Category: Artist in Residence 2022

The Moray Coastal Route from Findhorn to Burghead follows a path adjacent to the beach, however, the lure of the sand and sea makes a walk along the beach an excellent option. I had planned an early start as I did not want to walk against the tide. My reward was atmospheric dawn where the …

The 10-mile walk from Ballindalloch to Cromdale is not always an easy one. The Speyside way organisation describes this walk as the hardest section of the route. And, I agree, especially as there was heavy rain the day before my walk. The paths had become water-logged, and sometimes a cow encounter can be a wee …

My next walk began at the old Aberlour railway station, also known as the Speyside Visitors Centre. I wandered past the play park, and on my right, I saw a bathtub in a field. This was my first sighting of many bathtubs that I noticed, on the way to Carron. It’s not an unusual thing to …

A good question, but the name Boat o’ Brig is not a contradiction. In the past, there have been a few bridges here. These bridges were destroyed, replaced by boats that ferried travellers between riverbanks, and new bridges were re-built. There are two bridges at Boat o’ Brig, a road bridge and a railway bridge …

Burghead is named after the old Norse word ‘borg’ and it’s a fort on a rocky seaward peninsulaI. I walked from the west beach around the town and to me, the place felt a bit of a mystery. For example, the west side was calm, quiet and sheltered from the wind. Yet, the town juts …

I saw the white tower of the Covesea Lighthouse stand high against a grey sky. I slowly walked towards the tower and listen to the blustery wind and the sound of crashing waves. Each gust seems to cry freedom in a chorus of light rain. I had a pre-arranged visit to the lighthouse and I …

The last section of my walk on the Moray Way was from Calashdhu to Forres. It’s a relatively easy walk through forest, farmland, and town. I walked with some members of the Moray Way Association and the artist Norma Hunter. Norma is the new artist in residence for the Moray Way Association, and it seemed …

Walking is a repetitive movement that creates a natural rhythm. So, when I walk, I feel my heartbeat and the pace of my footsteps upon gravel and grass. I listen to my body breathe in and out. I hear the wind howls above the cliff path and sea birds shrieking in the rain. The repetition …

Heading towards Lossiemouth, I wandered down a sandy path to the beach. The wind had picked up slightly and, the sand shifted in sheets along the bay. I saw a wrecked boat at the foot of the rocks and wondered, where had it set sail? I imagined a lively lady with a wild tale to …

Sound artist, Lise Olsen has been appointed the Moray Way Artist in Residence. Over the coming year, she will be blogging her experience as she navigates the 100mile circular route. She will walk, observe, record, and document her experience as she explores the trails that make up the Moray Way. The journey will begin at …

My walk on the Dava Way section of the Moray Way began at Seafield Avenue in Grantown-on-Spey. The route is 23 miles and follows the old Highland Railway line to Forres. I followed the road passed the caravan park, where I climbed up the steps onto the railway embankment. The pathway is elevated and gives …

26 July 2021 I had a pleasant drive up the A9, making one short stop at the Grantown Museum to see an exhibition about the Dava Moor, before making my way towards Elgin. After settling in at my accommodation, I wanted space to think about my 100mile Journey along the Moray Way. I had heard that …

I decided to take a slight detour and leave the Dava way and walk down a steep bank to seek out Huntly’s Cave, also known as Lord Huntly’s Cave. The legendary location of the rock face, cave, ravine, and stream was the hiding place of George Gordon. An information board described how he apparently, hid …

I like to walk slowly and observe the tiniest detail. This allows me to see amazing scenery and many unexpected sighting of wildlife along the Moray Coast. I listen to my steps upon the earth and I often get distracted. However, this distraction has got a lot worse since I met a lovely lady from …

Every town has its unique acoustic environment and this sound changes depending on the time of day. During the summer, I spent some time recording the sound of Lossiemouth. The recordings were collected during the long summer days and seemed to capture the post-pandemic phenomena of the staycation. The town was busy with a mix …

The sky was bright, but it was a cold and damp day when I decided to walk the path from Craigellachie to Aberlour. This is an easy walk, around 4-miles there and back (it’s also suitable for bikes as it follows the old railway line). I walked passed the historic Telford Bridge on my right …

Tales o Fowk & Water Beasties is a soundwalk and storytelling event. It shares the myths and legends surrounding the historic town of Charleston of Aberlour. The event invited people to listen to local stories on headsets during a slow-guided walk. The walk followed a circular route that drifted between the Parish Church and the …

My walk began at the Dava junction, where the ward boundaries of Highland and Moray meet. The junction is also where the A940 to Forres begins. I wandered through woodland and was eventually rewarded by the views of the Dava Moor. It is my favourite part of the Dava Way. The landscape is dramatic, with …