Category: Moray Way Artist in Residence

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 …

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 …

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 …

My walk from Hopeman to Clashach Cove, also known as Primrose Bay, was to explore the cliffs and caves. So following the National Trusts advice, I had decided to explore the caves with a responsible adult (my dad) and an extra adult who insisted that they were needed to look after my responsible adult (they …

The path between east Burghead to Hopeman follows the old coastal railway track. The well- maintained route has a flat levelled surface making it accessible to all. The people come and go from both directions as it’s used regularly by both villages. The main hazard on the route for me, was being frightened by bicycle …

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 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 …

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 …

My next stop along the Moray Coast was the sheltered estuary of Findhorn Bay. I seemed to be the only person walking along the bay, and I thought it was a peaceful place to stop. Yet, the longer I sat and listened, the noisier it got. The distant sound of the sea and the wind …

Walking towards Findhorn, I saw a sign for Kinloss Abbey and wondered, did it have a graveyard? Curiously, I headed in that direction. Within the Abbey grounds was an information board discussing the history and architectural design. It revealed its story of a place founded in 1150 by King David I and colonised by Cistercian …

Don’t Over-Think Before planning my walk, I was constantly overthinking what direction my walk would take. I will be starting at Forres, but will I walk the Dava Way or the Moray Coastal Path first? Over the past coming days, I changed my mind constantly between the two directions, weighing up the pros and cons. …

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 …

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 …