Living in Moray

If you are house hunting in Moray or curious to know what the region is like, this guide covers everything you want to know - from popular areas to live, things to do, and how easy it is to get around. 

What is Moray like?

Moray is a council region in Scotland that lies between the areas of Aberdeenshire and Highland, and stretches from the southern shore of the Moray Firth to the Cairngorm Mountains. 

It’s known for its stunning scenery, coastal fishing villages, picturesque beaches and quiet pace of life. Moray is mostly rural - a mix of coast, farmland, forest and hills - along with larger urban areas and towns. Only around 95,000 people live in Moray, and roughly a quarter live in its largest town, Elgin.

The Moray Firth coastline runs along the northern edge of the region. Here you’ll find quaint fishing villages like Lossiemouth, Portgordon and Buckie; beautiful sandy beaches; rocky cliffs and views across to the Black Isle. This area is also home to around 200 bottlenose dolphins, as well as harbour seals, grey seals, and the occasional minke whale or basking shark.

The River Spey cuts through the area from south to north. At 107 miles, it is the second longest river in Scotland and one of the most popular places in the UK for salmon fishing. The river also lends itself to perhaps Moray’s greatest claim to fame: Speyside whisky. Speyside has the greatest concentration of whisky distilleries in Scotland, with over 50 located here. 

Popular places to live

Moray has a good mix of rural and urban areas, meaning you are just as likely to find a traditional stone cottage as you would a new build home for sale. Some of the most popular and desirable places to live are:

Elgin

Elgin is the largest town in Moray and the main hub of the region. It has a good mix of independent shops and familiar chain stores, and a brilliant choice of supermarkets, restaurants, bars and cafes. For families, there are several schools, a college, a hospital, a cinema and plenty of green space, including Cooper Park which sits just a short walk from the town centre.

The town also has a rich history. Elgin Cathedral, known as the Lantern of the North, is one of Scotland's most impressive medieval buildings, and you can still climb the towers for views over the town. 

Elgin sits in the heart of Speyside whisky country, with several distilleries nearby, including Glen Moray, which is just a short walk from the town centre. The sandy beaches of Lossiemouth are just a short drive away, as are the riverside walks and woodland trails of Millbuies Country Park. History enthusiasts are also well catered for, with Spynie Palace and Pluscarden Abbey both within easy reach of the town. 

If you are looking for a relaxed place to live with a community spirit at its heart, then look no further than Glassgreen Village. Our new build development is part of Elgin South and has a mix of 2 bedroom apartments and 3–4 bedroom homes. Ideally positioned, the development sits adjacent to a golf course, offering an attractive outlook and easy access for those who enjoy the game or simply appreciate open green surroundings.

Lossiemouth

Lossiemouth is a seaside town on the Moray coast, with a population of around 7,000 people. It boasts two popular sandy beaches, a marina that is usually full of pleasure boats and trawlers, a golf course, and scenic walking trails along the coast and out to Covesea Lighthouse. It’s also an amazing place to see RAF aircraft up close, as RAF Lossiemouth is one of two RAF Quick Reaction Alert stations. The town also has two primary schools and a high school. 

Buckie

Buckie is another seaside town on the Moray Firth coast between Lossiemouth and Banff. 

It has a proud fishing heritage - Cluny Harbour was once regarded as one of the finest ports in Scotland - and the harbour remains active for commercial fishing to this day. The Moray Coast Trail runs through the town; following it west takes you to Lossiemouth and east is towards Cullen. 

Around 9,000 people call Buckie home, and the town is well served with shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. You'll find Tesco, Co-op and Lidl alongside a Victorian high street full of independent shops — bakeries, butchers, gift shops and more. There are also doctor's surgeries, dentists, opticians and everything else you'd expect for day-to-day life. Families are well catered for, with three primary schools, a secondary school, and several parks and playgrounds. 

For those who like to stay active, there's a 25-metre swimming pool and leisure centre, plus a Motion Fitness gym in the town centre. Golfers are particularly well served - Buckpool and Strathlene are two excellent links courses less than ten minutes apart, both with stunning views across the Moray Firth. Wildlife lovers will also appreciate the area; the Scottish Dolphin Centre in nearby Spey Bay is one of the best places in the UK for dolphin watching, with seals and otters sometimes spotted along the shore too. 

House hunting in Buckie? Inchgower View is a beautiful collection of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes, designed to make the most of their stunning coastal setting. As the development progresses, residents will also benefit from a play area, allotments, open green spaces and new woodland with paths.

Forres

Forres is one of Scotland’s oldest towns. It was established as a Royal Burgh in around 1150, but there was a royal castle on the site from as early as 900 AD. Archaeological remains estimate that the area may even have been inhabited as early as 800 BC. You’ll find signs of its past throughout the town like Sueno’s Stone, a large Pictish monument that is the tallest carved stone in Scotland. 

The high street has a mix of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. There are several pre-schools and primary schools, as well as Forres Academy, a comprehensive secondary school. Forres station is on the Aberdeen - Inverness line, with journeys taking around 1 hour 45 minutes to Aberdeen and 30 minutes to Inverness. 

Forres is a fantastic place to live if you like the outdoors, green spaces, and a relaxed pace of life. You are close to Culbin Forest and Findhorn Bay, which has a sailing and watersports centre. You can hike or cycle along the Dava Way, visit Benromach Distillery, enjoy a day out at Brodie Castle or take in a round or two of golf - there are 20 courses within an hour of Forres!

Looking for a quiet, close-knit community in Forres? Knockomie Braes is a Springfield development of 3 and 4 bedroom family homes. 

How easy is it to get around Moray? 

Moray is well connected by road and rail (although this applies more to the north of the area if travelling by train). The A96 runs through the north of the region, linking it to Inverness in the west and Aberdeen in the east, with Forres, Elgin and Keith all on the route. The A95 and A941 are the other two main roads connecting you to the Cairngorms and the central Highlands.

The Aberdeen-Inverness railway line also follows the A96 corridor. There are train stations at Elgin, Forres and Keith, and services run several times a day to Aberdeen or Inverness. If you need to get anywhere else within Moray then it’s best to travel via local bus routes or car. 

Inverness Airport is the nearest airport, offering flights to major UK cities (London, Manchester and Bristol) and some European destinations.

What is there to do in Moray?

If you love spending time outdoors, then you’ll fall in love with Moray. Think of any outdoor activity, and chances are you’ll be able to do it here: walking, cycling, golf, whitewater rafting, coasteering, canyoning, surfing…the list goes on. 

Keen walkers can follow the coastal path along the Moray Coast Trail, a 50 mile route running from Findhorn to Cullen; or hike part or all of the sections of the Speyside Way, an 84 mile trail that connects the coastal town of Buckie to Aviemore in the Cairngorm Mountains. 

Wildlife lovers can spend countless hours on the Moray Firth coast watching dolphins, seals or birds, or walk the moorlands or woodland areas where you’ll see red deer, red squirrels and pine martens. 

Moray has a fascinating history, and you can explore countless castles, cathedrals, museums, and Pictish stones throughout the region. It’s also a hotspot for amazing food and drink, like whisky and gin, fresh seafood, shortbread and ice cream. There are dozens of whisky distilleries that you can visit and sample a wee dram, as well as local food markets and seasonal events that take place. 

Whether you’re looking to settle down, raise a family, or enjoy a quieter pace of life, Moray is most definitely a region worth considering.