Morayshire with kids – Morayshire is so, So, SO renowned for whisky (think Speyside, people!) that I hadn’t really viewed it as a family destination. It’s a whisky destination, right? But obviously the area offers way more than just one

Exploring Cullen
isolated (but globally renowned, respected and adored) product. So when Moray Speyside Tourism sent us on a family press trip I actually didn’t know what to expect. Here’s Morayshire with Kids…
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For those who don’t know, Morayshire (tucked between the nearest cities of Aberdeen and Inverness) runs along the coast from Cullen to beyond Findhorn. Then heads deep inland beyond Tomintoul, covering a stunning region offering up mountains, rivers and beaches. Plus we found some really cool places to stay, and a very long list of places to eat. Many tempting cafés and restaurants offer much more besides, from Walled Gardens and dolphins, to soft play and a Victorian grocer’s shop.
What to Do
The Speyside Cooperage, Craigellachie
Admittedly our first stop is a core part of the local and international whisky industry, creating the barrels where the water of life matures. With barrels large and small used in the grounds, to create displays, play-houses, statues, tables and chairs, the approach felt much more child-orientated than I would have expected.
The guided tours (best to book a slot to avoid disappointment) aren’t particularly aimed at kids. We had the only tots on our tour, and everyone else was American, but it worked pretty well. Mainly because most of the tour is conducted at various points along a viewing gallery, looking down on the men crashing, thudding and hammering metal and wood into shape. Our 21st century children aren’t used to seeing men at work, pure physical activity, so our tots were awed by the noise and the sight of it all.
I never knew I’d find barrels interesting. The tour guide fleshed out the staff’s personalities, with tales of Atila the Hungarian who rides a Harley Davidson, Guinness World Record holder David McKenzie who holds the record for building a 190 litre barrel in the fastest time, and ‘Crazy Pete’, who apparently builds one even faster!
Extras – Free parking, and an informal café serving soup and a sandwich type lunches, tray bakes and coffees. Find the current prices here.
Brodie Castle & Playful Garden, Brodie, nr Forres

Brodie Castle
Brodie Castle was the seat of the Brodies of Brodie. To me, that’s just too many Brodies in one sentence, but the castle is beautiful. Run by the National Trust for Scotland, the tours are aimed at adult, but older kids may be more patient.
Our tots were relatively well behaved as we toured the elegant dining halls, libraries and bedrooms. The nursery was a highlight as they coloured on mini-blackboards like they’d gone back in time.
Maybe the reason they were so good was the promise of Brodie Castle’s relatively new Playful Garden. This innovative space contains a mix of installations allowing kids to play with sounds and visuals, as well as running, jumping and splashing. It’s a really quirky space, and all the better as adults can grab a coffee from the café and let the kids run free. There’s also an indoor soft-play area for rainy days.
Extras – Ample parking (free to NTS members) and café serving casual fare. For prices click here. The garden is quite expensive, considering many play parks are free, but it’s totally free to NTS members. And that’s a key element of the National Trust, you join up and can then visit any member site whenever and however many times you wish.
Nelson’s Tower, Forres

Nelson’s Tower
Built by public subscription after the death of Lord Admiral Nelson, this tower is run by local volunteers. For visitors it’s a very tranquil walk through the forest of Cluny Hill. The tower itself features exhibits on each floor relating to the Battle of Trafalgar, and the history of the building itself. The children were invited to ring a particularly noisy ship’s bell, which they did with delight far more often than any of us anticipated.
From the top of the tower the views over the Moray countryside and out to sea are simply excellent. The kids loved being King of the Castle.

Views from Nelson’s Tower
Extras – At the bottom of Cluny Hill is the lovely wee play park called Grant Park, which is also home to Mather’s Ice Cream. After our forest walk and tower visit, we spent an hour letting the kids be kids on the swings and slides. There’s free parking next to Grant Park. The forest path is uphill but relatively buggy friendly. The tower has no access for buggies or wheelchairs but you could leave prams etc. at the bottom.
FREE – check for opening hours and info here.
Scottish Dolphin Centre, Spey Bay
This low key centre makes for quite a relaxed hour or so. With cameras out to sea and over the river, visitors are invited to try to spot wild dolphins and sealife in its natural habitat. To be fair, we saw very little but had fun attempting to do so.

