Moray Way

Arrive in the picturesque village of Fochabers, located on the banks of the River Spey on the main Moray coastal route. Founded in 1776, the village enjoys a rich cultural history and many of the buildings on the High Street are period houses of architectural interest.

Follow the River Spey as you climb to a quiet road high above the river. As the Way follows forest tracks along the side of Ben Aigan there are wonderful views across the Spey Valley before descending into the attractive village of Craigellachie.

Visit the Macallan Distillery, or extend your route to follow the 4-mile Dufftown spur to this charming little town and the ‘Malt Whisky Capital of The World’.

Your walk follows the Speyside Way south with easy walking through a wooded valley past rivers and farmland. It passes through the villages of Aberlour, Carron and Knockando before arriving into Ballindalloch – a small village surrounded by majestic hills.

Here you’ll find Ballindalloch Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. Known as the ‘pearl of the north’, a visit to the castle and its gardens will be a real highlight.

This memorable section will provide you with a wonderful taste of walking in wild and isolated countryside. You’ll follow a track over the west shoulder of Ben Rinnes, commanding wonderful views, before descending to the famous Glenlivet Distillery. Enjoy a guided tour and a dram of this world-famous single malt before climbing to Carn Diamh, which – at 1870 feet – is the highest point on the route.

Descend into Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands.

After breakfast you will be transferred back to Ballindalloch. The Way continues past Cragganmore Distillery, crossing farmland and following forestry tracks on its way to Cromdale.

The route then follows a meandering track through superb pine woods emerging eventually on the outskirts of Grantown-on-Spey.

Today you will cross the Dava Moor – a wide open space of expansive moorland and woodlands, before reaching the Divie Viaduct. The impressive seven-arched viaduct was built in the 1860s and was an ambitious Victorian project that, today, serves as a great adornment to the beautiful landscape that surrounds it.

From here, the scenery becomes increasingly pastoral towards Dunphail.

Continue your journey through a picturesque landscape of woods and fields, as you follow the old railway line surrounded by yellow gorse and broom. Passing through the Medieval settlement of Forres, you could visit Sueno’s Stone – the largest surviving Pictish stone of its kind in Scotland.

Your destination for tonight is the pretty eco-village of Findhorn situated on the shores of the Moray Firth. Idyllically set facing Burghead Bay, Findhorn’s majestic beaches are a sight for sore eyes!

This section follows the coastline. See if you can spot the regular whales and bottlenose dolphins that circumnavigate the Moray Coast!

Passing through Burghead and Hopeman, the Way will take you through Clashach Quarry and Covesea – a spectacular section of the path where you can see caves and rock arches.

The final part of the walk leads towards Lossiemouth, the ‘Jewel of the Moray Firth’. This busy town has a spectacular marina and attracts many surfers and sailors.

The last section of the Moray Way begins at the stunning Lossiemouth East Beach, continuing through the small towns of Kingston and Garmouth and across the old iron railway bridge over the River Spey. Once you cross the bridge, you could take a short 1-mile detour towards Spey Bay and visit the Scottish Dolphin Centre.

The path continues along riverside paths and tracks before arriving back in Fochabers.

After breakfast, you will start your journey home after a wonderful walking holiday on the Moray Way.