The charming Findhorn Village sits on the shores of Findhorn Bay and is immediately south of Moray Firth, just north of the Eco-Village of Findhorn Foundation. This was once a powerful seaport, with Moray Firth as a gateway to the North Sea and points beyond, including Scandinavia and the Baltic ports. Trade from Findhorn ceased when vessels built on a larger scale could no longer navigate into the port’s narrow and shallow entrance. Hence, today’s vessels are only pleasure craft moored in the bay. The village itself is reborn in a new location after the sea inundated the original settlement by the name of Findhorn. The villagers gradually migrated to higher ground one mile south between the late 17th and the early 18th centuries. The buildings in this village are very sturdy and charming since most are made of stone in the traditional style. Henry and I parked the car in the center of the village, next to the Church of Scotland. We then were free to walk throughout the entire village, noting  Findhorn House, c. 1775, and The Royal Findhorn Yacht Club. We eventually stopped for a cup of hot chocolate at the Crown and Anchor, c. 1739, the oldest structure in the village. We also strolled along the shore watching a rowing team practice and dogs playing in the water offshore.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. Findhorn Bay at slack tide with pleasure boats on their moorings. 2. Skiffs on a terrace above the beach at Finhorn Bay. 3. A traditional house in Findhorn. 4. A village house with gate and wall. 5. The Church of Scotland, a solid building facing the Bay of Findhorn, standing near the center of the village. Center, Top: View of Findhorn Village from the edge of Findhorn Bay. Center, Middle: A cupola with clock tops a building in the center of the village. Center, Bottom: The Crown and Anchor, the oldest structure in Findhorn Village, c. 1739.  Right Column: 1. A pair of white painted houses sit side by side  on a stone terrace above the bay. 2. Blue doors, the color of Scotland’s sky, dominate a stone house in the center of town. 3. An example of one of the fine houses in the village.