Inside the UK’s largest ice house!
The boys listened to recordings of dolphins and whales, and then helpfully imitated them.
Information boards around the centre display curious factoids about the dolphins of the Moray Firth, such as the fact that they are the biggest and chubbiest in the world. Who knew? Whilst it’s not a shiny, modern centre, its mix of wildlife jigsaws and toys create a relaxed vibe where kids learn more about one of the world’s most endearing mammals.
Extras – The attraction is also home to the largest ice-houses in the UK. Wrap up warm for a free tour.
Woodside Farm, Kinloss
Here you can feed crumbs to the chickens, meet the Aberdeen-Angus bulls, calves and cows, before heading inside to explore Woodside’s Play Area. Combining a mix of climbing frames, soft-play, jigsaws, fancy dress and board games, it’s ideal for wee ones.
The café, set back from the play area, with a window looking directly onto it, allows families to enjoy a tray bake or light lunch and coffee. If your tots are confident enough to play on their own, parents can kick back in the café whilst keeping an eye on wee ones through the glass.
Extras – Don’t leave without picking up some fresh produce from the farm shop. FREE entry with purchase.
Baxters of Fochabers
Renowned primarily for their soup and jams, Baxters is worth dropping into. The visitor centre includes a Victorian Grocer’s shop, akin to the one where the Baxters initially started selling their wares. There is a mix of shops, including a food hall stocking some of the finest produce from across Scotland. One shop sells Scottish alcohol, from fine gins to craft beers, and a third shop is packed to the rafters with Baxters’ produce.

Baxters’ legendary pancakes
Extras – We swung past the café to share a ginormous pancake with cream and strawberries. The Baxters’ pancakes are legendary.
Gordon Castle Walled Garden, Fochabers
At this historic walled garden, complete with attractive Victorian Glasshouse, you’ll find a super cool outdoor play area for kids, created from reclaimed materials on the estate. The café is delightful, and it’s a chance to pick up fresh produce and gin! Read a full write up here.
Explore Findhorn
This fascinating community stands out from the crowd. And the beach is a cracker too. Read the full write up here.
Morayshire with Kids – Where to Eat
The Old Mill Inn, Forres
Such a cosy historic vibe, under new management and dishing up classics such as Gressingham Duck, Black Isle Sirloin Steak and Loin of Organic Roe Dee with a tiny Shepherd’s Pie. The ‘Wee Miller’s Menu’ included a Melon Smile to start, Mini Fish Supper or Cheese Toastie with Skinny Chips and Beans, rounded off with a Clown’s Hat. Our kids talked about the Clown’s Hat for days – an upside down vanilla ice cream cone with fruit!
The Mosset Tavern, Brodie, nr Forres
Another great find. Modern and spacious, with cool playpacks for kids including colouring sets and stickers, and even a doll’s house in the corner to distract them. There’s a Vegan Menu, and the Day Menu included Pub Classics such as Guid Auld Mince and Tatties, or Steak and Craft Ale Pie, or Irn Bru Glazed Half Back of Pork Ribs. Kids could choose between a Roast Chicken Dinner, Spageti Bolognese with Garlic Bread, or a Children’s Picky Plate featuring a mix of nibbles.
Morayshire with Kids – Where to Stay
Macbeth’s Hillock, Forres
This is the coolest place, and the cosiest place for glamping. The Hillock is where it’s said Macbeth met the three witches who prophesised his rise and fall, so the witch theme is subtle but wonderfully done. The glamping pods include a kitchenette, shower, flushable toilet and a heater (a blessed heater). Campfires are set outside the pods, maintaining that camping, toasting marshmallow vibe. I plan to write this location up in detail, but if you can’t wait then click here.
Carden Cottages, Alves, Elgin
For homely, comfortable self catering cottages that simply offer everything you need to create a home from home then the four star Carden Cottages deliver. There are several cottages available so it’s easy to book as a group. Super spacious, clean and cosy, set in rural isolation, these traditional cottages offer a chance to escape from it all.
Cullen Harbour Hostel

