Laich_O'_Moray

Introduction

Please note that this is a description of the 50-mile circular route from the Forres Cricket Pavilion in Grant Park. Don’t expect the route to be exactly 50 miles, but it is somewhere between 50 and 52 depending on the method of measurement, or GPS device you use. This is not a race, so please take the time to appreciate this beautiful part of Scotland you are travelling through! You will need a compass and map (O/S Explorer Map 423) to help you follow this description.

1. Grant Park start to Findhorn CP1 (7.9 miles)

Section length 7.9 miles.

The parks and woodlands to the south and east of Forres are a very beautiful, tranquil part of Forres and the tour around the outskirts of the town is not only for your enjoyment, but also to make up the required 50 miles of this challenge.

Cluny Hill (0.8 mile long)

From the pavilion (NJ040590) head ENE to the corner of Grant Park by the squash courts and go into the woods, following the yellow way markers. This will take you up the hill under massive beech trees on a wide path that runs parallel to the minor public road below. Follow this path up to the highest point where there is a yellow way marker at a path junction with a path that cuts back to the right. From here you need to go on a narrow rough trod path that goes steeply up the hill, behind the big tree opposite the way marker, in a SW direction. At the top of the hill, continue along the ridge to Nelson tower (NJ044590) and walk around it for some fantastic views of Findhorn Bay, the Moray Firth and the hills beyond. Be sure to spend a moment taking in the view.  From here take the vehicle track heading SW and at the first path junction swing left to a southerly direction. Keep to the track until you get to the cemetery corner and then turn left onto a tarmac roadway. Follow this SE then SW until it brings you to a public road (St Leonard’s Road, B9010). 

Sanquhar Woods (0.8 mile long)

Cross over the road (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE) and follow the yellow way markers up the pebble access track then follow the narrow path at the top that swings right. Just before you get to a housing estate road, go left and take the trod path behind a low wall. Follow this to long steps down to the Mosset burn and at the path junction, turn left and go upstream until you get to a bridge.

Go over bridge, carrying straight on and follow the Mosset burn upstream. You will pass an information board, after which it goes uphill on long steps with the burn still on the left, but barely visible through the trees. Keep going on this twisting, undulating path until you see a rough trodden path going half left, with a bit of a step up off the main path. Take this narrow path until you come to a path junction and then go left.

Follow this much wider path that goes past a clearing with a large timber bench on the left until you get to another path junction. Go left down three steps then across a bridge. Turn right (S) along the level path and come out of the woodland. Turn sharp left (NNE), then half right (NE) at yellow marker post and head for a double field gate.

Flood Alleviation and Council Woods (1.5 mile long)

Just before the double field gate there is a smaller pedestrian gate that is easier go through unless you fancy hurdling the big gate. Go left after the gates and follow the field track which heads NE. Follow this until you come to a road (B9010) (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE) There will be a marshalled clipper post at the gates. Cross the road then turn left (WNW) walking on the narrow path at the side of the road, followed by a right turn (NNE) into the Council Wood car park area (NJ053580).

Walk straight through the car park and onto the path passing the barrier (NNE) through the woods, keeping the boundary wall to your left. At the corner of the wall, turn left (WNW) and at the next ‘Y’ junction bear right (NW) onto a narrow winding path. At the next junction, go straight on (NNE) until you come to the golf course boundary rabbit fencing. Follow the path near the fence (NE) and continue to keep the golf course boundary fence to your left. The boundary fence changes direction a couple of times and eventually heads west towards a housing estate.

