Head of Growth, Planning and Climate

About Us

Moray is situated in the northeast of Scotland, bordered by Inverness and the Highlands to the west and Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to the east. It covers an area of 864 square miles, making it the eighth largest council area in Scotland.

The majority of Moray’s population of 96,000 reside in and around the towns of Elgin, Forres, Keith, Buckie, Dufftown, and Lossiemouth, each with its distinct local identity. The presence of Army and RAF personnel stationed at Kinloss Barracks and RAF Lossiemouth significantly impacts the local economy and culture.

Moray benefits from good transport links, with Inverness approximately an hour away (via the A96), Aberdeen around 90 minutes away (via the A96), and Glasgow and Edinburgh about three and a half hours away (via the A9). The nearest airports for domestic and international travel are Inverness Airport (around 45 minutes away) and Aberdeen Airport (a little over an hour’s drive). Moray also has several railway stations on the Inverness to Aberdeen line.

Known as Scotland’s Sunshine Coast, Moray shines with a unique micro-climate, enjoying around 60% less rainfall than the national average thanks to the shelter of the Grampian Mountains. Long summer days and a welcoming community make it a fantastic place to live, work and explore year-round. From the stunning Cairngorms National Park to the dramatic North Sea coastline, Moray offers breathtaking scenery and endless outdoor adventure. It’s also a place of rich flavours from the authentic Cullen Skink to Moray Speyside’s world-famous whisky distilleries, The area blends natural beauty with warm hospitality and vibrant local culture.

Moray faces pockets of inequality and deprivation, and its rural profile can create difficulties in accessing services and economic opportunities, as well as isolation. Considering Moray’s higher-than-average proportion of older people, particularly in rural and coastal areas, providing high-quality public services can be complex and more expensive.

The vision is for Moray to be a place where people prosper, free from poverty and inequality, which means our:

• Young people grow up safe, well-educated and reach their full potential
• People lead healthy lives and have access to quality care when needed
• Businesses and communities prosper
• Natural environment thrives for the betterment of all

See documents below for further information.