Outdoors enthusiasts are being encouraged to explore some of Moray’s historic hidden gems during an upcoming celebration of the region’s natural environment.
Next month’s Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival will focus on the area’s heritage – with tours around some of its most ancient buildings.
And local historian, John Barrett, is staging an event which will take participants into the heart of a forgotten “ghost town”.
Mr Barrett is keen to shine a light on deserted settlements in Strathavon – where walkers will be able to venture into “the remains of a lost culture”.
He explained yesterday that the trip around the remote spot, just south of Tomintoul, would take a full day.
Until the first decades of the 19th century, the locale was heavily populated and supported a thriving economy, built around cattle-rearing and whisky manufacture.
But farming practice was radically changed between 1760 and 1840 as industry progressed, and the land eventually became used for sporting purposes.
Mr Barrett said the “fascinating remains” of the early modern townships, which once existed there, provide an eye-opening glimpse into a different time.
The special event sold out within a week of tickets going on sale, and an extra date has now been added.
And he has organised another stroll, tracing the origins and development of Forres, called A Royal Burgh: The Making of Medieval Forres.
Other new attractions this year include an “outdoor”-themed film evening being hosted by the Moray Speyside Film Club, and a “wild swim” event in Lochindorb.
And tours taking in the “secrets” of sites steeped in history, such as Pluscarden Abbey and Spynie Castle, are expected to be very popular.
There will be more than 50 events in total, covering almost all of Moray.
The Moray Way Association has been pledged £6,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund to stage the festival, which will run from June 16-25.
Its chairwoman, Bea Jefferson, said: “We are thrilled to have received support thanks to National Lottery players.
“Every year, interest in the event flourishes and the funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund ensures that we can keep growing.
“We look forward to celebrating Moray’s natural and built heritage through the Festival and our Moray Way project.”
Further information on all of the events is available at wwwmoraywalkingfestival.co.uk
