PRIMROSE BAY, or Clachan Cove as it says on the OS map, is a decent walk from the town of Hopeman on the Moray Firth. When my family and I are on holiday in Findhorn we almost always go there.
When you get to Hopeman, you park the car overlooking
the beach. We put our boots on because you could never walk there in flip-flops. A picnic is good to take because once you are there you will want to stay a while.
You follow a sandy and uneven path which is surrounded by broom. Everything is quite beautiful. Islay, our West Highland Terrier, bounds off after rabbits but she always comes back.
The path takes a steep descent and at the bottom you find your feet on grass. You are at the edge of a golf course. It's only a short walk to the bay now which includes passing a signpost telling you about the area. From there you clamber down to the bay.
When I was last there with my family and some friends and their dad, we ran around the pebble beach to look for driftwood to get a fire going. The beach is very isolated and there is hardly anyone there.
The bay is one big semi-circle. On the one side there is the path from Hopeman and big rocks jutting from the sea. The waves crash violently against them. Right at the back are steep green hills.
Then there is the best part of the beach. The towering cliff has two caves worn into the bottom. The front cave is big, dark and mysterious, so much so I have never reached the back of it. The second cave is my favourite. It goes right through to the other side, leading nowhere but the sea. It has a very low roof (you have to bend down at a few points). It is exciting and inspiring and a true wonder of nature. Primrose Bay has to be seen to be truly appreciated. It is my favourite place.
The full article contains 361 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
