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From the foothills of the Cairngorms to Moray’s award-winning coastline you can enjoy long summer days discovering Moray’s natural, historical and cultural landscape.
Fri, 17 June 2022 @ 10:00 - 14:00
This walk is an inspiring and varied coastal walk. Few things can be more enjoyable than a good coastal walk, with crashing waves on rugged rocks, long swathes of golden sand and picturesque little harbours, sea birds and the possibility of seeing dolphins being the main ingredients for an enjoyable day out.
Fishing has been carried out at Cullen for at least five hundred years, and the picturesque huddle of the Seatown with its colourful painted cottages and twisting lanes dates in part from the 17th century.
The arches of the viaducts frame some of the best views of the town and its surroundings; the Seatown, the Cullen burn, the 19th-century temple of Pomona – a garden teahouse in the shape of a classical temple and, most magnificent of all, Cullen bay with the three distinctive sea stacks known as the ‘Three Kings’.
After skirting the marvellous sweep of Cullen Bay, the route passes Jenny’s Well, named after a poor woman in times past who lived in a cave nearby, and there are great views of the Whale’s Mouth rock formation. After climbing the concrete steps to the Portknockie headland, we come upon the focal point on the route – the hugely impressive and photogenic Bow Fiddle Rock – a natural sea arch, so-called because it resembles the tip of a fiddle bow. Portknockie has an ancient history; including being the site of a Pictish fort, but its modern development is associated with the herring boom of the 1800s. After making our way through Portknockie we return to Cullen via the disused railway line and viaduct, with tremendous coastal views over the golf course. Our return route to Cullen also takes us beside the burn of Cullen and across the west bridge, taking us past Cullen House and grounds.
Event Details
Date: Fri, 17 June 2022
Time: 10:00 - 14:00
Cost: £10.00 – £12.50
Distance: 7 miles / 11.2 km
Grade: Moderate (info)
Leader: Elaine Crowe and Jenny Jordan
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Coast, Heritage, Moderate, Nature, Walk
The price of the ticket includes a coffee/tea break with tray bakes on our return route in Cullen Bay Hotel. All event proceeds go to The Moray Way Association a registered charity and non-profit making organisation. The Festival is organised by the Moray Way Association trustees, who operate in a voluntary capacity.
Terrain – varied surfaces and mixed gradient: beach, coastal footpaths and a steep step section, (care near cliff edge and on rocky sections), and when using sections of quiet road and pavement.
Care is needed crossing the A98 twice.
The environment that we are walking in has the potential for changing weather so please bring along appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear and if you have walking poles bring them along too. Bring along Binoculars for viewing the wildlife. A reasonable level of fitness is required to do this walk. Walk is not suitable for dogs or young children. Although we will be stopping for refreshments on our return route to Cullen please bring along a drink and a snack of your choice just in case you need one during the walk. Please note that there are sections of the walk that can become muddy after rain. The walk including stops is approximately 3.5 – 4 hours.
Discover Grantown-on-Spey a guided walk of this historic 18th century planned town and Capital of Strathspey.
Discover Grantown-on-Spey, an 18th century planned town and Capital of Strathspey.
Local guide and resident John, will describe the origins of the town, buildings and history. Followed by a route along the old military road through Scot’s pine woodland to the famous River Spey and old Spey Bridge. Recounting tales of past events and local characters, the walk will return by a different route to the High St and Square.
John Halliday is a local Scottish Tourist Guides Association Green Badge guide for the Northern Highlands. Local to Grantown, his family have lived in the area for centuries. He regularly leads walks in and around Grantown and has written three books on Strathspey placenames, myths and legends.
Event Details
Date: Fri, 17 June 2022
Time: 10:30 - 13:30
Cost: £5.00 – £10.00
Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km
Grade: Easy (info)
Leader: John Halliday
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Easy, Family Friendly, Nature, Urban, Walk
Walk is on local streets then through woodland trails and paths. All relatively flat.
Organiser: Strathspey Tours
Phone: 07876235408
Email: info@strathspeytours.com
Website: View Organiser Website
A presentation in pictures by Norman Thomson, whose ‘Moray Way Companion’ is due to appear in bookshops in July.
