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We parked in Boat of Garten and took the bus to Grantown, getting off near the Co-op in the Square. From there we crossed over and followed Forest Road which as the name suggests led to the woods, the entrance to which has information panels and is signed for the Speyside Way.
Path through the woods
Perfect for an autumn walk
On reaching the road we turned left along it, passing the rather grand houses of Speybridge and crossed the old bridge over the Spey, which is still impressively wide at this point.
Bridge over the Spey
The mighty Spey - largest semi-natural river in Britain
Once over the bridge we turned right, passing a wooden cottage, then over the A95 and past the entrance to the Speyside Smokehouse before the path took us under the old railway line.
Bountiful crop of rowan berries
Where are the waxwings when you need them? (M's photo)
Under the old railway
This next section follows the line of the railway, with some fancy new metal gates to go through and considering we're on the Speyside Way gives some welcome but surprisingly rare views of the river.
View of the river
We detoured round the farmyard of Balliefurth Farm, which runs a farm butcher's shop in Nethy Bridge. Balliefurth means the homestead of the ferry - this being the spot where folk were ferried across the Spey. We soon arrived at more information boards. I've heard of Mother in Law's Tongue, in the botanical sense, but not Old Wives Tongues. From the board it would seem to be a Scottish folkname for aspen, due to the constant rustling of the leaves reminding the menfolk of the constant chattering of their wives! I'll make no comment about that.
Old Wives Tongues
Potential traffic jam on other side of gate
We had inadvertently taken on a shepherd's role with the flock moving sedately ahead of us and completely blocking the path.
This could take a while
Until they obligingly stood to the side
A peaceful harvest landscape
We're here
With Abernethy golf course on our left we walked into the outskirts of Nethy Bridge, passing the old station which is now a bunkhouse. We were planning a rendezvous with the Nethy House cafe, to use the facilities and have a bowl of soup, but we were out of luck as the cafe is closed on Wednesdays.
Nethy Bridge
A local said we could get takeways from the village shop, but that didn't tick the box for our other requirement. Out on the hills there's not a problem but it doesn't feel right to just 'go behind a bush' this close to habitation! Then we spotted the very conveniently placed Visitor Centre, opened in 2015 for what's known as the 'forest village'. It's worth stepping inside here, not only for the aforesaid facilities but also for the educational displays on what can be found in the area, a rich habitat for species like the endangered capercaille and Scottish wild cat, as well as the crested tit, Scottish crossbill and osprey, the last of which nests at nearby Loch Garten.
Badger on the windowsill
In the 15 minutes we were there two other individuals came in, so although there's no volunteer on duty there was a good sense of the place being well used and cared for. Admission is free but there's a donation box which we were happy to make a contribution to before getting on our way again. We skirted the village green playing field and picked up a broadwalk path to reach the minor road to Loch Garten, which we followed past interesting looking houses in Duackbridge before bearing left on to a path running parallel to the road.
Pond by village green
It's a pleasant woodland path and we were deep in conversation as we ambled along, causing us to miss the words "for a short distance" and the need to watch out for a right turn to cross the road and pick up the path on the other side. In our defence there was no visible sign at this point (we checked on our return after walking half a kilometre too far!) but if we'd been more closely following the instructions we would have been concentrating more on where to cross.
Once back on the right track we were on a broad path through the Abernethy National Nature Reserve, with a left turn at a T junction to continue through pines and passing a wet area good for seeing dragonflies in summer.
Abernethy National Nature Reserve
At this point we had the option of a detour to Loch Garten, which we didn't take. The ospreys would have long gone but I was there in May and saw them then, so here are a couple of photos from that occasion.
Red squirrel by the Osprey Centre
Female osprey incubating eggs (on webcam)
We could see the female with binoculars but the webcam gave a closer view of her on the nest. This female has successfully raised chicks over several years, but the eggs she was sitting on that day sadly didn't make it. Her previous long-standing mate hadn't returned and her new mate was young and inexperienced and failed to bring fish to feed her. So in desperation she had to leave the nest to get a meal and the eggs were left a bit too long and failed to hatch. Here's hoping he's worked out what to do by next spring!
The final part of the walk took us past a couple of ponds, one with a viewing platform, and over the Spey again.
Pond near Boat of Garten
Having missed out in Nethy Bridge we took advantage (once again) of the excellent coffee shop in Boat of Garten which was close to where the car was parked. Being the school mid term holidays it was teeming with mums and children so we had to wait quite a long time to be served and there was only one piece of lemon drizzle cake left - so we shared it. From our previous visit I'd say it's better to come early in the day and when it's not school holidays!
