Elgin Riding/Eating/Drinking.

Proper riding is to be found anywhere south of Grantown-on-spey... Laggan is a bit further down the road. There's some trails in Fochabers, trailforks probably has all those on there for you to peruse.

I've not been up there in a long time, but my favourite place to eat was the pub in Alves... It's now a bit trendier than it used to be, "The Snug"... Can't comment on how good it is now i'm afraid! Skerry Brae (Skerry View), in Lossiemouth, used to be excellent with stunning views.

Elgin is on the flat coastal plain - you won't find the steepness and elevation you find at Golfie.

Fatbike and the beach or some brilliant gravel-ish rides are there aplenty...

There are a few short trails in Quarry Woods - but again I have found that better for a run in an evening than for a decent ride.

Pluscarden forest has some trails - but I have never been.

I rode around Ben Aigen a few weeks ago on the gravel bike - I could see a trail, but I think it is a lap of the hill rather than using the height available.

I have in the past ridden at Moray Monster Trails, but understand that they have become rather overgrown. It is also not that long (maybe just under 8km?) and a fair bit was the winch to the top.

After that you are heading further afield, perhaps Glenlivet but that has more jump lines that steep tech.

Any good places for eating/drinking in the evening?

Qismat Indian on the high street is a welcoming spot and decent curry - a few times I have been the lone solo traveller in there chatting to the waiters!

A few evenings I headed out to Burghead to Bothy Bistro and a wander on the beach, same with Findhorn where the Bakehouse pizza place is ace, and the Crown and Anchor will serve a decent meal. Booking essential for Findhorn or Burghead.

Thanks both.

I'll be with Mrsstu in an evening but on my own in the day while she's doing work stuff.

If the local riding isn't up to much I may give it a swerve.

Monaughty/Pluscarden has some great enduro/DH style trails off the steep south side of Heldon Hill if that's what you're after. Mostly marked up on Trailforks and there's been a few new ones built recently. Quarrel/Oakwoods is worth a look too. Nowhere near as steep as Monaughty, but you also don't plummet through the contours quite so quickly and its rideable from Elgin. Not explored Hill of the Wangie over Dallas way, but have heard it's good too.

Hopefully a local will be along in a moment. Have ridden with a few friendly folk up that way after posting here or the Moray MBC site/groups (if they're still going) but not for a long while.

Glenlivet trails are about an hour’s drive south

The Crown and Anchor in Findhorn is good, particularly the scallops with black pudding

Badenochs for food apparently.

Monaughty worth a ride, Dallas is bigger stuff I believe, but I don't ride there. Oakies at elgin is good fun, but shorter trails.

I've never been to golfie, so can't compare.

Skerry in lossie is good for food (think it's called golf view now), as is the clifton.

Bootleggers Bar and Grill in Hopeman.

Dallas has the tech and steep, I believe there's 3 or 4 trails there now and it's easy to get quick laps in.

It's possible to link up monaughty and pluscarden from Elgin using mostly fireroads if you want a longer pedal.

Check out Against the Grain for drinks and often they have foodie nights but you'd have to check what they have planned.

Cheers all.
Looking a lot more positive now.
I'll come back to this thread when we get there.

As others have said, pluscarden is good for techies trails, and monaughty has some nice bits too. Dallas is good, more dh-ey. If you're happy to drive for an hour, there's tonnes of good stuff around.

There's nothing near elgin with the elevation of  golfie though.