Dallas Dhu and the River Findhorn circuit, Forres

Summary

Beginning from the centre of the fine country town of Forres, this circuit explores some of the town's attractive woodlands en route to the historic distillery of Dallas Dhu. Country lanes then provide a link to reach the banks of the Findhorn River before the route returns to Forres.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Mixed, with woodland footpaths, minor roads, pavements, some rougher sections. The route is waymarked though some markers are missing.

Getting there

Start

Victoria Road car park, Forres.

Public Transport

Forres is served by buses and trains.

Start Grid Ref

NJ042592

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 14km / 8.75 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 94m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Park at the Victoria Road car park, just to the east of the town centre; it is signed for the Nelson Tower. This walk is waymarked in purple by the local footpath trust. Begin by heading along the broad path that starts by the map and info board, passes to the right of the play area and continues along a tree-lined avenue into Grant Park. Further on the path forks - take the narrower left branch that passes behind the pavillion. Before it meets the road turn left to continue along the edge of the park, then turn left again at the far corner to continue with a wall on your right. Finally emerge from the southern end of the park onto St Leonard's Road and turn left along this. Now take the second turning on the right into St Leonard's Drive.

Stage 2

As the road curves right and becomes St Leonard's Court, take the path that begins behind the sign and runs along the left side of the wall. This leads into the woods, and then descends steps to reach the lovely Mosset Burn. Turn right on the path alongside the burn; this soon flows into Sanquhar's Loch. Continue to reach a parking area and road, and turn left along the pavement, passing the outflow weir. Turn left again onto a path before the first house, soon forking right to climb above the loch. When it forks again keep right, uphill, to join and continue along a track ahead. Go straight ahead when this meets a minor road to enter the Sanquhar Woodlands.

Stage 3

Ignore a paths off to the left and look out for a purple arrow on the right and take the path between houses to emerge on a residential street. Continue ahead for a very short distance and turn left after the houses on the left to follow a path past a pond. The open area to the left is known as the Coffin Field. Turn right at the waymarker to head into the trees keeping right at a fork and then continue straight across a path into the woodland ahead. Keep ahead on the path, ignoring the mountain bike trails off to your left and a path off right. Eventually a junction is reached by another MTB sign ('Sanquhar Sanction') - follow the main path as it curves right here, then again as it swings left (with a path joining from the right).

Stage 4

Keep left at another fork, passing to the left of a wooden shelter. The path then descends and reaches a track at a metal barrier. Go right along the track, keeping right at the junction beyond. After 150m turn right to head down steps onto the Dava Way - one the line of an old railway, now a walking route. Turn left along the Dava Way, following it for 800m until Dallas Dhu distillery. Turn right here into the car park of this former distillery, now run as a museum by Historic Scotland.

Stage 5

Leave the car park by the tarmac lane and then turn right when it meets a minor road (signed for Benromach). When the road bends left keep straight ahead on a path through the woods, soon emerging on the road once more - turn right along it. After around 200m turn left onto a minor road signed as a cycle route, then follow this for another 800m until it meets the busy A940 road. Cross with care and continue up the tarmac lane opposite. This bends right at Whiterow, continue along it until just after a pair of single storey cottages then turn left on the track. After 200m this meets another road - turn left along this for 500m to another junction. Now turn right, following the quiet road for another kilometre until just before it meets the main A96. Here turn left by the Give Way sign onto a narrow path down to the river, then turn right along the river bank, passing under the main road bridge.

Stage 6

After 250m bear right away from the river into a parking area of a retail outlet on the A96. Head through this, then turn right along the pavement beside the busy road, following it over the River Findhorn bridge. On the far side turn right onto a track downhill, then right again down steps to gain the river bank, now on the far side. Turn left and walk downstream. The path is good at first, with views over the water, but after passing under a railway bridge it can become somewhat overgrown - if so, there's a track just to the left that runs parallel.

Stage 7

Continue by the river until another bridge, at Broom of Moy. Head up to this, which carries a cycletrack, and turn right to cross the river, which has shifted significantly compared to its position on maps. On the far side turn left along a narrow cycle path. Stay on this cycle path as it curves right, reaching a minor road around 750m from the bridge. Turn right along the road to head back towards Forres. At the road junction on the edge of an industrial estate turn right, signed for Forres. The road has a pavement and curves up onto a bridge over the railway.

Stage 8

At the junction with the main A96 turn left along the pavement. Use the crossing island when it is reached to carefully cross to the far side, then continue on the pavement beyond. Ignore the turning on the right into Forres, continuing along the pavement until just after the bridge over the Mosset Burn, where the pavement ends. Here turn right along a path to meet a quiet backroad in Forres. Go straight ahead - the Mosset Tavern is visible across the green - and continue up to reach the High Street. Now turn left along this attractive main street, passing the fine Tolbooth building. The street eventually leads back to Grant Park and the start of the walk.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Forres & Nairn Hotels

Forres & Nairn B&B

Forres & Nairn cottages

Moray hostels

Glamping and Camping

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