ot THE STORY OF THE MARINA Lossiemouth can be found on the Moray coast some five miles north of Elgin. The town owes its existence to Elgin's need for a port to service its trade. For many centuries this role was fulfilled by Spynie, now only known as home to Spynie Palace. Until the 16th Century the sea came as far inland as the high ground at Spynie, only two miles north of Elgin. A series of storms led to a build up of sand and shingle that blocked the entrance to Loch Spynie, most of the rest of which has now been drained. An alternative port was therefore developed in the mouth of the River Lossie. In 1685, the Elgin burgh council called upon a German engineer, Peter Brauss, to look at the viability of providing a harbour at the mouth of the River Lossie; he decided that a harbour could be established. The first efforts at the beginning of the 18th Century looked to have failed but by 1764, the new jetty had been built at a cost of £1200. More .... The opening of the Railway in 1852 followed by the building of the new harbour in 1860, brought an increase to the population of Lossiemouth. This led to increased fishing. The harbour on the east side of Lossiemouth was extended at the time of the coming of thewhisky export railway link from Elgin and at about the same time the fishing fleet started to move from the river to the harbour. . Lossiemouth harbour continued to be developed, with the addition of a further basin.   More ... The first of the famous 'Zulu' class fishing boats, the 'Nonesuch' was designed and built by a Lossiemouth fisherman in 1879 and after the First World War the first modern seine net vessel was also designed here. A major setback came when the North Pier was washed away in 1936, but it was soon replaced.  More... Both basins are now of course a ninety berth marina, with full onshore facilities for all sizes of yachts and craft. The railway sheds that used to service the harbour have been swept away in favour of harbourside houses and flats. During the summer, the area surrounding the marina is a focal point for tourists, as they gather to watch the coming and going of the yachts. Click thumbnail to enlarge