Raf Lossiemouth
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Raf Lossiemouth
Hello Everyone,
Can anyone tell me what Lossiemouth is like? We are posted there end of June. What are the quarters like and the surrounding area? We don't have children, have two spoilt doggies. I don't drive, what is the local public transport like?
Any information would be gratefully received.
Can anyone tell me what Lossiemouth is like? We are posted there end of June. What are the quarters like and the surrounding area? We don't have children, have two spoilt doggies. I don't drive, what is the local public transport like?
Any information would be gratefully received.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Can you say whether you are officer or airman?
I admit to having been at Lossie for 3 years and never seen any quarters by the base. There used to be some in Elgin but the council may have taken them over by now.
I went into Covesea at least once.
Bleak.
I was however living 30 miles away in Nairn which explains my lack of local knowledge. I suspect however that not driving will be a big drawback as distances up there, and the weather, are quite different. You will enjoy the summer, long evenings watching the midges rise as the sun slowly sets around 11pm.
Come the winter, watching the Sun rise as you have your mid-morning coffee and dark by 4.
I admit to having been at Lossie for 3 years and never seen any quarters by the base. There used to be some in Elgin but the council may have taken them over by now.
I went into Covesea at least once.
Bleak.
I was however living 30 miles away in Nairn which explains my lack of local knowledge. I suspect however that not driving will be a big drawback as distances up there, and the weather, are quite different. You will enjoy the summer, long evenings watching the midges rise as the sun slowly sets around 11pm.
Come the winter, watching the Sun rise as you have your mid-morning coffee and dark by 4.
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: 4 Civvy Street. Nowhere-near-a-base. The Shires.
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Moray is a great place for you and your dogs. Beaches, mountains, forests... marvelous.
Just as well you dont have kids, Lossie High is more like a Borstal, my kids ran away to boarding school in Yorkshire.
There are new quarters opposite the camp gate, and older ones in Elgin (6 miles away), I believe Kinloss was the local DHE office that allocates them. You can google Defence Estates to find the current situaition on quarters.
Buses from Lossie to Elgin are at least hourly if not more frequent.
Living is Lossie is a noisy experience though, and more so if JSF arrives, better to move away from camp - houses are cheap but the Scottish sealed bid system frustrates many English on first aquaintance.
Having spent 12 years there on and off, I'm sure you will enjoy it, as long as you dont mind living 500 miles from your family.
All the best
CS
Just as well you dont have kids, Lossie High is more like a Borstal, my kids ran away to boarding school in Yorkshire.
There are new quarters opposite the camp gate, and older ones in Elgin (6 miles away), I believe Kinloss was the local DHE office that allocates them. You can google Defence Estates to find the current situaition on quarters.
Buses from Lossie to Elgin are at least hourly if not more frequent.
Living is Lossie is a noisy experience though, and more so if JSF arrives, better to move away from camp - houses are cheap but the Scottish sealed bid system frustrates many English on first aquaintance.
Having spent 12 years there on and off, I'm sure you will enjoy it, as long as you dont mind living 500 miles from your family.
All the best
CS
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The canny buyer would have caveatted with "subject to a satisfactory survey and my getting a suitable offer of a mortgage".
The canny vendor will then say "I accept provided you put down a £1000 reservation fee while the house is off the market and you make a final acceptance within 28 days."
I bought my house on that basis from an English couple. He had moved down south and she was left to sell. The deal was done on her doorstep and subject to her husband agreeing; he did and we moved in within 4 weeks.
!I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
550?
She visited once. Magic. Got home just as Mrs MiL arrived, not even got in to the house. Mrs PN heard the phone, went back, came to the door, 'it's for you.'
I took the call, 'scramble', I was still in flying kit, turned round, jumped in car, mission cancelled but when I got home a few hours later, Mrs MiL had gone. Thought I had done it deliberate like. As if
She visited once. Magic. Got home just as Mrs MiL arrived, not even got in to the house. Mrs PN heard the phone, went back, came to the door, 'it's for you.'
