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 forestry and then a road descent to Craigellachie, particularly good for autumn colour.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

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

Getting there

Start

Fochabers.

Public Transport

Buses to Fochabers and Craigellachie.

Start Grid Ref

NJ345587

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Services

Fochabers is a small town but still with shops and a choice of places to eat and stay. Craigellachie has a hotel, inn and a bed and breakfast.

Walk Statistics

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

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Walk Description

User reports (6)

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 road to the right of the church, go straight on at a crossroads and then left onto the path which runs alongside the Fochabers burn. 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 onto a grassy lane, between the school grounds and the houses. When this meets another track turn left and continue until a road and turn right past houses.

Stage 2

The Speyside Way now follows this road for 7.5km. Pass the Ordiequish mountain bike trails car park. Further on there is a short (0.5km total), worthwhile detour from the small car park signed 'Earth Pillars' on the right for a great view over the River Spey. To take this follow the path and keep left at a fork to soon reach the viewpoint. Return to the road which soon makes a steep descent and even steeper climb on the far side.

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 the road at the Boat o' Brig. Turn right very briefly and cross the road to take the steps to the left of the 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. A grassy, sometimes muddy, lane 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.

Stage 5

Continue along the track, now very gradually losing height. 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 (toilets here are now closed but there are some in the village) 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

Route Profile

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