Council area in Scotland
| Coordinates: | 57.46, -3.19 |
|---|---|
| OS grid ref: | NJ 28 41 |
Moray sits on the north‑east coast of Scotland, with a varied shoreline along the Moray Firth and fertile lowlands centred on the River Spey. The landscape ranges from windswept beaches and cliffs at Cullen and Lossiemouth to wooded glens and rolling farmland, and the area is noted for rich marine and bird life including occasional bottlenose dolphins in the firth.
The local economy mixes traditional industries and modern services: agriculture and fishing remain important, while tourism and whisky production around Speyside are major earners. The area is home to many well‑known distilleries clustered near towns such as Dufftown and Craigellachie, and Lossiemouth and the nearby RAF base bring a further economic and cultural presence. Small festivals, arts projects and the distinctive Findhorn community add to a lively local cultural scene.
Moray has a deep history from Pictish sites at Burghead and carved stones near Forres to the dramatic ruined shell of Elgin Cathedral, often called the Lantern of the North. Socially it remains a patchwork of market towns and rural villages with strong community ties, drawing visitors for walking, birdwatching, salmon fishing and the whisky trail as much as for its quiet everyday life.
AB37, AB38, AB55, AB56, IV30, IV31, IV32, IV36