Culbin Sands Forest Findhorn Bay Forres in the Moray Firth, Grampian Region Scotland UK SCO 2034
The Culbin area, covering 28km2, was once considered the 'Granary of Moray'. It supported the Barony of Moray with its Mansion House and beautiful gardens and orchards, several farms, many crofts and the small fishing villages of Nevistoun (near Nairn) and Hill of Findhorn (near Binsness), also according to legend, the original village of Findhorn which lay close to the Old Bar where the river entered the sea - about five miles west of the present village of Findhorn. Reports of the invasive nature of blown sand appear from as early as the year 1100 but the Barony was not overwhelmed until the period 1670-1695, particularly in the Great Sand Drift of 1694. Most of the sand came from the longshore drift which moved beach sand westwards as the bay between Burghhead and Findhorn developed. Fine sand was also washed down the Findhorn and Nairn rivers. Locally the instability of the sand-dunes was aggravated by villagers pulling up the roots of bent, juniper and broom and uprooting the marram grass to thatch their homes. Much has been written about the horrific great sandstorm which overwhelmed everything before it, leaving behind it a landscape reminiscent of the Sahara Desert. However research has shown that, although a sand storm of particular intensity had occurred in the Autumn of 1694, there had been a constant influx of sand for many years and the fertile Granary of Moray had been supporting an ever decreasing number of families over many generations. However the final devastation came very quickly and the once fertile land became a barren desert of ever changing hills (some over 100ft high) and valleys of sand. The scene became one of total desolation. Many stories, the product of naturally curious and superstitious minds, developed. How could such a disaster befall the once wealthy lands and families of Culbin? SCO 2034
Size: 3572px × 5380px
Location: Culbin Sands Forest Findhorn Bay Forres Moray Grampian Region.
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: Yes
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