This short walk from Beauly visits the ruins of the Priory before heading around the meander in the river.
Formal paths, tarmac lane, narrow path near river, then field edges.
Beauly is served by buses and trains.
Beauly square.
There is parking in the square at the centre of Beauly, which has a range of shops and a fine deli / cafe. According to legend, the village got its name after Mary Queen of Scots visited and said "C'est un beau lieu" (what a beautiful place in her native French). Begin the walk by visiting the ruins of their Priory which are free to visit at the north end of the square. It was founded in 1230 by monks of the Valliscaulian order. There are some fine carved graves within.
Return back to the abbey gates by the square and turn left, following a path passed some houses to reach the river. Turn right along the road between the river and housing estate. When the road bends right turn left onto a tarmac lane. Pass around a gate and continue along the narrow lane, with occasional views over the river to the left.
After around 300m take a narrow but clear path on the left. Although it keeps a little nearer the river, it is mostly separated from it by marshland dotted with willow trees. It follows the curve of the river to the right.
Eventually the path emerges at the end of the lane you turned off; at this point there are much better river views. For the easiest walk, you can turn right along the lane to head back to Beauly.
If you don't mind things being slightly rougher, you can continue on the riverside path. After another 250m it leaves the river and takes to the field edge. Depending on the crops this may change, but there's usually a clear path on the inside field boundary worn by local dogwalkers. This comes close to the houses before following the field edge round to the right to rejoin the outward route at the tarmac lane. Turn left here along the lane, then keeping straight on in Beauly to return to the square.
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