Dunphail to Forres – Dava Way

Date/Time

Date(s) - 03/03/2019
9:00 am - 7:00 pm

Walk Details

Pub Stop?: No
O/S Map Sheet No.: 27
Grid Ref. Start: 015481
Grid Ref. Finish 043593
Walk (Miles): 9
Walk Hours: 5
Bus Time to Walk:2.5 hrs
Bus Time from Walk: 2.5 hrs
Departure time from walk: 4:30 pm

Walk Notes

Link to Full Album

O.S.Map 27 (Nairn).

N.B. 9.00am start from Aberdeen.

The walk today sees your Club on part of the Dava Way. This 37km (23 miles) waymarked path links the Morayshire coastal town of Forres with Grantown-on-Spey in the Cairngorm National Park. It mostly follows the flattish route of the dismantled 166km Highland Railway Line which ran from Forres to Dunkeld in Perthshire and was opened as a long distance path in 2005.

This walk is a through one, so members who require a shorter, or different walk – please indicate your intentions with your committee member in charge of the bus.

The walk commences at Dunphail on the A940 (NGR 015 481) where we follow the Dava Way N’wards on the dismantled railway line. The way passes under a bridge carrying the Half Divoch moor road. There are many gates on this section as the way passes through grazing land, but your route keeps straight ahead on the railway line, ignoring tracks on both sides. Pass under the Peathillock Bridge and continue along the line towards Forres. After about four kilometres, your route passes into Cowgreens Wood. Follow the waymarkers and cross a minor road and then an iron bridge over the Altyre Burn. Further on, pass under the Scurrypool Bridge and leave the way, just beyond at Squirrel Neuk Bridge, using steps to your left. Cross over the bridge and follow the track on you left. This detour avoids a sometimes waterlogged section. Pass through a gate and fork left before reaching a house. Eventually, another waymarked turn leads back to the rail line. The way now runs along an embankment and crosses a bridge over the Rafford Road. Continue straight across a farm track. On the left can be seen Dallas Dhu distillery which was closed in 1983 but was taken over by Historic Scotland in 1988 as a visitor attraction. At end of track at the edge of Forres (about 1.5 miles from town centre) take the ramp into Mannachie Avenue, turn right into Mannachie Rise as it bends left. Follow footpath to end of the cul de sac to emerge onto Loch View. Then take 2nd left to Sanquhar Road. Continue along Sanquhar Road & at the roundabout take South Street exit; follow it onto High Street. Turn right at High Street; continue to Victoria Road where Grant Park is on your right at GR 043593 (next to Police Station) where the bus will be conveniently parked.

Walking distance approx. 9 miles

Bus departs at 4.30pm.

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge of the outing should be contacted, if possible, before the police are contacted.

Relevant telephone number for Grampian police is 999.

Committee member in charge today is Gilbert McCurdy

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