Sealife: Visit Friends of the Moray Firth Dolphins website for more information on the dolphins that can be found in the Moray Firth. Whilst staying in Buckie you may want to visit Spey Bay to explore the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Wildlife Centre, where you can find out about the local wildlife and the Moray Firth Dolphins. The centre is open 7 days a week from Easter to October.

Local Walks: Excellent local walks are available in the nearby vicinity, some more difficult and physically demanding than others but they can of course be taken at your own pace.

Speyside Way: The Speyside Way is one of several long distance routes in Scotland. It was first opened in 1981. A northern route from Spey Bay to Buckie was opened in 1999. The route links the Moray coast with the edge of the Grampian Mountains, following the valley of the River Spey. Visit Speyside Way Website for further details.

Portknockie: Several gentle, scenic and exhilarating walks are to be found at nearby Portknockie (approx 5miles to the East of Buckie). Portknockie itself being a picturesque and historic, traditional fishing village. Visit Portknockie.com for further details. Portknockie is a local practice area for the air/sea rescue helicopters which are frequently seen hovering above the cliff top.

Air/Sea rescue practising above Portknockie

Fishing: Scotland is renowned for its superb Salmon & Trout fishing, with Moray offering excellent fishing on either river, lake, or beach-casting along the Moray coastline together with fishing from many of the harbour walls, as well as boat trips for the more adventurous angler.

River Spey                                                             Portknockie Harbour

Cullen Bay anglers 01542 840293 or Turriff Tackle on 01888 562428 can provide details on permits and the supply of bait etc. Visit their website. for further details. Lochans Trout Fishery is another useful source of information: Tel 01261 821244/mobile 07801 698787.

Local Golf:Where to begin with Golf facilities in Scotland? It would seem almost every town or even village has its own superb course. Moray has a superb choice of championship courses, many with spectacular sea views or scenic countryside. Dufftown has the highest course in Scotland, whilst Lossiemouth offers a superb links course with many others close by. Strathlene at nearby Portessie/Findochty providing a full 18 hole course and floodlit driving range/practice area (01542-831789), Cullen (01542-840685) and many, many more. A very temperate climate and long days along the Moray coastline means golf can be played virtually all year. Details on all the regional golf courses can be found at Golf Grampian website. 

Buckpool Golf Course, Buckie.

Other Links to Local Attractions

Please find below links to other local attractions and places of interest in the area.

Scotland's Malt Whisky Trail The only Malt Whisky Trail in the world where you can visit distilleries both large and small, take guided tours (many with no admission charge) and at the end of the tour sample an excellent dram or two!.

Glenfiddich Distillery

The Highland Wildlife Park The Highland Wildlife Park Sample Scottish wildlife in the beautifully stunning setting of the Highland Wildlife Park.

WDCS Wildlife Centre Learn about the local wildlife including the Moray Firth Dolphins.

Wildlife Watching in the Cairngorms National Park.

Braemar Highland Safaris Braemar Highland Safaris Experience the open spaces of the Scottish Highlands by 4x4. A Safari by Land Rover, or Join one of the guided walks in the Cairngorms National Park.

Puffin Cruises Discover the amazing wildlife of the beautiful Moray Firth coast.

Gemini Explorer Wildlife Marine Tours Discover the beauty of the Moray Coastline. Contact the skipper - Davey 07747-626280 for availability.

The Castle Trail Scotlands only castle trail offering the visitor a unique opportunity to step back in time through Scotlands colourful and exciting heritage.

Strathspey Steam Railway Based at Aviemore this beautiful Steam Train travels through to, and stops at Boat of Garten and then on to Broomhill. A 20 mile round trip along part of the original Highland Railway.

Scottish Tartans MuseumScottish Tartans Museum Over 700 Tartans on Display. April - end of September. Mon-Sat, 11am-4pm.

Cairngorm Mountain Take a trip up the mountains on the Cairngorm Funicular Railway. Tel 01479-861261.

Special Events & Festivals:

For a full calendar of events and festivals visit Undiscovered Scotland Website or Visit Scotland Website where full details can be found on Museums/Childrens Events, Theatre, Arts, Wildlife Tours/Castles/The Whisky Trail, Horse Riding/Golf/ etc, etc.