When you get to the housing estate stay left between the brown fence and the rabbit fencing until you are walking by a tall evergreen hedge on the left. Continue on this path until you come to a tarmac road at the cemetery entrance. Turn right here and follow this to a road and go straight on. (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE) 

Drumduan School Grounds to Sueno’s Stone (0.3 mile long)

Follow the road into the dark wood, using the footpath on the walled verge, until you get to the entrance of Drumduan School on the right. Go into the grounds and follow the main track until you come to a right hand bend just past the play area.  On the bend go straight on, down a grassy path between two fields. This will take you down to a road where you need to turn left and follow the street signs to Sueno’s Stone and Kinloss. (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE) 

Sueno’s Stone to Findhorn CP1 at 7.9 mile point (4.5 miles long)

From Sueno’s Stone, take the tarmac cycleway and footpath over the A96 to Kinloss then left (NW) and continue to Findhorn. At Findhorn, keep the shoreline of the bay to your left until the first harbour pier, where you will see a small clock tower which is part of the Milne’s Institute building, Checkpoint 1 at 7.9 mile point (NJ038644)

2. Findhorn CP1 to Burghead CP2 (15.1 miles)

Section length 7.2 miles.

From the Milne’s Institute building, keep to the shoreline until you get to a fingerpost, turn right here and take the road past the Royal Yacht Club, then left at a crossroads junction. Follow the public road NW to the Ice House, then onto the beach car park where the beach is accessed via wooden steps. The tide will be sufficiently out along Burghead Bay to walk the 7 miles along the beach to Burghead. Alternatively the Moray coastal trail runs parallel to the beach through the adjacent woodlands and is well signed.

At Roseisle, half way to Burghead, there is a forestry picnic area with toilet facilities that is on the way marked coastal trail, but is also easily accessed from the beach. You can of course use a combination of both options of beach and coastal trail.

Go up the slipway at the end of the beach and keep left close to the rocky beach on left. Turn left at the main sea defence wall as you enter Burghead, then take the first tarmac road to the right which is signposted the Moray Coastal Trail and go about 100yds NE, then left onto Granary Street and after 100yds go right onto Seller Street where you’ll find Checkpoint 2 (NJ112689) in the community hall.

3. Burghead CP2 to Lossiemouth CP3 (24.1 miles)

Section length 9 miles.

From the Burghead Community Hall, backtrack to the harbour area and walk WNW to the tall main harbour back wall, where you’ll find stone steps in a corner going north up to the high ground of the headland cliffs. After the steps keep to the right of a retaining wall and then go left up a narrow flight of stone steps. There will be a marshalled clipper post at this point. Follow the cliff top path around the headland, passing the lookout post on the seaward side and then down to a gravel car parking area.  Continue SE along the coastal path past the large maltings building that dominates the town. From here, follow the coastal trail way markers to Hopeman along the disused railway line and then towards Lossiemouth along cliff top paths. At Covesea, well before Lossiemouth, the path goes close to a sandy beach near the Covesea Lighthouse, go along the beach from here because it is much easier to walk on than the overgrown coastal trail, which goes through the dunes slightly inland. The Ponderosa West Beach Café is the first building that you come to in Lossiemouth and is Checkpoint 3 at 24.1 mile point (NJ226708) and the halfway feeding station for this challenge walk where you will be served with your evening meal.

4. Lossiemouth CP3 to Elgin –Bishopmill Hall CP4 (31.5 miles)

Section length 7.4 miles.

Lossiemouth to Disused Railway Line (1.5 miles)

After a good feed at the Ponderosa Beach Café, follow the coastal trail past the harbours and along the quayside path that runs along the tidal section of the River Lossie until you get to the Spynie Canal road bridge where you need to depart from the coastal trail before it goes over the Lossie on the narrow footbridge. Head SW through a grassy car park and then along Gregory Place until it meets Imlach Way tarmac path.

Disused Railway Line to Elgin Cathedral (4.9 miles)

You are now on the unsigned old railway line to Elgin which heads south. It soon turns into a dirt track when it leaves Lossiemouth and then crosses the busy B9103 road (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE). After the road crossing, walk down this very straight disused railway line for about 3 miles to where it comes to a minor public road. (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE) Go left here in an east then SE direction, before taking a right turn (SW) and walking about a mile on a minor road to the outskirts of Elgin. At the T-junction, cross the road (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE) and turn left (S), then follow the main road on pavements and turn right (NW) onto a tarmac path just before the big road bridge. This will take you to a footbridge over the River Lossie. Go over the bridge and straight on to the Cathedral side road.

