Rose Isle to Findhorn, August 7th 2014

We parked up at Rose Isle car park ready to walk the 4 ½ miles to Findhorn and back. The walk is part forest walk and part sandy not-quite-beach (more of that later). 

The forest:

It is a section of the Moray Coast Trail:

The first part of the walk we took a short detour. Instead of following the main path through the trees, we headed for the edge of the sandy cliff top above the beach. I call it a cliff, but it is really more of a sand dune. It was more out in the open, but there are decent views in both directions, so it was worth it.

Towards Burghead:

Towards Findhorn:

During the war, the locals decided to defend their coastline by placing huge concrete blocks on the beach, to prevent invasion. These can still be seen on the stretch towards Burghead and there are also pill boxes that were placed along the cliff top which have now fallen into the sea due to coastal erosion:

As we walked into the trees, we could hear gunfire – lots of gunfire. It was too early for a shooting range (before 9am) and too many volleys for a hunting party. We decided it was possibly the ranges at RAF Kinloss. Sure enough, we soon found ourselves walking along side a large fence and a sign finally told us we had been correct in our assumption:

Just checking Mum is still with us:

Aerials at RAF Kinloss, some regular ones, some not so usual:

Shortly after the end of the fence around Kinloss, we saw some wind turbines and not long after that, a sign to the Findhorn Foundation. This is an eco-friendly group of people who have set up a ‘village’ that is mostly self sustaining. We didn’t go to visit. Not only does it cost £18 per person to do so, but it is a whole day experience and we did not know whether they would welcome Storm or not.

The path varies along this part of the journey. It is mostly along the cliff top, but where there has been severe erosion of the underside of the cliff, washed away by the tides and storms, the path detours inland. There was a helpful sign telling us to use the new paths and not stick resolutely to the old ones:

The original path with the sign pointing further inland due to erosion:

Further evidence of the erosion:

Once inland, the terrain changed to what looked like desert! It was sandy with stones and pebbles covering it. It was also very arid and dry:

We did meet one couple – a mother and son we think. She was 80 and they had walked out together from Findhorn. They loved Storm and she relished the attention:

Before too long we arrived at Findhorn:

 The Crown and Anchor welcomed dogs – after 9.30pm, and only if food service had ceased and the dog was both clean and dry! So we went instead to the Nautical shop along the front, which also boasted a cafe. A large dog bowl full of water outside the door was a good sign. We went in – Storm was not allowed in the actual cafe area, but they had a seating area in the shop, where we could order food and sit and eat. We enjoyed our lunch; Storm enjoyed her water and a rest:

It was then back to Rose Isle, the same way we had come, with a quick rest once we regained the cool of the trees after crossing the 'desert':

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