Sanquhar Loch and Nelson Tower, Forres

Forres is blessed with some beautiful pockets of woodland that reach almost into the heart of this fine town. Many of them are explored on this well marked circular that feels like it is much further out in the countryside.

Terrain

Good waymarked paths throughout

Public Transport

Forres is served by buses and trains.

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Start

Victoria Road car park, Forres. Map and directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the Victoria Road car park, just to the east of the centre of town; it is signed for the Nelson Tower. This walk follows a route waymarked by the Forres Footpath Trust with yellow arrows. Begin on the track at the back of the car park with the park on the right, and head up the steps that lead to the left up into the woods. These lead to a track; turn briefly left and then right up some more steps; finally turn left onto the next track which is at a higher level. The track now climbs gently round the eastern slopes of the finely wooded Cluny hill; topped by the memorial Tower, it is a familiar Forres landmark. A visit to the tower is left until the end of the walk. For now, ignore a first path off to the left and then take a very sharp left turn further on - this is well-waymarked. Turn right at the next junction and continue along an avenue of conifers. Soon there is a deep depression to the right of the route - Helgy's Hole.

Stage 2

Keep right, still with Helgy's Hole on the right, near a house, and then reach a cross-roads of routes. Turn left here downhill; it becomes a tarmac lane, with a view of a beautiful house on the left, and emerges on St Leonard's Road. Cross this and take the track opposite. This becomes a path between houses and leads down towards a suburban road; turn left before reaching the road to take a path, initially alongside a wall, that leads into the woods. Follow this as it curves right and descends steps to reach the lovely Mosset Burn. Turn right on the path alongside the burn; it soon opens out and becomes Sanquhar's Loch. Continue to reach a parking area and road.

Stage 3

Turn left along the road, passing the outflow weir. You'll probably find that the ducks and swans on the loch have become used to being fed! Turn left again onto a path before the first house; this climbs above the loch. When it forks, go right, uphill, to join and continue along a track ahead. Go straight ahead when this meets a minor road to enter the Sanquhar Woodlands, owned by a local trust. Keep an eye out for deer on the next section. Ignore a couple of tracks off to the left but take a third left - which is waymarked. This climbs through the trees; take a right turn (marked) at the next junction. The path runs close to the edge of the woods and has good views out across the farmland.

Stage 4

The path leads eventually in a gentle zig-zag down to an impressive wooden footbridge over the Mosset Burn. Cross this and follow the zig-zag up to above the bank on the far side. Now turn left, keeping the drop on your left and a fence on the right, and soon reach the whitewashed Chapelton Farm. Note the old galleried barn on the left side of the path. Pass the farmhouse and then join - and go straight ahead along - a tarred lane. This emerges on St Leonard's Road opposite the lovely architecture of the Leanchoill Hospital. Turn right along the road - there is a walkway alongside and continue until just after the last house on the left. Turn left through the small Council Wood car park, and go straight ahead on the track from the far end, past a plan of the Muiry woodlands.

Stage 5

At a signed junction turn left onto a smaller path. This winds between the Scots pines, eventually reaching a cross-roads of routes; again turn left as signposted, and finally left again at a T-junction. This is an old right of way; continue along it as it gives some good open views to the right towards Findhorn. Keep ahead, passing some houses on the right, to emerge on a road at the cemetery. Turn right and follow the road uphill, passing the undertakers.

Stage 6

Just after a bend to the right between stone walls a signed path goes off to the left. Take this; at the next junction it rejoins the outward route. Turn right here, and then sharp right at the next junction to retrace your steps. The way back is soon signed off to the right. Before taking this turn you could visit Nelson's tower from here by continuing ahead and eventually taking a left turn to climb up to it; commemorating the Battle of Trafalgar, it is open to the public in the summer usually for a couple of hours each afternoon. Otherwise, follow the signs which lead down the two flights of wooden steps to return to the car park.