A Grand Day Out!

Whilst not quite on a par with the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera the fishing villages along the Moray Coast are nonetheless steeped in history, tradition and legend.  They are also very picturesque.

Mrs CBL and I departed Banff and drove along to Portsoy (extra 1) which has three small harbours and plays host to the very popular Scottish Traditional Boat Festival in the month of June.  It was there that I spotted and captured my best ever dolphin photo (extra 2)!!

Buoyed by that wonderful experience we moved on a few miles to Cullen (main image), which is my favourite of the villages.  It is not only very attractive but it also home to the world famous (?) Cullen Skink a hearty and comforting soup which is made from smoked haddock, potatoes and cream!

We enjoyed our walk there along the beach but I have to admit it was very cold and we were happy to get back to the car and put the heater on full blast!

Onwards now to Portknockie where the highlight was seeing the Blow Fiddle Rock (extra 3) a natural sea arch which is so called because it resembles the tip of a fiddle/violin bow.  We were freezing by the time we climbed back up from the shore to the car park  (0°C + the windchill factor making more like -4°C!).

Our next port of call was only a short distance away at Findochty (pronounced Finnechty!) so no time for the car’s heater to warm us up!  Mrs CBL wisely decided to stay in the car which was parked beside the harbour.  I got out braving the chill and took a few photos.

The harbour is presided over by The White Mannie (extra 4) who keeps watch over the boats.  It is a pretty setting with the white church up on the hill and lots of colourful houses most of which are painted in a distinctive pattern.

Having not eaten since breakfast at the hotel (where I had over indulged as always, who has time for a cooked breakfast these days?) we were in much need of sustenance. We had decided to have lunch in the restaurant at Baxter’s of Fochabers a well known producer of fine, luxury Scottish food and drink.

So we drove past harbours at Portessie, Buckpool, Buckie and Portgordon which we will visit another (much warmer!) day as there was only one thing on my mind a piping hot plate of Cullen Skink (it has never tasted better!!).

After lunch we had a wee wander  around the many shops in their ‘Highland Village’ all of which are a delight to dip into.  Whilst Mrs CBL made a few purchases I looked around the original shop which nowadays tells the history of the family/company.

We had a grand day out!!!