Spey Bay circuit, Spey Bay

This is a beautiful short walk which follows the Speyside Way at first before crossing the golf course to return along the shore with the chance of spotting the Moray Firth dolphins. A good walk to combine with a visit to the wildlife centre at Spey Bay.

Terrain

Waymarked woodland path, can be very boggy and liable to flood, crosses golf course, sand and pebbly beach.

Public Transport

Daily bus from Fochabers - school days and times only

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Start

Spey Bay car park.. Map and directions.

grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.5km/4 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 5m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NJ348654

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 424 - Buckie
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Start from the car park at the end of the road at Spey Bay where there is a wildlife centre run by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (Apr - end Oct) which is well worth a visit. The large Tugnet Ice House also provides interest - used to store ice to pack salmon landed here before it was sent to market in London and elsewhere. From the car park head back along the road passing the houses. Just after the bend where the Spey Bay Hotel stands look out for a tall concrete building and turn left here following the thistle sign for the Speyside Way. Almost immediately branch right onto a path.

Stage 2

Follow the path as it undulates through gorse bushes and runs alongside a fence. This area can sometimes be very wet or even flooded in winter but is usually passable with care. Keep left to stay in the woods when a faint path forks right to reach the road and keep following the Speyside Way markers. This section in the pine woods sometimes floods in winter, usually there are signed diversions around any problem areas. After a long straight section the path emerges at a farm track.

Stage 3

Turn left here, leaving the Speyside Way to continue inland on its way to Buckie. At a gate bear right towards the golf course. The route now crosses the golf course on a path heading diagonally right. Keep a close eye out for golfers and ensure they have finished their play before crossing and do not disturb the players. Once across the course (aiming for a section of fence near the pebble bank) head straight down the pebbles to the beach.

Stage 4

Turn left to start the return to Spey Bay along the shore. Depending on the tide it may be possible to walk on the sand or keep to the pebbles higher up. As well as keeping an eye out for members of the 130-strong colony of bottle-nose dolphins that patrol the shore, there are also diving and shore birds to spot. Looking back the other way, Buckie can be clearly seen with the shapely hill of the Bin of Cullen to the right.

Stage 5

After a pleasant walk along the shore, the buildings at Spey Bay come into sight and eventually the sand peters out to force you up onto the pebbles. It is worth heading out onto the spit of pebbles where the water from the Spey meets the sea. Otherwise head directly towards the distinctive three turf-domes of the ice house to return to the car park at the start.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.