Captivating Cullen

Willie Shand enjoys a day out at this pretty town on the Moray Firth.

THIS morning I’ve come north to spend some time on the Moray Firth and to visit a particularly bonnie part of Scotland’s coastline that sometimes can be overlooked.

All along the south shores of the Firth, from Inverness to Fraserburgh, you can hardly go a mile without finding something to catch your eye.

There’s the fantastic beach of Burghead; busy old fishing ports like Buckie, Banff and Macduff; and the picturesque villages of Sandend, Gardenstown, Pennan and Crovie, the coast punctuated every now and again by Nature’s own sea-carved handiwork.

While most holiday-makers follow the well-beaten track to the west coast, those that venture east to Moray might be pleasantly surprised and what’s more, enjoy better weather at the same time.

With its own microclimate, the Moray coast can claim to have some of the sunniest places in the country.

I’m hoping it lives up to that reputation today as it’s my intention to take a walk round the coast from Cullen to the neighbouring villages of Portknockie and Findochty.

On a good day like this you can see quite clearly across the Firth, the distant hills of Sutherland rising away beyond Brora and Helmsdale.

And, while you are looking out to sea, keep an eye open for dolphins or, as they’re locally known, “louper dogs”. This is one of the best places in Europe to spot them. The Firth is home to some 130 bottlenose dolphins.

Cullen is a right interesting old place with a history to match. It can even boast association with King Robert the Bruce, as it was here in the Auld Kirk that his wife Queen Elizabeth de Burgh’s remains were buried in 1327.