I took the call, 'scramble', I was still in flying kit, turned round, jumped in car, mission cancelled but when I got home a few hours later, Mrs MiL had gone. Thought I had done it deliberate like. As if
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I found that the trouble was that you didn't get any holidays.... All leave tended to be spent visiting relatives otherwise they thought that you were "being funny". The area itself is beautiful - especially if you like the big outdoors. There was (25 years ago mid-you when I was there) a big sense of community and the social life circulated about the Sqns - there being few distractions elsewhere. So, if you like big fuel bills (or wearing very thick jumpers) then go for it! As long as the other half is happy as well then you should have a good tour.
W
PS. Get a dog - the walks along the beaches and in the Forests are superb.
PPS. beware if you ride a motorbike - the deer can be very frightning when they pop out at you at night!
W
PS. Get a dog - the walks along the beaches and in the Forests are superb.
PPS. beware if you ride a motorbike - the deer can be very frightning when they pop out at you at night!
Buses to Elgin are actually every 20 mins Mon - Sat but only hourly on Sun. See here. Unfortunately, they do not run along the coast road from Lossie.
http://www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/file40833.pdf
http://www.moray.gov.uk/downloads/file40833.pdf
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Good transport links to Elgin, fantastic beaches and forest walks away from the rat race, not as noisy as you would think (city friends find it quite disconcerting how peaceful it can be), no midges in the East whatsoever (despite what PN said), relatively low crime rate, clean air, airmans qtrs in Lossie, officer's in Elgin built in the last 7-8 years. Good working environment with surprisingly good morale. Good local drinking holes within walking distance of the quarters.
But shhh, its a secret!
But shhh, its a secret!
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Skerry Brae Hotel. A short walk into the village. Order the chicken Fajitas and a pint of whatever real ale they have on. Bliss awaits!
Edited to add: Whatever you do avoid the Beach Bar just along the road from the Skerry. Why, I was there last night and a young man attempted to do pugilism on me with scant provocation! Almost blooded my new strides!
Edited to add: Whatever you do avoid the Beach Bar just along the road from the Skerry. Why, I was there last night and a young man attempted to do pugilism on me with scant provocation! Almost blooded my new strides!
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I know! I know! The little blighters make the West coast unihaboitable from May-Oct though!
Blunty, try the Brander, Clifton, Lossie Inn or Coulie for a hassle free evening. Basically anywhere the rocks don't go and noise up the locals!!
Blunty, try the Brander, Clifton, Lossie Inn or Coulie for a hassle free evening. Basically anywhere the rocks don't go and noise up the locals!!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
What might be mentioned is the train in to Inverness from Elgin. Downside is the station is a fair hop from the main out of town shopping area.
The other things of course will be the language.
As your infant gets ready to go to school "Where's ma piece?"
Or on leaving a shop, "Would you like your messages sent?"
The other things of course will be the language.
As your infant gets ready to go to school "Where's ma piece?"
Or on leaving a shop, "Would you like your messages sent?"
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Griz,
It turns out there were two lads from Elgin who had come to the Beach Bar looking for trouble. Shortly after I left they set about a guy from the base and were caught stamping on his head by the lossie police. They're now in Elgin jail, and he's in hospital. Poor bloke, we're all pretty shaken by it, to be honest!
Blunty.
It turns out there were two lads from Elgin who had come to the Beach Bar looking for trouble. Shortly after I left they set about a guy from the base and were caught stamping on his head by the lossie police. They're now in Elgin jail, and he's in hospital. Poor bloke, we're all pretty shaken by it, to be honest!
Blunty.
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There is a very good cycle track from Elgin to the base, wider than a single track road, parallel to the main road and tarmac the entire length. A bit bracing in winter but an option if you don't have a motor. Concur the bit about the midges, they live on the west coast. If you go there try Avon SkinSoSoft. I know, I know but I've seen the hardest Highlanders swear by the stuff! It bloody well works, I've tried it myself and the damn midges just stayed away. Ideal for sitting outside a west coast bar on a summers evening! Skin So Soft. Avon. Alternative insect and mosquito repellent..
GF - yeah the cycle track is great from the camp gates but from Lossie town itself you're on the main road until the roads join a mile down, not even any footpath! Most other points already said but I reckon the Beach is alright as long as you avoid the more active times of the weekend. Still better than Joanna's though, but what isn't?