You can't see the wood for the trees on the Speyside Kiltwalk. Creative Commons: Nick Farwood
You can't see the wood for the trees on the Speyside Kiltwalk. Creative Commons: Nick Farwood
Taking place on Sunday 14th August the Speyside Kiltwalk is one of the more strenuous routes of the four taking place this year but possibly the most beautiful with the rugged Scottish countryside to look at on the way.
As with the other Kiltwalks there are three distances walkers can sign up to, The Mighty Stride (26 miles), The Big Stroll (16 miles) and the Wee Wander (5 miles +).
The Speyside Kiltwalk route mainly follows the Speyside Way, which comprises scenic and rugged coastal paths, forested tracks and tarmac roads that provide a contrast of beautiful scenery and varied terrain.
The mighty stride starts in Buckie at the Ian Johnston Park where you’ll find a children’s play area and formal landscaping.
Head along the coast and enjoy views of Spey Bay and the North Sea to the Scottish Dolphin Centre on the mouth of the river Spey. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the world’s largest bottlenose dolphins, known to frequent the waters of the bay.
Follow the Speyside Way to Bicentenary Park where the The Big Stroll joins the route and you’ll find pit stop number two. The Speyside Way offers a lot in terms of rural views, with Ben Aigan in the distance, Ben Rinnes, open countryside and of course the River Spey.
You’ll then pass by the Earth Pillars, mounds of earth that have been resistant to corrosion – a geological phenomenon, and the enchanting wood of Scots pines overlooking the River Spey.
At mile 16 of the walk you’ll find twin bridges at the Boat o’ Brig crossing the river Spey, a Telford bridge built in 1814 and a more modern road bridge opened in 1970. Historic records tell us that a bridge has been at Boat o’ Brig since 1232, built by the Romans under Emperor Severus. Later on a ferry was introduced to cross the river and the area became known as ‘The Boat of Bridge.’ It also happens to be the location of pit stop number four.
The bridges at Boat 'o Brig, Creative Commons: Ann Burgess.
The route from Boat o’ Brig is strenuous up to the next pit stop located at Forest Track, Arndilly. On the route you’re likely to see Arndilly House, a Palladian mansion dating from 1770.
Fiddich Park is where the Wee Wander joins the route and where you’ll find pit stop six in the village of Craigellachie. Its name comes from the steep cliff you’ll be able to see on part of the walk. This is where the River Spey meets the River Fiddich.
After Fiddich Park you’ll pass the area where one of the five distilleries owned by John Dewar & Sons Distillers is located, the Craigellachie distillery that dates back to 1890.
Along the route you might see Aberlour Parish Church, a Norman-style building that was rebuilt in 1861 following a fire.
Aberlour Parish Church in the square, Creative Commons: Ronnnie Leask
The route winds uphill in its 26th mile (15 for the Big Stroll or 5.5 if you’re doing the Wee Wander) at Alice Littler Park. The park was donated by Sydney Littler in 1980 and is used for the annual Aberlour Strathspey Highland Games.
