The Speyside Way
Kinross House is ideally
located on the Speyside Way which is one of
four official Long Distance Routes in Scotland (the others are the West Highland Way,
the Southern Upland Way and the Great Glen Way). It was first opened in 1981, to run from
Spey Bay to Ballindalloch, with a spur to Tomintoul being added in 1990. A
northern extension from Spey Bay to Buckie followed in 1999, with the route
finally being completed between Ballindalloch and Aviemore in April 2000. The
route now links the Moray
coast with the edge of the Grampian Mountains, generally following the valley
of the River Spey. The Speyside Way is jointly managed by the Moray Council
and the Highland Council and substantially funded by Scottish Natural Heritage.
The Speyside Way Ranger Service, based in Craigellachie, covers all of the route. For an overview of Long Distance Trails
in the rest of Britain and Europe, follow these links:- Long Distance Walkers Association
and
Epaths
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News Date 14th
October 2004
Press release (below) from the Cairngorms National Park Board
announces a Pubilc Consultation on a 'Preferred Route' to
take the Speyside Way on from Aviemore to Newtonmore.
SPEYSIDE
WAY EXTENSION - CNPA BOARD CHARTS WAY FORWARD
The Board of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) has agreed to
consult widely on the preferred route for extending the Speyside Way from
Aviemore to Newtonmore.
At a meeting of the Board on Friday (8 October) at the Victory Hall in
Aboyne, members accepted the recommendation made by Kristin Scott, the CNPA
' s Senior Access Officer on behalf of the Speyside Way Management Group.
The preferred option extends the Speyside Way from its current terminus in
Aviemore, following a route to the west side of the A9, skirting round
Craigellachie and continuing along an area of moorland overlooking Loch
Alvie. From here the route goes under the A9 to the Dalraddy Caravan Park
and onto the existing Badenoch Way to Kincraig and thence towards
Feshiebridge.
Thereafter the preferred route follows Forestry Commission tracks towards
Insh where the Badenoch Way is rejoined, passing Invertromie and then
following fields to Ruthven Farmhouse. There is then a short walk along the
B970 to cross the River Spey , regaining a path
towards Kingussie, with the final stretch utilising the existing Sustrans
route which links Kingussie and Newtonmore.
Although this consultation will not preclude consideration of alternative
routes, the proposal to consult over a single preferred route follows
months of research into the various route options, which was
carried out by the Speyside Way Development Officer, Alistair MacLeod.
During Mr MacLeod> '> s four-month contract he contacted 18 different
landowners and occupiers, community councils, development trusts, various
user-groups and other interested parties.
Speaking at the meeting, Kristin Scott outlined to members the reason for
this particular recommendation.
"A total of 15 different routes were identified and investigated. They
were evaluated by means of scoring each one against a set of criteria which
included the quality of the recreational experience, social and economic
benefits, interference with existing land management regimes and areas of
environmental sensitivity," she said.
" Using these criteria, combined with the
local and specialist knowledge of the Speyside Way Management Group, it has
been possible to identify this as our preferred line. It should therefore
form the basis of a consultation involving all those with an interest,
including landowners, land managers, tenant farmers, community councils,
local footpath groups and so on. The consultation would aim to gauge the
level of public support for the line of the route itself, and also for the
rationale behind our thinking."
It was also agreed at the meeting that the CNPA, on behalf of the partners
of the Speyside Way Management Group, would lead the consultation exercise
on the preferred route.
Sheena Slimon, CNPA Board Member fully agreed with the recommendations
made. She said: " I think this is a good
option for the final stretch of the route which will take the Speyside Way
into Newtonmore. If there is sufficient support for this route following
the consultation, which will last from November to Februa ry 2005, the CNPA
can then start detailed negotiations with landowners and land managers.
"After that, we can study the costs and staff will be able to identify
a suitable funding package. Then, and only then, can we make a firm
proposal on the extension of the Speyside Way."
