish fayre in a great location.
No visit to the Gordon & MacPhail store would be complete without a visit to the Whisky Room. Stocking around 1000 different single malt whiskies, the Whisky Room attracts customers from throughout the world to its crowded shelves. Browsing through the wide selection of whiskies, many of which are very old and extremely rare, you have entered the Aladdin’s Cave of whisky.
We can cater for small or large groups, special occasions or a simply intimate dinner for two, so why not book your table and come along.
Mansion House Hotel & Country Club This intimate award winning restaurant offers a memorable mix of modern & traditional menus with a few Scottish favourites. As a great alternative, visit the hotel's Bistro and enjoy a superb selection of food in a less formal atmosphere. Only the finest of fresh produce is used in both restaurants and the hotel boasts a fine selection of wines from around the world.
Glen Moray Visitors Centre A warm welcome awaits you at Glen Moray Distillery in Elgin. Glen Moray has been distilled on the banks of the River Lossie since 1897 by a small dedicated team of craftsmen. Take a tour at Glen Moray and your guide could be one of our craftsmen – each guide knows the process like the back of their hand.
Best Of
• to do • to eat & drink • to shop
Johnstons of Elgin
The 1629 Restaurant
Known for our extraordinary cashmere and beautiful tweed products, Johnstons of Elgin have been proudly manufacturing in Scotland since 1797. Our history is one of quality, resilience and outstanding provenance. We are the only mill in Scotland to take cashmere from fibre to fabric and we are the relied upon manufacturer for international fashion brands and Savile Row tailors alike.
The 1629 Restaurant in Lossiemouth has firmly established itself over the years as Moray's favourite eating-place.
Long renowned for our expertise in design, cashmere and fine woollens, the Johnstons of Elgin brand is inspired by our rich Scottish heritage and provenance.
Under the expert guidance of chef/proprietor David Guidi and family the food ranges from succulent-steaks to classical French and Italian dishes.
Walkers Shortbread It was over a hundred years ago that the Walker family started baking shortbread in the Speyside village of Aberlour, surrounded by the picturesque landscape of the Scottish highlands, and it is where they remain to this day. In its distinctive tartan packaging, Walkers range of products is packed with Scottish character, both inside and out. The name Walkers is recognised as a mark of excellence the world over, a true Scottish classic.
06 page six
The European Pipe Band Championships 2016 will involve thousands of pipers and drummers from bands from far and wide.
There will be four different competition arenas, with high quality piping in each arena from early in the morning.
A
Highland Dancing competition will also be taking place, and there will be a wide variety of other entertainments to suit all ages and interests, including craft and other trade stalls.
The best of food and drink from Moray and the surrounding area will be available in areas around the park.
25 June 2016
http://pipingatforres.com
A family friendly event that attracts more than 20,000 visitors, making it the biggest single-day event in Moray.
Grant Park, Forres
07 page seven
Highland Games originated many years ago, perhaps before Roman and Pictish times, as events organised by the Chief to find the best bodyguard, runners to act as couriers, musicians and dancers for entertainment.
Dufftown Highland Games 30 July 2016 Highland Games today are devoted to preserving and promoting Scottish Culture at its best, very often being the main highlight and focus of community life.
Dufftown Highland Games features the heavy events; hammers, shot, weights for distance and height and caber. It also features one of the best, hardest and strongly competed hill races in Scotland.
The Games are as much about music and dancing as they are about sports. There is also a competitive element here too and the Dufftown Games is a Massed Band Event. Historically, the clan chieftains pitted their pipers against those of other clans and the prestige that came from success was considerable.
The competitive element is a major attraction in its own right but when combined with the spectacle of Highland dancers and pipers and the colour and grandeur of the Scottish scenery which forms their backdrop, the Dufftown Highland Games become a must on any visitor's Scotland itinerary.
The Scottish Highland Games are one
http://dufftownhighlandgames.com/programme-2015.php
of the most popular events in Scotland
08 page eight
The Keith Country Show has a longstanding history and reputation, renowned for being one of Scotland's best shows.
The organisers are keen to maintain this proud tradition and continue to broaden the appeal of the show, attracting visitors from near and far.
Featuring
cattle, sheep, horses and goats, pipe band, sheep dog demonstration, motorcycle and quad bike display, pet show, craft fair, children's entertainment and over 200 trade stands.
Away from the Arena, there are a wide variety of trade stands, the food and drink fayre, craft fair and lifestyle marquee. Also, the acclaimed vintage display, truck show, highland dancing, pony club games, massed pipe bands, music and dance stage and the impressive Grand Parade of Livestock.
7 - 8 August 2016
www.keithshow.org.uk
09 page nine
City of Elgin
Festival
Food & Drink 20 August 2016
www.elginbid.co.uk
This foodie festival spills out into the streets surrounding the city centre with copious market stalls laden with produce from Moray and beyond.
This
is complimented by a craft market where you can browse for hand make, unique and unusual gifts and crafts.
There
will also be exciting cookery demonstrations using locally available produce, to give you ideas and inspiration.
To make sure everyone is catered for there will be children's activities and entertainment on offer.
While
you are visiting you may also wish to browse the wide range of exciting and unique shops located around the City.
Celebrate all that is great about Moray and beyond, as part of Homecoming Scotland 2016, at this great range of events.
O
ur campaign enables you to make a real difference by sharing your experience and highlighting your Best Of attractions and activities.
Our primary aim is to highlight the scenery and culture; the connections between people and place, history and heritage, the food & drink and the superb range of activities. You have a key role in the project. Please share your experience on our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/morayand speyside
help make
Moray & Speyside - Best Of is a campaign to raise awareness of what is available in Moray and Speyside for the visitor and, in inviting you to take part, help to make change to something established.
Visit the website:
www.morayandspeyside.co.uk
change to something established
Baxters Highland Village The Baxters Highland Village offers a variety of speciality shops, stocked with a wide range of Baxters and Audrey Baxter range of food products, as well as wines and whiskies, speciality foods, clothing, cookware and gifts. A trip to Baxters wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of our restaurants, where a sample of delicious Scottish fayre is served, including Baxters famous soups, pancakes fresh from the griddle and home baked pastries, in a relaxed and friendly environment.