A brief interlude on the pristine forest, lush farmland and sweeping-bay coast east of Inverness is a world away from the city-lization of southern Scotland. Many a 1970s visitor from the north brought stories of the Findhorn Foundation and left a lasting impression of wonder, never tempered by the reality of a personal visit. A community where people of democratic and land honouring tendency lived harmonious lives and grew giant vegetables. 2009 was a good time to visit as the community has matured into a sustainable and economically viable hub for community education, living and entertainment.
An orchestra performance on the evening of our arrival attracted residents and visitors from a wide surrounding area. The onsite café was closed by then, so a leisurely 2km stroll led to one of three village pubs offering delicious meals at harbourside tables where long summer evenings can be savoured. A glass or two of cold rose wine wash down Orkney herring, the best fish and chips in the country or wild local salmon fillet and sumptuous helping of fresh salad and veggies.
Walking is very much the activity of choice - through the forest from the community, along miles of sand dunes behind a beach peppered with abandoned WWII concrete bunkers, to the ancient Pictish fort at the village of Burghead.
A notable scrap of history that might explain the high productivity of local farmland is the story of the ‘buried barony’. Just across the bay from Findhorn stands the forest on Culbin Sands. This area was fertile farmland until it was buried by a massive sand storm one night in the mid 1600s. The much altered coastline is an attractive feature today - a thin veil over a tragedy of the past. The local heritage centre holds these and other details of the area's long recorded history.
A more 'modern economy' touch catches my eye in passing (clue = wording on the sign between the boats)
