Dufftown, Craigellachie and Aberlour circuit

Follow an off-shoot of the Speyside Way along an old railway from Dufftown to Craigellachie, to turn south along the Spey to Aberlour, before climbing over moor, forest and farmland.

Terrain

Disused railway path, streets, clear paths and forest tracks. One steady climb from Aberlour.

Public Transport

Bus to Dufftown.

Start

Dufftown square. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 20km / 12.5 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 315m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NJ323399

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Walk Description

Stage 1

From the Clocktower in the square at the centre of Dufftown, start the walk by heading down Balvenie Street. Turn right at the Post Office onto Albert Place, and then left onto Tomnamuidh Road. When this curves right go straight ahead beside the postbox onto a path between fields. This soon leads into a wood; go straight ahead through the trees. When the main path forks go left to emerge from the wood with a superb view of Balvenie Castle ahead. Continue down the field and round the house on the right to reach the castle, which dates back to the 1200s and is now a visitor attraction managed by Historic Scotland. Follow the tarmac road that heads left and then downhill.

Stage 2

At the bottom of the hill turn left and pass the Glenfiddich Distillery visitor centre. Turn right at the main road beyond, and then right again just past the entrance to the Dufftown and Keith Railway, and head left along the platform. Soon cross a road where there is parking and a picnic area and continue along the old railway which forms an off-shoot of the Speyside Way and part of the Isla Way which links Dufftown to Keith. Pass the back of houses and to the right of the Balvenie distillery building. Go through the gate and continue through woodland.

Stage 3

The route to Craigellachie is uneventful, passing through a mixture of woodland and open countryside. Keep straight on when the Isla Way leaves to the right. In two places, landslides have reduced the width of the path and care needs to be taken as the path is liable to further collapses. Pass a bench with a good view over River Fiddich. After a bend the route crosses this river and stays on the old railway line.

Stage 4

After crossing the river again, the route reaches Craigellachie at a park where there are toilets. To visit Craigellachie which has a shop and two hotels go up the road to the left or stay on the path to take a path later on. Follow the sign for Aberlour on the Speyside Way proper passing the noticeboard. Go under the road and past a gate and soon the path runs along the Spey where fishermen can often be seen in the water.

Stage 5

There is a path to Craigellachie to the left past the Highlander Inn and also one up to the Craigellachie Hotel a little further on. The path curves round through an underpass and passes through open farmland, with a tunnel on this section. Where a track leads down to a fishing hut on the right continue straight ahead. On the outskirts of Aberlour follow the path behind houses to reach a park. Take the path to the left which leads to the old station, now a cafe and information centre. Turn to the left just before the old station to pass the church and square.

Stage 6

Aberlour has plenty of shops and cafes. Cross the main street and take Queen's Road to pass the hospital on the right and continue uphill on Chapel Terrace. Part way up turn left along Allachie Drive and continue straight ahead ignoring the paths heading uphill. Keep following the road which bends right and heads uphill. When it levels off keep left, ignoring the track to the right. The road climbs again and at a junction turn right following the sign for Dufftown. At the next junction keep straight on through the pedestrian gate to follow a forestry track.

Stage 7

At a crossroads go straight ahead onto a narrower path, following the signs until the forest is replaced by moorland. The path then snakes through trees and then down a grassy path with views of Dufftown ahead. At the bottom of the hill go straight across a track, and soon across another track to follow a grassy route between fenced fields. Bear left downhill when a track is reached and after a gateway keep right and cross a small bridge next to a ford to follow the track past a farm all the way to the metalled road. Go straight ahead until Balvenie Road is reached. Turn right here to follow this main street back to the Clock Tower in the centre of Dufftown.

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