In The Case of the Ambitious Fishmonger, Culbin Sands was the landing ground in Scotland used by Hugo Bikstein to land his Auster B.4 to pick up poached salmon intended for the London market.
Located between the Moray Firth and the mouth of the Findhorn River, the area is today an area of special scientific interest which is important for wildlife and protected by law. At one time the Culbin Sands was an area of loose sand dunes, the largest dune system in the UK. Beginning in the 20th century, the Forestry Commission began planting coniferous forest in the area leaving a beach. Culbin Sands today refers to the beach while the rest of the area is now known as Culbin Forest.
Mr Sinclair correctly described the area to Biggles as a place which was once among the most fertile farmland in Britain but which had been covered by sand thrown up by a severe storm. The storm took place in 1694 and led to the area being abandoned.
A view of the Culbin Sands. It would have probably been drier and sandier during Biggles' time.