Findochty (pronounce it Finechty and you'll instantly be in with the locals!) is one of the picturesque little fishing villages which dot the sunny Moray coast in north east Scotland, about 60 miles either way from both Inverness and Aberdeen.
Sea Breeze Cottage is typical of the type of traditional houses you will find in this part of the world, with attractive exterior stonework, solid and built to last and withstand the elements. Just as well, because there is very little between it and the sea - the enclosed back garden leads on to a grassy sward which stretches past a couple of worksheds and goes directly down to the shore. This is like a cove and as it is round a headland from the harbour it is well-nigh exclusive to the small number of houses around it. All this makes the cottage very well placed indeed for a good, old-fashioned family beach holiday. Kayaking is a popular pastime here and there is ample space in the garden for kayaks with generous parking space for either a car or trailer.
Inside, however, the cottage has been brought fully up to date, with efficient oil CH and new windows. The sitting room is snug and comfortable, L- shaped to a dining room, a very well-equipped kitchen with a porch to the garden, ideal for storage and for taking off muddy boots etc, and utility area, and a double bedroom with en suite shower room. Upstairs there is a further twin bedroom, a single bedroom, a bathroom and a play area with TV/DVD, PS2 and CD system.
Findochty has a pub/restaurant, a small supermarket, pharmacy and post office. It also has an attractive harbour and marina and there are excellent coastal walks to both east and west, the nearby cliffs being of particular interest for their seabird colonies. Dolphins can also often be seen in the waters off the coast. Just outside the village is the challenging and scenic links Strathlene Golf Course, where guests at Sea Breeze are entitled to discounted green fees (details in the cottage). There are plenty of other courses, too, along this coast.
Further afield you are only 4 miles from the bustling port of Buckie, where fishing vessels still ply in and out of the harbour and there is even a working shipyard. The town also has a swimming pool and lies at the end of the Speyside Way, another attraction for walkers. It is also conveniently placed for accessing the Whisky Trail with its many opportunities for sampling some of the best amber nectar in the world.
The other charming fishing villages in the area should also be on the visiting list of anyone coming to this area, among them Gardenstown, Crovie and Pennan. At Cullen there is another long beach, off which Minke whales are sometimes seen, and Portsoy has a famous boat festival. However, given Sea Breeze Cottage's excellent position in relation to the beach, chances are you may want to simply relax and let the kids enjoy themselves close to home.
Bed linen, the first £15 of oil-CH and the first £15 of electricity are all INCLUDED in the rental and towels may be hired. Sorry pets are not accepted and smoking is not permitted in the cottage. Wi-fi access is available, subject to provider.
