Speyside Way 2: Fochabers to Craigellachie

Summary

This part of the Speyside Way is on tarmac for much of the day - but there is little traffic on these pleasant, undulating country lanes. After Boat o' Brig there is a more strenuous section up through the forestry before a descent and more lanes lead to Craigellachie.

Please read the WARNING below before setting out on this route.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Long section of minor road, some tracks, shorter path sections. Fair amount of up and down, slightly muddy in places.

Public Transport

Buses to Fochabers and Craigellachie.

Start

Fochabers. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 20km / 12.5 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 490m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NJ345587

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Walk Description

User reports (6)

WARNING

The second half of this stage - through Ben Aigan forest - is closed on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for a car rally, with an official council suspension of access rights. Walkers on the Speyside Way need to contact the organisers on speysidestages@gmail.com to make arrangements on these days.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

Fochabers is an attractive little town with plenty of facilities for walkers, centred on a fine square, dominated by a Georgian church with clocktower. To rejoin the Speyside Way, head up George Street the lane to the right of the church, go straight on at a crossroads and then left onto the path which here runs alongside the Fochabers burn. When a road is met turn right over a bridge and then go straight ahead along a wider road, with the school off to the left. The road meets a small roundabout at the edge of a housing estate; go straight on here through a gate onto a grassy lane, between the school grounds and the houses. When this meets another track turn left and continue until a road is met - now turn right along the road.

Stage 2

The Way now follows this road for 7.5km. Pass the Ordiequish mountain bike trails car park and several groups of houses. Further on there is a short, worthwhile detour from the small car park signed 'Earth Pillars' on the right - a loop path from here off to the right leads through some Scots Pines to a fine elevated viewpoint looking upriver along the Spey. Return to the road which soon makes a steep descent and switch-back climb.

Stage 3

Thankfully the road levels off once more for a long section with forestry on the left and more open views across the strath on the right. Keep straight on at a junction, and eventually the road heads down another series of hairpin bends. Just after a picturesque cottage on the left the road leads under the railway to reach a car park beside the Boat o' Brig. Turn right along the busy road very briefly and then left up some steps just before a building which was once a tollhouse (do not cross the bridge). The path climbs up to meet a track. Turn left here and then sharp right at the next junction, all well signed. A grassy lane now leads up towards Bridgeton Farm, with good views over the Spey down to the right. When a gate is reached follow the main lane which turns left, avoiding the farm, and then turn left again when another track is reached at a t-junction.

Stage 4

The track passes the derelict Bridgeton Cottages; turn right at the next junction, soon heading through a gate with a forestry sign for Ben Aigan. Turn right at another junction (where the main track heads into a rifle range) and follow a sometimes muddy path that runs along the bottom edge of the trees with good open views towards the Spey, before eventually entering the forest. It swings left uphill and eventually climbs steeply to meet a hard forest track. Turn right along this, now rising more gently until a picnic table is met at the high point of this section.

Stage 5

Continue along the track, now very gradually losing height. Above the Red Sheugh burn there is a short signed detour on the right to a picnic table with a more open view. Ignore a path off to the left (which leads eventually up to Ben Aigan) and instead take the next forest track that heads off to the right. This gives views towards Rothes as it descents to eventually meet a minor road. Turn left along the tarmac; this road is even quieter than that used earlier in the day. After just under 2km there are views of Arndilly House on the right, a Palladian mansion which was once the home of the chief of Clan Menzies.

Stage 6

Continue along the road through very attractive woodland, crossing the Bridge of Arndilly and MacDowall bridge. Ignore a road branching off to the left and continue ahead, emerging on the busy A95 at the Bridge of Fiddich. Carefully cross the road and the bridge and just a little further on take a left to the Allachie park parking area in Craigellachie where the stage ends. There are several places to stay in the village, or alternatively you could continue onto the next stage as far as Aberlour.

Next stage: Craigellachie to Ballindalloch

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