Nairn to Cawdor by the river, Nairn

Summary

This pleasant linear riverside walk leads from Nairn to Cawdor mostly along the banks of the River Nairn through lovely countryside. Infrequent bus (schooldays and school start and finish times only) links Cawdor to Nairn, check timetables first, or arrange pick up or walk route in both directions - Cawdor has a deli/cafe as well as the Castle.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked riverside path, prone to some flooding/erosion, follow any temporary diversion signs.

Public Transport

Cawdor is served by very infrequent bus from Nairn on schooldays only.

Start

Nairn. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time: 2 hours one way
Ascent: 55m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH883565

Mapping and GPS

Install our App FREE
Download our route descriptions and use offline with GPS mapping

Want to sponsor this route?

Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

The walk is described from Nairn High Street, outside the clock-towered court building. Head up the street (south), soon turning left onto Church Street. After 200 metres take the third turning on the left, this time onto Church Road, following it down to the old cemetery where the original church in Nairn stood for hundreds of years. Pass around the cemetery to the left to gain the banks of the River Nairn, and turn right upstream. The path soon passes under the tall railway bridge. Further on there is a path junction; Jubilee footbridge is on the left, but for this walk continue ahead. The path soon leaves the football pitch area and comes closer to the river once more.

Stage 2

Continue on the riverside path until reaching Firhall bridge, a narrow concrete footbridge. Cross this and then turn right (signed as the riverside path to Cawdor) on the far side to continue upstream. Further on the path climbs up to continue along the top of the wooded river bank, with a fence and farmland on your left. After 1.5km from the bridge the path emerges on a minor road below Howford Bridge. Bear right to reach a junction but don't cross the bridge - go straight ahead onto a grassy path (again signed for Cawdor).

Stage 3

The path soon heads down to the river and crosses a bridge over a stream and then follows a clear route through the trees, veering away from the riverbank for a while. At times the wide river comes into view, the slower bends and pools are popular with fly fisherman. Eventually the path passes through a gap in a fence and continues through thick trees until it reaches Graeme's Pool - named after a keen young angler who died at the age of 14.

Stage 4

Soon a fence near the river is reached where the bank has been eroded, take the newer grassy path inland. Soon pass onto the edge of a field to avoid a very eroded section before returning to the riverside path which now runs along the top of an old grassy flood embankment. Pass through a gate, and go straight ahead when a faint track crosses the route, keeping on the embankment.

Stage 5

Eventually go through another gate. The path returns to the river; this section can be impassable when the river is in very high flood (rough detour to left necessary). At a crossroads of paths keep straight ahead (following the white arrows at each junction) keep right when the path joins a track. At a fork keep right on the track through pine trees.

Stage 6

Soon the confluence of the River Nairn with the Cawdor Burn is reached; here the path bends left to follow the latter upstream. During a very straight section of path look out for the signed turn to the left, this short section of path brings you out in Cawdor. Turn right at the road to visit the Castle, deli/cafe and small centre of the village (with bus stop).

Route Profile

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support Walkhighlands?

Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands.