Culbin Forest

Culbin forest is a coastal forest stretching from Nairn beach eastwards to the village of Findhorn and its bay. Culbin forest covers roughly 3,500 ha and is part of the Culbin Sands, Culbin Forest and Findhorn Bay SSSI.

The history of this area was marked by a large natural event, where a destructive sandstorm in 1694 forced people from their homes and land. The sandstorm itself completely transformed the area from fertile farm land into a desert. Over time, marram grasses were replanted in order to stabalise the sands before the first trees - Scots Pine - were planted in the late 1800s eventually resulting in the large forest seen today.

This diverse pine covered forest contains a number of different tracks that can be explored both on foot or bike. The tracks and trails are perfect for unwinding where the scent of scots pine and the sound of the wind through the trees provide a feeling of relaxation. One of my favourite routes on bike is from the Ministers Pool in Kingsteps to Hill 99 which takes me a little under 1 hour to get there. Notably, Hill 99 offers wonderful views above the pine trees looking out towards the Moray Firth. Culbin forest is also home to many species of wildlife such as red squirrel, roe deer and badgers.