Hopeman – A Great Escape
A great reason to visit Carden Cottages is to escape the hectic hustle and bustle of everyday life. A great place to do this in the Moray area is the quaint village of Hopeman.
I love visiting Hopeman’s stunning beach, with family and friends, or even just on my own, to relax, take in the scenery and enjoy the wildlife.
Wildlife Fan? You’ll Love Hopeman
Hopeman is well known for its beautiful beach, along with its exquisite wildlife. From birds like the Curlew, the Oystercatcher and the Yellowhammer soaring above, to Bottlenose dolphins swimming in the sea, it checks all the boxes for fans of wildlife.
The seaside village also proudly presents lots of plaques in the area, informing visitors of it’s rich history. Many of these sit alongside pieces that showcase the village’s relationship with the fishing industry, including the Braemou well and the Hopeman Harbour Crane.
The Braemou well was seen as a holy well, with people travelling from the surrounding area to wash their hands in the holy water. According to the plaque, people have been coming on pilgrimages to the well from Elgin and beyond since the 17th century.
These people would venture by horse or by foot just to drink or wash their hands in the water. They would also leave gifts for the spirit of the well, such as coins, buttons, pebbles or pieces of silk to ensure the potency of the power.
Harbour Crane, Built in 1859
Standing proud by the harbour is the Hopeman Harbour Crane. Built in 1859 by Bowser and Cameron of Glasgow for the Clyde Navigation Trust, the cast and wrought iron crane cost around £102.50 in today’s money. It most likely started its working life at one of the Clyde ports, preparing cargo for shipment to the Western Isles or Worldwide.
It is believed that it was then bought by Wick Harbour Trust around 1880 to be used during the huge seasonal herring fishing. Finally, it was taken to Hopeman in 1925 by a local engineer working in the village and remained operational until the 1970s. In 2012 it was refurbished to become the vibrant stand out piece of history that it is today.
Rich History, Beautiful Scenery, and Fantastic Wildlife All Near Carden
The beautiful village is definitely a must visit during the summer. It has a rich history, beautiful scenery and fantastic wildlife. All of this scenery, wildlife and history can be found at just a 15 minute drive from Carden Cottages.