HIGHLAND GAMES: For a comprehensive list of all venues and dates please visit: www.highlandgames-sga.com  

MARCH

Spring Over the Giant's Steps: Cullen Walks 30/03/2008. Mark the start of British summertime with a circular walk along the spectacular stretch of coastline. Walk over the Giant's Steps and learn how they were single- handedly put in place. Discover the story of Charlie the hermit and look out for natural gems hidden along the coast. This walk is only suitable for adults. Please book in advance. 1pm - 4pm. Contact: The Banff & Buchan Ranger Address: Telephone: 01261 813299

E-mail: banffandbuchan.ranger@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Web: www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/events

APRIL

Please visit Undiscovered Scotland Website or Visit Scotland Website for further details:

MAY

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival: 1st - 5th May 2008. Speyside, north-east Scotland. A lively celebration of the Scottish national drink in one of the most beautiful producing areas - almost fifty world-famous distilleries are located on Speyside. You can visit and tour most during the festival which also features tasting sessions, a gala dinner, ceilidh, tasting session and exhibitions. Heaven for whisky lovers. Visit: Spirit of Speyside.

JUNE

Cornhill Highland Games: Saturday 7.6.08

The Deveron Festival at Banff: second weekend in June, contact Elgin Tourist Information: 01343 542666 or Visit Scotland Website

World Ocean Day: Macduff 08.06.08

Keith Festival: second weekend in June, contact Elgin Tourist Info 01343 542666 or Visit Scotland Website

Portsoy Boat Festival: 21.06.08 - 22.06.08: Visit Scotland Website for further details.

JULY

Tomintoul Highland Games: Saturday 19.07.08

City of Inverness Games held at Bught Park Arena, Inverness: Sat 19th and Sunday 20th July 2008. Visit: Inverness Highland Games.

Dufftown Highland Games: Saturday 26.7.08

AUGUST

Ballater Highland Games: Thursday 14.08.08

Grantown Highland Games: Sunday 24.08.08

Speyfest at Fochabers: first weekend in August - Speyfest Website

Buckie Flower Show: August Bank holiday, contact as above.

SEPTEMBER

The world famous Braemar Gathering attended by The Queen. Saturday 6.9.08. Tel 01339 755377 or Braemar Gathering Website

OCTOBER

Halloween at Delgatie Castle: Turriff. 26.10.08. Old fashioned Scottish Halloween. Castle will be decorated and ghosts are sure to be around! 4 - 7pm. Entry 6. Tel: 01888-563479

NOVEMBER

Huntly Hairst: Huntly Food Festival and Halloween Weekend: Huntly 01/11/2007 - 04/11/2007. Celebrate great local produce from Huntly and District and the ancient Celtic festival of Halloween in one of Aberdeenshire's most attractive towns. Activities include the famous Huntly Halloween parade, a vibrant Farmers Market, demonstrations and tastings, a town centre ceilidh and a Slow Sunday Lunch. The Festival opening takes place at the Brander Library, Huntly 6.30pm Thursday 1st November. Telephone: 01466 792255

Walking With The Waders - Moray Rangers: Lossiemouth. 10/11/2007. See the waders, widgeon and other wildfowl at close quarters at Lossiemouth East Beach, foraging on the shore or swimming together in huge numbers. Great variety of birds and well worth a visit. Meet at Lossiemouth East Beach caravan site (signposted from Church Road off the A941). 11am - 1pm approx. For more details Tel: (01343) 557048

DECEMBER

Victorian Christmas Fayre: Turriff Theme: Fair Dates: 01/12/2007 - 02/12/2007 Description: Annual Victorian themed Christmas Fayre, Santa Claus, Victorian exhibits, craft fayre and much more. Children will receive a gift from Santa. 10am - 4pm. Entry - 4. Delgatie Castle, Turriff. Tel: 01888 563479 E-mail: jjohnson@delgatie-castle.freeserve.co.uk.

Huntly Farmers Market: Huntly Theme: Market Dates: 01/12/2007 Huntly Square. 9am - 1pm

We Wish You a Merry Christmas: Ballater 09/12/2007. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" at Old Royal Station, Ballater. Have a glass of mulled wine and mince pie and be entertained by The Ballater Songsters and Fiona Brandie's School of Dancing. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and do some Christmas shopping while the children visit Santa's Grotto. - tickets for Santa's Grotto must be purchased in advance from Ballater Tourist Information Centre, 013397 55306. 2pm - 4pm.