Elgin Cathedral to Bishopmill CP4 at 31.5 miles (1 mile long)

Walk around the Cathedral grounds to the west entrance where there is an access path into Cooper Park. Walk west through the park and past the Elgin Library, then NW along the west side of the big pond until you get to a footbridge across the river Lossie. Cross the bridge and walk up the road until it meets the busy Lossiemouth road. Walk north up the main road for a short way to a pedestrian crossing and cross over.  Continue for a few steps up the hill then take the next left turn (W) onto Blantyre Place where the first building on the left is the Bishopmill Community Hall, Checkpoint 4 at 31.5 mile point (NJ214635). The hall entrance is at the west end of the building

5. Bishopmill CP4 to Torrieston CP5 (38 miles)

Section length 6.5 miles

Bishopmill to Quarrywood (1.2miles)

From the Bishopmill community hall, go west along Blantyre Place and straight on at the junction until the T-junction. At the school grounds turn left (S) and follow the school boundary fence for a short distance to the fence corner.  Go SW along the narrow trod path that goes down to a riverside path. Follow this to the tarmac path junctions where there is a fingerpost indicating the path to Quarrywood.  Turn right (W) to follow a wide tarmac path (Cycle Route 1) The tarmac path winds up to come out on Morriston Road. (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE) Cross the road carefully, turn left (W) and walk down to the start of Brumley Brae.  Take the road on the right up the Brae (WNW). Keep to the footpath on the right but look out for a small path after about 150yds on the LH side. Cross the road carefully and take the path parallel to the road between large trees on the left and the steps to nowhere on the right. After a short distance turn left (W) into the Quarry Wood at the last concrete post. This is a good path that traverses the slope in a westerly direction.

Quarrywood (2.1miles)

The key to navigating the Quarrywood as you go through it, is to keep the high ground on the right and the sounds of the busy A96 on your left, though this may be quieter during the night hours. Don’t worry if you get a bit lost in this bit, because heading west will still bring you out onto the same minor road – just at a different place.

For the first mile, the traverse is mostly level then slightly up hill on wide trod paths. At the path junction by the 2nd bench, keep right on the higher traversing path (SW then W). Shortly after the 3rd bench, keep right (NW) at the next path crossroad junction, which takes you on an uphill path passes a fallen tree further up. When you get to the wide forestry track, go left between the 2 blue markers either side of the wide forestry track and follow this wide forestry track SW and then in a westerly direction that trends downhill for a mile, until a minor road is reached (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE). Go left down the minor road to where it meets the busy A96. (MAJOR ROAD – TAKE CARE).

Quarrywood to Torrieston CP5 (3.2 miles)

Go straight across this major trunk road at the junction, following the instructions of the marshals for your safety, and go over the low embankment.  On the other side of the embankment you will find a mossy disused tarmac road, which used to be a continuation of the minor road when it was a crossroads. Follow the disused tarmac road south for about ¼ mile to a locked gate near a cottage. Go over, or around the gate and continue SW for about 200yds, until a minor road is reached. (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE). Go south along this road for about 1.2 miles. Look out for a golden cockerel on the RHS and just after the house called Whiteoaks at the top of a rise, turn right (WSW) onto a single track road with a weight limit sign. Walk west and turn left after about 400yds onto a forestry track next to a house.

Go SW along and up the wide forestry track for about 550yds, following green way marker posts and go half left at a track Y junction just after the 5^th post. Look out for the green way markers as you go left onto a wide grassy path – if you don’t see another green post, you have missed the turn.  Follow these on the wide forestry paths - do not go along the narrow paths, unless you want to do some extra miles. When you reach a t-junction with markers going both ways go W  (unless you want to go round in circles). This path will take you to the Torrieston car park, picnic area and fun tent, which is Checkpoint 5 at 38 mile point (NJ164588).  Make sure you stock up well here for the coming uphill section through the forest.