This is one of a series of guides published by Birlinn alongside those covering the Fife Coast Trail and the Deeside Way. Come along to Forres Tolbooth to enjoy in comfort a whistle-stop tour of what perhaps maybe territory you have signed up to cover in the course of events in the Walking Festival. The entrance fee also includes refreshments, during which there will be the opportunity to meet fellow walkers, and also members and office-bearers of the Moray Way Association.
Event Details
Date: Fri, 17 June 2022
Time: 19:30 - 20:30
Cost: £5.00
Leader: Norman Thomson
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Evening Event, Family Friendly, Indoor Event
Organiser: Moray Way Association
Phone: 07764615517
Email: info@morayways.org.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
Sat, 18 June 2022 @ 09:00 - 17:00
Tickets Tickets are no longer available
A linear walk with Dorenell and Glenlivet Ranger Services along Moray core path SP29 from Bridgehaugh in Glenfiddich through to Glenlivet.
Join the Rangers from Dorenell Ranger Service and Glenlivet Ranger Service for a walk up the River Fiddich all the way to its source then over the watershed to meet the River Livet. We’ll park at the finish point in Glenlivet and be transported by coach to the start at Bridgehaugh, south of Dufftown. The route will follow Moray core path SP29, going past Glenfiddich Lodge and up Glenfiddich itself where we’ll have an opportunity to see Elf House cave and the McHardy stone. Once up on the watershed, we’ll hopefully have views across to the Cairngorms before following the Suie Burn down to the River Livet and out to Glenlivet.
Along the route, the Rangers will talk about the Cultural and Natural History of the area and will be on hand to point out any wildlife along the route which could include Red Deer and various birds of prey including Golden Eagles and White-tailed Eagles.
Although starting off on patchy tarmac track the route is mainly rough landrover tracks with a number of small stream and river crossings. A larger river crossing towards the end can be avoided by a bridge further upstream but walkers should come prepared for potentially wet feet.
Mark Johnston is Head Ranger for the 23000ha Glenlivet Estate. The Crown Estate acquired Glenlivet (now managed by Crown Estate Scotland) in 1937 which today comprises over 30 let farms, 1500 acres of commercial forests and a sporting tenancy including grouse moors, salmon fishing and deer stalking.
Stephen Reeves is Head Ranger for the Dorenell Ranger Service, set up by EDF Renewables in July 2019 as part of the Dorenell Wind Farm on Cabrach and Glenfiddich estate. Based at the Dorenell Wind Farm Visitor Centre, the Rangers are responsible for delivering the Access Strategy and Habitat Management Plan whilst delivering environmental education and guided walks in the Cabrach and surrounding area.
Event Details
Date: Sat, 18 June 2022
Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Cost: £10.00 – £15.00
Distance: 13 miles / 20.8 km
Grade: ModeratePlus (info)
Leader: Stephen Reeves and Mark Johnston
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Forest, Heritage, Hill, Moderate +, Nature, Walk
We’re meeting at the endpoint of the walk and getting transported to the start point by coach. The coach leaves Allan Reid car park at 0900. This is a long walk and once in Glenfiddich, there are no options for a shortened route.
Please ensure you have appropriate clothing for all weather possibilities and plenty of food.
There will be no bathrooms on the walk or at the start and endpoints.
Unfortunately due to the coach travel, we will not be able to take dogs.
Sat, 18 June 2022 @ 10:00 - 13:00
Guided walk of Glenbeg, Grantown-on-Spey’s hidden gem. Accompanied by a local STGA guide, historian and author. History, heritage, nature and great views of Cromdale Hills & Cairngorms.
Glenbeg or the small glen is located near Grantown-on-Spey. A mixture of farmland and grouse moor, the glen has a rich history since the Bronze Age and more recently with clan Grant.
Join John on his guided walk over a circular route following a tarred road and farm tracks, listening to past events, interpreting the landscape and with great views to the Cromdale Hills and Cairngorms.