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The
Route
The map
shows the extent of the route from Buckie to Aviemore, with spurs to Dufftown
and Tomintoul, a total distance of 84 miles (135km)
The Speyside Way is
primarily intended as a walking route, and 5 - 7 days should be allowed for
your trip (more if you intend visiting the many distilleries
and other attractions along the wayside!) We recommend that you start at the
north end, where the going is easiest, and make your way south towards the
hills. Leaving Buckie (Buckpool harbour) the route follows the shore to Portgordon, then by old railway and forest path to Speybay, at the mouth of the river. The route then passes
the Tugnet Ice House and from there to Fochabers (5m/8km)
follows riverside tracks. From Fochabers to Boat o' Brig (5m/8km) walking is on a very minor tarred
road. Boat o' Brig to Craigellachie (8m/13km) too has some tarred road (at
the Craigellachie end of the section), but most of this stage is over forest
roads as it climbs round the shoulder of Ben Aigen through the Craigellachie Forest. At Craigellachie, the trackbed of
the former Strathspey Railway is joined, and you have the choice of turning
SE towards Dufftown at the end of the 'spur' which runs up the valley of the Fiddich, or continuing south on the old railway through Aberlour and Carron towards Blacksboat and Ballindalloch. From Ballindalloch, don't miss out on the
opportunity to tackle the 15m/24km spur to Tomintoul, a route which rises
twice to 1800ft/550m, giving superb views over the hills and farmland of upper Moray and into the heart of the Cairngorms. It is possible, however, to break this part
of your journey at Glenlivet (7m/11km from Ballindalloch). If you choose your
accommodation carefully in Tomintoul, it should be possible to get a lift
back to Ballindalloch to continue your journey next day. From here, a further
short section on old railway is followed by a rougher stretch through the Tulchan Estate - strong and waterproof footwear is
essential!
The railway is rejoined
at Pollowick, and followed into Cromdale, where the Spey is
recrossed via the road bridge, and from where forest tracks take you into
Grantown-on-Spey. An old military road takes you back to the Spey again, and
a crossing via a lovely old bridge, now retired from the stresses of modern
traffic. After crossing the A95 again, it's back to old railway to Nethy Bridge, then through the RSPB's Abernethy reserve towards Boat of Garten. From Boat of
Garten to Aviemore, you will have the Strathspey Steam Railway for company as
you traverse birch woodland, heather moor and pine wood. The Way then enters Aviemore along the village's 'Orbital Footpath', and
finishes at the car park by the Police Station.
Though all of the
Speyside Way is classed as easy walking, and is well waymarked throughout, it is important to remember that
the weather in Scotland is very unpredictable, and that on a bad day (even in
summer) conditions on the higher sections may be hostile. Good footwear,
effective waterproofs and good planning are necessary.
Further Route Information
A free
accommodation and basic information leaflet is also available from the Ranger
Service, and from TICs.
Cycling on the Speyside Way
Bicycles are allowed to
use the Speyside Way between Fochabers and Ballindalloch, between
Craigellachie and Dufftown, and between Nethybridge and Aviemore. Between
Boat of Garten and Aviemore, the route is shared with a section of the
SUSTRANS millennium cycle way. Bicycles are NOT allowed to use the 'off road'
sections between Ballindalloch and Tomintoul, NOR between
Ballindalloch and Cromdale. Between Fochabers and Spey Bay, please cycle on
the public road (B9104), and between Ballindalloch (Delnapot) and Cromdale
use the B9102. Cyclists are asked to ensure that they use the route in a way
which does not cause damage to the track surface, or cause inconvenience or
danger to users on foot or horseback. A Code of Conduct applies.
Horseriding on the Speyside Way
Horses are permitted on
the Speyside Way between Dufftown and Ballindalloch (ie the old railway
line). Riders must be prepared to negotiate fords in two places, and a number
of low, single rail stiles. Limited parking for horseboxes is available at
Craigellachie and Ballindalloch. Large groups of riders should contact the
Ranger in advance. Again, a Code of Conduct applies.
Public Transport.
There are railway
stations in Elgin and Aviemore from where connections can be made to the rest
of the UK. The Edinburgh/Glasgow bus service passes through Aviemore. Buses
also connect Elgin with Aberdeen and Inverness, and from Elgin there is a
regular service to Aberlour, Craigellachie and Dufftown. South of Aberlour,
however, services are much less frequent, and
getting to and from Tomintoul by bus requires more perseverance and the help
of some local knowledge! There is a local (infrequent) bus service linking
Aviemore with Grantown on Spey and Ballindalloch. For more information, see
our Public Transport Guide
Dogs
Dogs under close control
are welcome on most of the route, but because of the likelihood of
encountering livestock, DO NOT take your dog on the section between
Ballindalloch and Cromdale. This is for your own safety, and that of your
dog. Cattle, whilst ignoring humans themselves, will readily chase their
canine companions, and this can be very alarming and dangerous. (If there is
no alternative to taking your dog on holiday with you, you can at a pinch
bypass this section by following the B9102 from Delnapot to Cromdale) On all
other parts of the route if your dog should foul the path, please take a
minute to clear up the mess.
Accommodation
An accommodation list is published by The Speyside Way (and
is available from the Ranger Service) to help you with your plans. Please
note that several of the accommodation providers will transport you to and
from prearranged locations - this is very useful if you plan a break in your
journey where no accommodation is available. See also the list of campsites available.