6. Torrieston CP5 to Rafford Church CP6 (46.6 miles)

Section length 8.6 miles.

Torrieston to Califerhill Viewpoint (6.2 miles)

From the Torrieston checkpoint, head NW back towards the forest path and forest and turn SW to walk 1/3 mile along a wide path along the edge of the forest until it meets a public road access point. From here, go westerly up the steep forestry track for about 1.5 miles until a y-junction and take the uphill track to the right (W) for a further half mile up hill until it meets a very long straight track at a t-junction.  Head SW on this wide vehicle track for just over 1 mile and then turn right down hill (N), then next left after about 350yds and go SW, still on a wide vehicle track.

The forestry track ends after 1 mile where it meets a single-track public road. (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE). Turn right here (NNW) and go down hill to a T-junction, then left up the gentle sloping public road to the Califerhill Viewpoint access point.  Go into the small carpark and continue walking the short distance to the viewpoint, where there will be a marshalled clipper post (NJ084571).

Califerhill VP to Rafford CP6 (2.4 miles)

Go back to the Califerhill Viewpoint access point, turn right (SW) and go down the road for about 350yds and take the sharp left turning onto a farm track signed Laverock Height and Burnside. Keep right and follow this to a junction and take the R fork south, leading to the converted steading at Burnside.  Go straight on past the house and then after a short distance and before you go through the gate, follow the woodland path SW down the hill that has a fingerpost signed Sourbank.

This path can be a bit rough and overgrown in places, but after about half a mile, it comes to a gate at a public road end. Continue down hill on the road for a short way, to where the road bends sharply to the left. Go slightly right here, down a rough track/driveway (Parkview) that goes in front of the house, to a rough trod path, heading west. Follow this meandering path and turn right (WNW) where it eventually meets a wide farm track.

Keep to the right at all junctions on this track and go over the Rafford burn wooden bridge ‘at your own risk,’ then eventually downhill to the Rafford Church Hall, which is Checkpoint 6 at 46.6 mile point (NJ060563), the last one before Forres.

7. Rafford Church CP6 to Grant Park Finish (51.2 miles)

Section length 4.6 miles.

Directly opposite the church door a narrow dirt path leads onto a track that goes south to a road junction (PUBLIC ROAD – TAKE CARE). Cross the road junction to the old road and walk about 200yds SSE down this quiet village road that runs parallel to the B9010 road. Where the road bends to the left, take the second turn right at the end of a tall hedge and a lamppost. It looks more like a private driveway, but it does lead onto a wide grassy track at a big acorn shaped bush.

Go south then SW to woodland and keep to the main track without turning off until you come to the gates of a house with a high boundary wall. Please be very quiet as you go around this house! Follow the boundary wall to the left, which will take you to a track on the SW side of the house. Follow this track westerly until it comes to a parking and bin area junction and another vehicle track.

Go diagonally right across this junction then turn left onto a wide footpath just before the tarmac road and houses start. Follow this path SW for about 350yds until it meets the Dava Way, indicated by a fingerpost pointing to the right. Follow the Dava Way for 2.2 miles towards Forres, until you get to a residential road on the outskirts of the town.

Turn right onto Manachie Avenue and keep following the Dava Way, first signed on markers posts and then by white circular discs on lampposts through the town. (Some of these will have glow sticks on them)  When you get to the Tolbooth roundabout at the British Legion (building on your right) go steeply uphill on South Street, then right into Grant Park at the top of the short rise. Walk NE to the Cricket Pavilion which marks the end of the Laich o’ Moray Challenge and the start of a well deserved breakfast after completing just more than 51 miles!