Forres
Forres
Phone code: +44 (0)1309
Twelve miles west of Elgin is the solid little town of Forres. On Invererne Road is Benromach Distillery, which is on the Malt Whisky Trail. Oct-Mar Mon-Fri 1000-1600; Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 0930-1700; also Sun Jun-Aug 1200-1600. Tel. 675968, www.benromach.com On the eastern edge of town is the 20-ft high Sueno's Stone, one of the most remarkable and important Pictish carved stones in Scotland.
Forres is on the main Aberdeen to Inverness bus route and rail line, and there are regular buses and trains in either direction. Bluebird Buses Nos 310 and 311 run from Elgin to Forres, via Kinloss and Findhorn several times daily (Mon-Sat).There's a Tourist Information Centre at 116 High St, Tel. 672938. Easter-Jun, Sep and Oct Mon-Sat 1000-1300 and 1400-1700; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat till 1800, Sun 1300-1800.
About six miles south of Forres is one of the northeast's best-kept secrets, the very beautiful Randolph's Leap, a spectacular gorge on the River Findhorn which is the perfect place for a picnic, or a swim in the river. To get there, head south on the A940 and just beyond Logie Steading take the right fork (the B9007) for a half a mile. It's on the right side of the road as you head south. It's also worth stopping at Logie Steading, where you can buy good-value arts and crafts. May-Oct daily 1100-1700, weekends from 1200. A few miles west of Forres is Brodie Castle.
Sleeping
There's a surprisingly wide range of accommodation in Forres. Best of the hotels are the excellent Knockomie Hotel, Tel. 673146, overlooking the town on the A940 south to Grantown. Late Rooms Availability for Knockomie Hotel in Forres
And the Ramnee Hotel, Tel. 672410, on Victoria Rd.Late Rooms Availability for Ramnee Hotel in Forres
Both have highly acclaimed restaurants.
A very good small 4 star hotel is the Cluny Bank Hotel. Late Rooms Availability for Cluny Bank Hotel in Forres
Among the many fine guesthouses and B&Bs are Springfield, Tel. 676965, hbain@globalnet.co.uk, on Croft Rd; Sherston House, Tel. 671087, at Hillhead; and Tormhor, Tel. 673837, at 11 High St.