This part of the site contains a wealth of information about Moray - the place, its people and their achievements.
Introduction
Moray is a distinctive and diverse part of north-east Scotland, stretching from the coastline of the Moray Firth to the foothills of the Cairngorms. Positioned between Inverness and Aberdeen, it combines coastal communities, market towns, rural villages, productive farmland, woodland and upland landscapes within a compact and highly recognisable area.
Around 95,000 people live in Moray. Elgin is the main administrative and service centre, supported by towns including Forres, Buckie, Lossiemouth and Keith, and by a network of smaller settlements and rural communities. This mix gives Moray a strong sense of place, with communities that are closely connected to the area’s coast, countryside, heritage and local economy.
Moray’s location offers both opportunities and challenges. The A96 and rail line connect the area with Inverness and Aberdeen, while nearby airports provide wider national and international links. At the same time, the rural nature of many communities means that access to services, transport, digital connectivity and housing can vary across the area.
Moray’s economy is rooted in its natural assets, skills and enterprise. Food and drink, whisky, agriculture, fishing, forestry, tourism, engineering, public services and the defence presence at RAF Lossiemouth all play important roles. These strengths sit alongside shared priorities for community planning partners: tackling inequalities, supporting wellbeing, creating inclusive economic opportunities and helping Moray’s communities to thrive now and in the future.
Follow these links for an introduction to the different areas within Moray: