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Home> Walks> Speyside Way: Craigellachie to Carron

Speyside Way: Craigellachie to Carron

Recommended by
Our view
"Along the riverside railway"
Walk directions

From here to Ballindalloch, the Speyside Way follows the track bed of the former Strathspey Railway (illustrating the Speyside/Strathspey point!). From Fiddich Park, the railbed path starts off under a road bridge to reach the riverside at Craigellachie, a popular centre for fishermen. A signed path to the right would take you to Telford's bridge; the main path ahead passes under two more roads.

Between Craigellachie and Aberlour the path goes through the only tunnel on the line. It is a short affair some 150yds (135m) long with clear visibility. The railbed continues more or less beside the river, with the A95 close by to the left, to enter Aberlour. The route passes behind houses, then diverts off the railway to the nearby riverside path.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Wide, smooth railbed path, no stiles
  Landscape  - Wooded riversides and fields
  Dog friendliness  - Good
  Parking  - Fiddich Park & Ben Aigan Car Park
  Toilets en route  - Fiddich Park and Aberlour Station Visitor Centre
About the walk
Craig Ailichidh, the original Gaelic spelling, means ‘strong rock’. The frowning cliff on the west side of the river serves to enhance the appearance of the graceful iron bridge below it. Craigellachie should not be left without making the short diversion to see Telford’s bridge over the Spey. ...
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About the area
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Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
The Station Hotel
★★★★
awardaward
"An impressive building with an even more impressive whisky bar...."
  • Family rooms: 1
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
Caravan & Camping
Huntly Castle Caravan Park
★★★★★
award
"Quality holiday park close to Speyside's Malt Whisky Trail...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Wifi available
  • Calor Gas
Bed & Breakfast
Kintrae Bed and Breakfast
★★★★
awardawardaward
"A cosy stay in the heart of Buckie...."
  • DVD Player
  • Wifi
  • Chargers tethered
Nearby places to stay
The Station Hotel
Located at the heart of Speyside, the Station Hotel dates back to 1901 and is a perfect base for touring the numerous distilleries of the area. The 15 Rooms and Suites are modern and we...
★★★★    Rating
Huntly Castle Caravan Park
A quality parkland site within striking distance of the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail, the beautiful Moray coast and the Cairngorm Mountains. The park provides exceptional toilet facilitie...
★★★★★    Rating
Kintrae Bed and Breakfast
Kintrae B&B and sits in the heart of Buckie, with views out to the Moray Firth. It's a Victorian townhouse with three en suite bedrooms and one family room. Public rooms include a sun r...
★★★★    Rating
Grant Arms Hotel
Conveniently located in the centre of Grantown-on-Spey, the Grant Arms Hotel offers spacious public areas and has retained traditional character. The restaurant is a popular venue for d...
★★★★    Rating
Seafield Arms
The Seafield Arms enjoys a prominent location in the heart of Cullen just a couple of minutes from the sea. Originally built in 1822 the hotel has seen many changes over the years along...
★★★★    Rating
Kildrummy Inn
Located in the heart of rural Aberdeenshire, Kildrummy Inn is the perfect base for touring the Grampian Mountains and beyond. This family run, traditional inn combines a harmonious blen...
★★★★★    Rating
Nethybridge Hotel
This popular tourist and coaching hotel enjoys a central location amidst the majestic Cairngorm Mountains. Bedrooms are stylishly furnished in bold tartans while traditionally styled da...
★★★    Rating
Golf View Hotel & Spa
The Golf View Hotel & Spa is a northern gem that has wonderful sea views overlooking the Moray Firth and the Black Isle beyond – witness this via the vast picture windows in Hickory res...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Still & Stove
   AA Rosette Award
Orrin
   AA Rosette Award
Bar 19 at Seafield Arms Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
Places to eat nearby
The Still & Stove
   AA Rosette Award
Orrin
   AA Rosette Award
Bar 19 at Seafield Arms Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
Kildrummy Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Library at Douneside House
   AA Rosette Award
Cairn
The Commercial
View all
Route details
2hrs 30min
Dog-friendly Family-friendly
Difficulty:
Easy

Gradient:
Flat


Distance:
5.8 miles (9.3kms)

Ascent:
358ft (109m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
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Speyside Way: Craigellachie to Carron

Recommended by
Our view
"Along the riverside railway"
Walk details
2hrs 30min
Dog friendly Family friendly
Difficulty:
Easy
Gradient:
Flat
Distance:
5.8 miles (9.3kms)
Ascent:
358ft (109m)
Walk directions

From here to Ballindalloch, the Speyside Way follows the track bed of the former Strathspey Railway (illustrating the Speyside/Strathspey point!). From Fiddich Park, the railbed path starts off under a road bridge to reach the riverside at Craigellachie, a popular centre for fishermen. A signed path to the right would take you to Telford's bridge; the main path ahead passes under two more roads.
1 of 5

Between Craigellachie and Aberlour the path goes through the only tunnel on the line. It is a short affair some 150yds (135m) long with clear visibility. The railbed continues more or less beside the river, with the A95 close by to the left, to enter Aberlour. The route passes behind houses, then diverts off the railway to the nearby riverside path.
2 of 5

You must head across left to reach the former station, now the Speyside Way Visitor Centre and Ranger base. It has been extended and preserved, with part of the building open as a café in summer, selling excellent local produce at very reasonable prices. The café is manned on a voluntary basis by the ladies of the village, all the proceeds going to charity, so it is well worth patronizing. The station is now part of the attractive Alice Littler Park, named for the wife of Sydney Littler, a noted local benefactor. A graceful suspension footbridge crosses the river here (but the Speyside Way doesn't!), and the banks are favoured by anglers.

Ignore a grey footbridge ahead, but turn away from the Spey along a stream for a few steps. Rejoin the old railway to cross a suspension footbridge.
3 of 5

From Aberlour, the Speyside Way continues on the old railway. The plentiful tree cover and frequent cuttings mean that views are somewhat limited on this stretch, but it is easy walking. An early cutting displays pinkish granite rock, with white sparkly mica crystals: the same granite intrusion as Ben Rinnes which rises above the final stages of the walk.
4 of 5

The path runs alongside a minor road for a short distance, to cross the Spey on a bridge which gives good views not only along the river but down into it! By contrast with Telford's innovative iron bridge at Craigellachie, this was in fact the last cast-iron bridge made in Scotland. It dates from 1863 and features a lattice construction. It is worth going down to the river to look up at the bridge and appreciate its lightness. The path runs alongside the road into the small village of Carron, where it passes the entrance to the Imperial Distillery, home of the famous Black Bottle Whisky.
5 of 5
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Wide, smooth railbed path, no stiles
  Landscape - Wooded riversides and fields
  Dog friendliness - Good
  Parking - Fiddich Park & Ben Aigan Car Park
  Toilets en route - Fiddich Park and Aberlour Station Visitor Centre
About the walk
Craig Ailichidh, the original Gaelic spelling, means ‘strong rock’. The frowning cliff on the west side of the river serves to enhance the appearance of the graceful iron bridge below it. Craigellachie should not be left without making the short diversion to see Telford’s bridge over the Spey. ...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
not available. .
Explore

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Hotel
The Station Hotel
★★★★
awardaward
"An impressive building with an even more impressive whisky bar...."
  • Family rooms: 1
  • Free TV
  • WiFi available
Caravan & Camping
Huntly Castle Caravan Park
★★★★★
award
"Quality holiday park close to Speyside's Malt Whisky Trail...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Wifi available
  • Calor Gas
Bed & Breakfast
Kintrae Bed and Breakfast
★★★★
awardawardaward
"A cosy stay in the heart of Buckie...."
  • DVD Player
  • Wifi
  • Chargers tethered
Nearby places to stay
The Station Hotel
Located at the heart of Speyside, the Station Hotel dates back to 1901 and is a perfect base for touring the numerous distilleries of the area. The 15 Rooms and Suites are modern and we...
★★★★    Rating
Huntly Castle Caravan Park
A quality parkland site within striking distance of the Speyside Malt Whisky Trail, the beautiful Moray coast and the Cairngorm Mountains. The park provides exceptional toilet facilitie...
★★★★★    Rating
Kintrae Bed and Breakfast
Kintrae B&B and sits in the heart of Buckie, with views out to the Moray Firth. It's a Victorian townhouse with three en suite bedrooms and one family room. Public rooms include a sun r...
★★★★    Rating
Grant Arms Hotel
Conveniently located in the centre of Grantown-on-Spey, the Grant Arms Hotel offers spacious public areas and has retained traditional character. The restaurant is a popular venue for d...
★★★★    Rating
Seafield Arms
The Seafield Arms enjoys a prominent location in the heart of Cullen just a couple of minutes from the sea. Originally built in 1822 the hotel has seen many changes over the years along...
★★★★    Rating
Kildrummy Inn
Located in the heart of rural Aberdeenshire, Kildrummy Inn is the perfect base for touring the Grampian Mountains and beyond. This family run, traditional inn combines a harmonious blen...
★★★★★    Rating
Nethybridge Hotel
This popular tourist and coaching hotel enjoys a central location amidst the majestic Cairngorm Mountains. Bedrooms are stylishly furnished in bold tartans while traditionally styled da...
★★★    Rating
Golf View Hotel & Spa
The Golf View Hotel & Spa is a northern gem that has wonderful sea views overlooking the Moray Firth and the Black Isle beyond – witness this via the vast picture windows in Hickory res...
★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Still & Stove
   AA Rosette Award
Orrin
   AA Rosette Award
Bar 19 at Seafield Arms Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
Places to eat nearby
The Still & Stove
   AA Rosette Award
Orrin
   AA Rosette Award
Bar 19 at Seafield Arms Hotel
   AA Rosette Award
Kildrummy Inn
Kildrummy Inn
   AA Rosette Award
The Library at Douneside House
   AA Rosette Award
Cairn
The Commercial
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby