📌 Hopeman, Moray
★★★
Blessed by the Moray microclimate, the coastal strip around Lossimeouth is so often sunny when it’s raining elsewhere in Scotland. This is just one of the excellent coast walks along the Riviera of the North, packed full of interesting coastal features, seabirds and the opportunity to spot dolphins and seals. The Moray Coast Trail runs along low cliffs for the walk’s middle section (with care, and favourable tides, you might be able to detour to Sculptor’s Cave from here) before descending to the Lossiemouth’s extensive West Beach. This sandy bay obviously looks best at low tide, so it’s worth timing your walk to coincide with this. The walk is a linear one and at least two buses will be required whether you have your own vehicle or not; advance perusal of timetables is recommended.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start on Forsyth Street (B9040) near Harbour Street junction, Hopeman village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NJ 146693
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.705082,-3.433910
🏁 Finish at James Square (B9040), Lossiemouth village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NJ 236710
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.722445,-3.284162
🚌 Bus to Hopeman (walk start), & from Lossiemouth (walk finish)
🚗 Car parks / street parking in Lossiemouth (walk finish), Hopeman (walk start) or Elgin (charge for some spots in Elgin). Buses link the walk start & finish with a change required in Elgin (check times in advance – no bus service to Hopeman on Sundays)
📝 Key info
▶ 12 km / 7 mi | ▲ 110 m | ⌛ 3-3.5 hr | ⚠️ Linear route
Features: 🏠 Hopeman; 🏖️ Clashach Cove & nearby sea stacks; ⚓ Covesea Lighthouse; 🏖️ Lossiemouth West Beach ★★★; 🏠 Lossiemouth
⬤ Moderate | Clear coast path on sand or dirt surface to Covesea Village; sandy beach beyond.
Download file for GPS➡️ Eastbound linear walk: start & Hopeman – harbour – Clashach Cove – Covesea Quarry – Covesea stacks – Covesea Lighthouse – Lossiemouth West Beach – Lossiemouth, harbour & finish
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Seabirds on the stacks, above the cliffs and on the beaches. This is also a good area for spotting dolphins.
Weather: Dry and sunny with a moderate breeze on the beach.
August 2013
