Moray's coastline is among the top 20 most beautiful coastal areas in the world,
according to the international National Geographic magazine.

A world-wide 'destinations rating' survey, voted for by experts and readers, has placed the Moray coastline amongst 99 other iconic coasts, but rated it better than renowned areas such as the Skeleton Coast in Namibia and New Zealand's Great Barrier Island.

The coastline's outstanding cliff scenery and strong community feeling received plaudits from many contributors.

The survey is based on opinions from a panel of 340 experts in sustainable tourism, alongside the views of readers on the locations of the most scenic coastal regions on the planet.

Describing the area as a popular vacation spot for more than a century, the magazine describes the coast as offering "outstanding cliff scenery" whilst maintaining "a strong community feeling." The magazine goes on to describe Moray as 'an undiscovered gem with pretty coastal villages, excellent beaches, and outstanding cliff scenery.' It continues: The area is attractive to walkers, cyclists, wildlife watchers, and surfers. It also offers whale and dolphin watching.'

The full report can be seen on the National Geographic Travel website here.

The images on this page come from our popular August 2012 footsteps walk.