Oak Wood and Quarrelwood, Elgin

Summary

This circular forest trail follows stone markers carved with a human footprint. It leads through the trees to visit the circular ditches and banks that form the remains of a henge 4,000 years old, which may have been used for ceremonies by our ancient ancestors. Look out for forest wildlife including roe deer and red squirrels.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Forest paths; waymarked inconspicuously by stone markers - care needed to keep on the trail (gps makes much easier).

Public Transport

Elgin is well served by buses and trains.

Start

Brumley Brae car park (unsigned). Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.5km / 2.25 miles
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Ascent: 73m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NJ197634

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from the car park off the road up Brumley Brae. Begin the walk from the far end of the car park; do not take the main path past the barrier, instead taking the path that descends to the left from it. When this joins another path at a t-junction, turn left. Almost immediately a series of upright stones and a horizontal one are reached. Turn right from the stones to head down steps.

Stage 2

Turn right at the bottom of the steps to join a path contouring through the woods. It passes near several benches. Fork right near one bench and keep on the main path ahead through the woods. This walk is marked by stones placed beside the path shortly after each junction - carved with a human footprint - but these sometimes take care to spot. Keep ahead on the main path at a further junction, and eventually turn right at a cross-paths - 800m after the standing stones. If you start to approach the A96 road then you've just missed this junction. After taking the turning keep ahead, ignoring paths off to the right.

Stage 3

When a track is reached, keep straight ahead, and ahead again when another track is crossed. Ignore a path off to the right and continue ahead through the now broadleaved woodland. A path goes off left at a orienteering post (marked 15); just beyond this turn right. The marker stones now have a bear print and red waymarker posts (for a walk starting from the Legget car park) heading the opposite way as well as the human footprint for our ancestors trail. Follow the path ahead until it meets what is initially a track; turn right along this.

Stage 4

Eventually a junction is reached with a red waymarked path heading off to the right; you should be able to see the information board along this path. Turn right to head to the panel, which is at the entrance to a large clearing. This is the 4,000 year old henge at the heart of the woods; the ditch and earth ramparts encircling it are still visible in the vegetation.

Stage 5

To continue the walk, turn left at the information panel to follow a path behind it, keeping the henge and then the remains of a drystone dyke on your right. Keep straight ahead near a bench, and then ignore a couple of paths heading off left (leaving the red waymarked route) further on. Eventually the path curves right and descends a little, reaching a crossroads with a clearer path. Turn left here to follow the path straight back to the car park.

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