Duff House and the Bridge of Alvah, Banff

Summary

This enjoyable circular walk begins at the magnificent Duff House - now a museum and part of the National Gallery of Scotland - and takes in part of the former estate. The focal point is the 17th century Bridge of Alvah, towering high over the impressive gorge of the River Deveron.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good footpaths and tracks throughout.

Getting there

Start

Duff House car park.

Public Transport

Banff is served by regular buses; Duff House is then a short walk away.

Start Grid Ref

NJ689633

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.5km / 5.25 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 122m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

The walk begins from Duff House car park on the edge of Banff. Although the walk starts along the track on the right of the playing fields (next to the toilets and rugby pavillion), make a short detour first to see the house, built magnificently in the style of a French Chateau; or even better, make a day of it by visiting the house and gallery as well as doing the walk. Back to the walk, and follow the track - signed for woodland walks and Bridge of Alvah, passing the pavilion before reaching the fine Marr gates. Pass through these and continue on the track into the woods (the woodland path on the left is an alternative but keeping to the track at first makes it easier to visit the ice-house).

Stage 2

Keep left when the track forks and soon the ice-house is seen on the left and can be visited down a flight of steps. It acted as a refrigerator for Duff House. From here continue down the steps to meet the woodland walk path, and turn right along this. The route passes through very fine broadleaved woods, keep right when another path heads closer to the River Deveron.

Stage 3

Continue along the path through the woods, eventually reaching the ornate mausoleum, built by the second Earl of Fife to house the remains of his ancestors and descendants. Join the track just above this and head left along it. When it meets another track bear right onto it, and then keep ahead on the main track ignoring two tracks off to the left. Go left before the bungalow, there are now open fields on the right. Continue on the track, eventually with a good view down to the river Deveron, until it reaches a junction where the route forks around a tree. Go left and follow the track downhill.

Stage 4

The track soon crosses the beautiful Bridge of Alvah, high above the river and its dramatic wooded gorge. There are often fisherman far below and the river can be alive with wildlife - watch out for kingfishers. On the far side keep to the track, bearing left at fork and keeping to the main route as it climbs uphill. The track passes just above Moncoffer House and then bears left; the cylindrical stone stump seen off to the right is the remains of a medieval dovecot. The track becomes a minor road below the fine Mains of Moncoffer. After 0.75km keep straight ahead at the junction and almost immediately afterwards turn left onto a track just beyond a cottage. The track passes to the right of a bungalow, and then the main track bends right to another bungalow - keep straight on here on a grassier track.

Stage 5

Keep straight ahead; eventually the track passes through some woodland. After slightly over a kilometre it reaches Gaveney Cottage from where there is an excellent view over towards Banff. Continue straight ahead, now on tarmac, and pass through the modern-looking MacDuff distillery, eventually emerging on the A947.

Stage 6

Turn left and follow the pavement until reaching a major junction. Go left again here, crossing the graceful seven arches of Banff Bridge. On the far side keep ahead on the pavement, with the golf course on the left, until reaching the turning for Duff House. Go left here to return to the car park and the start of the walk.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Gardenstown Hotels

Aberdeenshire B&B

Gardenstown cottages

Aberdeenshire hostels

Glamping and Camping

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