Lossiemouth is The Riviera of the North – where two stunning beaches, one to the East and one to the West, flank the harbour. Much of this beautiful coast town sits atop a cliff with spectacular views.
The West Beach is dominated by the iconic Covesea Lighthouse and is situated next to Moray Golf Course, while the East meets the town at the mouth of the River Lossie (where the town got its name) and has beautiful sandy beaches and sand dunes that stretch the length of the beach.
Both beaches are havens for visitors and locals to swim, surf or build sandcastles. Lossiemouth’s white-sand beaches stretch as far as the eye can see.
Known to the near 7000 locals as Lossie, the town is quickly growing due to investments in the RAF base and overspill from nearby Elgin, which is also growing apace.
Parallel to the West Beach is the famous Moray Golf Club, a links course steeped in tradition and history with its old course boasting ‘Old Tom Morris’ heritage. The proximity to the RAF airfield means a round of golf there will also be a front-row seat to exciting take-offs and incredibly low landings.
Exploring Lossiemouth
The main road into Lossiemouth is the A941and is a fifteen-minute drive from Elgin town centre. The town is also accessible through the more picturesque coastal route through Hopeman and Burghead. A regular bus service also runs between Lossie and Elgin.
There are many walks around the town that point to the heritage and history of Lossie. Walk around the harbour to see a plethora of beautifully maintained boats where the town’s fishing history can be seen. The harbour itself dates back to 1765.
The beaches are an must see on a visit to Lossie. The West Beach is accessible from the carpark behind Moray Golf Club and the East Beach can now be accessed from the new bridge (built 2022) that connects the sandy shores to Clifton Road. If you are on the east side of town make sure to take a walk along the old railway line where you can, if you are feeling adventurous, walk to Elgin from Lossie. The path dates back to 1852 and is around 5.5 km to walk the full length.
Lossie’s story
Lossiemouth as we know it now is an amalgamation of several ancient fishing villages: Kinneddar, Stotfield, Seatown, and Branderburgh. These villages and other neighbouring coastal communities once sat on a peninsula wedged between the Moray Firth and the Loch Spynie. This large sea loch stretched 11 miles east-west, from Lossie to Burghead. In 1600, shifting sands cut it off from the sea. In the mid-1800s, Thomas Telford engineered it to be drained to the size it is today. All the farmlands surrounding Lossie were once underwater in fact.
The area’s earliest residents were the Picts, over 1000 years ago. Explore nearby coastal caves and see for yourself the marks this civilisation has left behind. Well-trodden paths and sandy beaches make these accessible on foot.
In the Middle Ages, Lossiemouth was an important port: the River Lossie was the main access to Elgin (Elgin was the region’s religious and administrative centre).
After Loch Spynie became inaccessible, the communities began to rely on the sea for their livelihood. Discover more about Lossie’s rich fishing history at the Lossiemouth Fisheries & Community Museum.
Accommodation in Lossiemouth
It is a great location to base yourself on a tour round Moray Speyside and accommodations are aplenty, The popular Silver Sands Leisure Park is perfect placement for walks along the beach and offers a beautiful view to wake up to.
If you are looking for hotels in Lossiemouth you cannot go far wrong with The Stotfield Hotel, The Golf View Hotel or The Firth Hotel. All of which offer on-site restaurants and great seaside views.
Even though Lossiemouth is Moray’s third-largest community, it doesn’t feel busy or bustling and has many peaceful spots for self-reflection, family-fun, or just spending quality time with friends.
Things to do in and around Lossie
Lossie offers adventures and activities on land and sea.
Book North 58 Sea Adventures for an exhilarating, open-sea, marine excursion. Keep your eyes peeled and there is a great chance that you’ll see whales, seals and our famous bottlenose dolphins. Outfit Moray can get you ready for (or facilitate) cycling, climbing, canoeing, paddleboarding, surfing, and kayaking excursions.
If you prefer a more relaxing seaside experience – grab your towel and enjoy a picnic and leisurely dip on the beach.
For golf enthusiasts, Moray Golf Club offers two world class golf courses. They welcome new members and visitors throughout the whole year.
Lossiemouth is also popular with locals as an evening destination – for both food and drinks. Enjoy a micro-brew at Windswept Brewing or an evening meal of fresh local seafood and produce.
There are many great places to eat in Lossie such as the Harbour Lights Cafe & Restaurant which overlooks the marina. In the summer, restaurants are so popular it’s recommended to call ahead or make a reservation.
Useful Links
Lossiemouth Business Association – Information about Lossiemouth and their businesses.
Lossiemouth Marina – Information on Lossie’s harbour for visitors and locals.