A town with two beaches that is a renowned surfing destination and place to sight bottlenose dolphins has been declared the most beautiful coastal spot in Scotland.
On the north east mainland, the harbour at Lossiemouth or 'Lossie', as the locals call it, is flanked by beaches to the east and west. The east is lined by pretty sand dunes and long stretches of white sand, making it an ideal place to walk the dog and contemplate the sweeping views across the harbour town.
The West Beach is probably the best known, stretching for over two miles west to Covesea Lighthouse and beyond. It is the start of the coastal path to Hopeman via the Moray Coast Trail.
The bird life on both is rich and diverse, as is the marine scene. Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins are known for splashing about in the water off the coast and are regularly spotted by those who spend time looking out into the waves.
The East Beach is a long stretch of sand (Getty Images)Lossiemouth today is a coming together of several ancient fishing villages - Kinneddar, Stotfield, Seatown, and Branderburgh - which sit on a peninsula wedged between the Moray Firth and the Loch Spynie. What was once an 11-mile sea loch became cut off from the sea due to shifting sands, before it was drained by engineer Thomas Telford. Much of the farmland that now surrounds Lossiemouth sits on fields that have been reclaimed from the water.
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According to Visit Moray Spayside, "Lossiemouth is The Riviera of the North". The tourist board enthuses: "Much of this beautiful coast town sits atop a cliff with spectacular views.
"The West Beach is dominated by the iconic Covesea Lighthouse and is situated next to Moray Golf Course, while the East meets the town at the mouth of the River Lossie and has beautiful sandy beaches and sand dunes that stretch the length of the beach. Both beaches are havens for visitors and locals to swim, surf or build sandcastles. Lossiemouth’s white-sand beaches stretch as far as the eye can see."
A pleasant afternoon can also be spent walking around the town itself, which is centered on a harbour dating back more than 250 years and filled with well-kept boats. The history continues through nearby coastal caves that offered shelter to Pict inhabitants a millennia ago.
If you like the sound of the coastal paradise, then it is worth visiting quickly to catch it before it changes too much. The town is in the middle of a growth boom thanks to the expansion of the nearby RAF base and overspill from nearby Elgin.
Parallel to the West Beach is the famous Moray Golf Club, a links course with a long history. Those who tee off on the course are regularly treated to impressive aerial displays as military craft take off from the base. Testament to the fine looks of the place is the fact that Visit Scotland recently placed East Beach in the number one spot in a list of the country's most beautiful beaches.
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