Cullen Harbour Hostel
For hostelling try the wonderfully individual and idiosyncratic Cullen Harbour Hostel – full write up here!
As you can probably tell, I was quite overwhelmed by what I could do, where we could eat and the family friendly accommodation on offer in Morayshire. It exceeded expectations and would make a great day trip from Aberdeen/Inverness and you could easily pass a long weekend or week here.
Our Story – We drove from Aberdeen to Morayshire, it’s 2 hours from Aberdeen to Forres. There is also a train station in Elgin on the Aberdeen to Inverness route.
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Anosa
I must admit, I have never heard of Morayshire before but it seems like such an incredible place, I am adding it to my lise
scots2travel
A very picturesque corner of Scotland, glad to introduce you to it. That’s what’s so great about blog, you don’t see all the same old usual suspects.
hwood83
Never been to this place but have to say looks so many and so much to do too.
scots2travel
It’s quite an extensive region, which means there are rich pickings in terms of scenery and activities. Hopefully you can visit Scotland soon.
ChelseaMamma
I have just had to look up where Morayshire is, but looks like there is plenty of things to do for all the family
scots2travel
I totally get that. In the opening paras I tried to explain that ‘For those who don’t know, Morayshire (tucked between the nearest cities of Aberdeen and Inverness) runs along the coast from Cullen to beyond Findhorn. Then heads deep inland beyond Tomintoul, covering a stunning region offering up mountains, rivers and beaches.’ I didn’t expect everyone to know where it is, but such a rich offering whether you’re a whisky fan or not 🙂
Musings of a tired mummy...zzz...
There is a lot to do there! We are heading to Scotland next summer so will keep this in mind for a destination
scots2travel
Please do. If you like whisky you simply HAVE to visit.
David Macarthur
Glad to hear you enjoyed your visit to our little corner of the world. You really picked out some of the local highlights there we’re in The Mosset all the time.
You may have done so deliberately but one little correction, the Old Mill is in Brodie and not Forres.
scots2travel
Thanks so much. Will make that correction, we were whizzing all over the place trying to fit everything in 🙂
wayfaringkiwi1111
Bunnies and chickens for kids…whisky for the parents. Something for everyone ha ha!
scots2travel
Quite a heady mix! 🙂
Kathi
If there’s one thing I took away from walking the Speyside Way last year, then that there is more to Morayshire than whisky! Of course, we didn’t see much apart from the trail, but I loved the Dolphin Centre! I really want to go back now though, see those castles you mention and climb Nelson’s Tower!!
scots2travel
The food and drink options are worth indulging in too 🙂
Trish @ Mum's Gone To
I last visited Morayshire in 1988 when my husband was doing his medical training at the hospital in Elgin. It was a flying visit as I was working in London and we had only just started going out together a few months before! I think it deserves another trip, for old times sake. Baxters’ soup and whisky are enough to tempt me back. #culturedkids
scots2travel
That’s kinda sweet. Medicine can take you to some unexpected places! To be fair, I haven’t visited the region enough even though it’s only an hour from me, glad to rectify that and share some interesting and curious locations.
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays
I once spent a week in Morayshire for work and was blown away by the beauty of it that I vowed to return. Baxter’s was especially good but what I really need to see is that giant rabbit. #CulturedKids
scots2travel
Yes, the bunny was quite unexpected and verged on the surreal. Kids adored it! You’d probably also rate Gordon Castle and its Walled Garden (for culture and freshly grown produce), Nelson’s Tower (lots of history there) and Macbeth’s Hillock with its links to Shakespeare’s three witches of Macbeth.
Nancy | MapandFamily
I haven’t visited and only know the area for whisky and Findhorn. But there’s obviously so much to see! Thanks for such an interesting trip around Morayshire! #culturedkids
scots2travel
You’re right, I haven’t even really touched on the whisky because everyone associates it with Moray Speyside. and rightly so, but there’s so much more to get up to. Especially with wee ones, who may be too young for distillery tours! Thanks for visiting Scots2Travel.
bavariansojourn
It all looks so beautiful, and so does that food!! #CulturedKids
scots2travel
We definitely ate well on that trip!