North Sea breeze

A festive catch-up with our Elgin cousins takes us an hour north of Aviemore to the Moray coast. We have a family tradition of meeting and walking along the beach at Lossiemouth, a stunning stretch of sand backed by high dunes. Lossiemouth was once an important fishing town, though now it's better known for its RAF operating base. 

Clan gathering

The weather is always milder here due to the Gulf Stream, and as we step out along the sandy shore the deep snow of Boxing Day feels a world away. 

Enjoying milder weather up north

The beach east of the old harbour is about three miles long and looking out to sea, I realise that the next port of call must be Norway. The only sight to interrupt the view is the odd container ship crossing the horizon.

Next stop Norway

The recent assault of Storm Frank has thrown up all sorts of flotsam, as well as interesting pieces of driftwood. We discover that one creative local has collected a bundle and fashioned into beachfront art. 

Study in flotsam