📌 Portessie, Moray
★★★
A reliable bus service makes this section of the Moray Coast Trail a hassle-free stroll, with plenty of opportunities for spotting marine life and seabirds amongst gorgeous coastal scenery. Findochty at the halfway point has a beautiful harbour as well as a general store, useful (although at the top of the village) for picking up an ice cream as fuel for the subsequent clifftop section. If you fancy a longer walk, continue on the coast path to Cullen, passing spectacular Bow Fiddle Rock.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start on Great Eastern Road (A942), east end of Portessie
🧭 OS. Grid Reference: NJ 445667
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.686395,-2.933045
🏁 Finish on Church Street (A942), Portknockie village centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NJ 489684
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.702414,-2.858329
🚌 Portessie (walk start) / Portknockie (walk finish)
🚗 Street parking (walk finish) – take the bus to the start (generally hourly, less frequent on Sundays – check times in advance)
📝 Key info
▶ 6 km / 4 mi | ▲ 180 m | ⌛ 2-2.5 hr | ⚠️ Linear route
Features: 🌊 Moray coastline; 🏠 Findochty ★★★; 🏠 Portknockie ★★
⬤ Moderate | Good coastal paths with a few rough sections, especially if you detour to various headlands.
Download file for GPS➡️ Eastbound linear walk: start – Craig Head – Findochty – Tronach Head – Portknockie & finish
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Large pod of dolphins swimming east around Tronach Head; lots of eider ducks, a few other seabirds.
Weather: Warm sunshine and light winds, temperature in high teens.
May 2014