John Halliday is a local Scottish Tourist Guides Association Green Badge guide for the Northern Highlands. Local to Grantown, his family have lived in the area for centuries. He regularly leads walks in and around Grantown and has written three books on Strathspey placenames, myths and legends.
Event Details
Date: Sat, 18 June 2022
Time: 10:00 - 13:00
Cost: £8.00 – £12.00
Distance: 4 miles / 6.4 km
Grade: Easy Plus (info)
Leader: John Halliday
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Easy +, Family Friendly, Heritage, Hill, Nature, Walk
There is a burn to cross by stepping stones. Sometimes these are under water if previous heavy rain.
Organiser
Organiser: Strathspey Tours
Phone: 07876235408
Email: info@strathspeytours.com
Website: View Organiser Website
Sat, 18 June 2022 @ 10:00 - 14:00
Take a leisurely walk along the Moray Coast with outdoor photographer Kim Grant. Learn how to mindfully tune the world around you and capture beautiful photographs as you do so
Take a walk along the Moray Coast and learn how to connect with nature through photography. During this guided walk, we will make our way along the coastal path between Burghead and Hopeman. While walking, Kim will open your eyes up to the many photography opportunities available along the way. Using your camera (or phone), you will learn to see the world around you in a new light and capture many subjects as you do so. This walk will be done at a leisurely pace, allowing us to mindfully observe and tune in to the world around us. Kim will encourage you to use all your senses to find photographic subjects. This will include watching the waves crash to shore, listening out for wildlife and touching the rocks that line the coastline. We will focus on the smaller aspects of the landscape and how to capture all the shapes and patterns that can be found around us. Halfway through the walk, we will stop by the sea to eat our lunch and do some mindful exercises.
This walk is open to all photographic abilities – no matter what camera or phone you own.
Event Details
Date: Sat, 18 June 2022
Time: 10:00 - 14:00
Cost: £18.00 – £20.00
Distance: 5 miles / 8 km
Grade: Moderate (info)
Leader: Kim Grant
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Coast, Easy +, Forest, Multi Activity, Nature, Walk
Please bring a camera or phone and a packed lunch along with you.
Organiser
Organiser: Kim Grant (Visualising Scotland)
Phone: 07522100398
Email: kim@visualisingscotland.co.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
Sat, 18 June 2022 @ 10:30 - 13:00
A medium length, flat, circular walk exploring a range of habitats and ecosystems as well as looking at some historical features and opportunistic wildlife spotting.
A circular walk meeting at the old Dallas Dhu distillery, heading along the Dava way then back through the ancient and fascinating Altyre estate. We will look at and discuss different habitats and their ecological features as we explore the extremely varied scenery along this gentle walk. From plantation forest to native woodland, open farmland to wetland wilderness, we will cover a wide range of landscapes in this medium length walk. We will also look at some of the fascinating historical features of the ancient Altyre estate.
Event Details
Date: Sat, 18 June 2022
Time: 10:30 - 13:00
Cost: £10.00 – £20.00
Distance: 7 miles / 11.2 km
Grade: Easy Plus (info)
Leader: Ruaraidh Milne
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Easy +, Family Friendly, Forest, Heritage, Nature, Walk
Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Organiser
Organiser: Ruaraidh Milne
Phone: 07900385008
Email: ruaraidh@N4H.co.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
Sat, 18 June 2022 @ 11:00 - 14:00
A wildlife safari walk in the Glenlivet Hills!
Join the Moray Council Officer for a walk up a secluded glen nestled in the Glenlivet hills to a rustic log cabin wildlife hide overlooking the head of the glen and across to Blairfindy moor and down to the Spey valley. Good chance of seeing red deer, red grouse and mountain hare. And if we’re blessed with good fortune we might get a sighting of a hen harrier and merlin flying by.
Event Details
Date: Sat, 18 June 2022
Time: 11:00 - 14:00
Cost: £10.00
Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km
Grade: Easy Plus (info)
Leader: Ged Connell
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Family Friendly, Forest, Hill, Moderate, Nature, Walk
Please bring a packed lunch and suitable outdoor clothing. Bring a pair of binoculars if you have any but these will be available on the day.
Organiser
Organiser: Ged Connell, Moray Council Countryside Officer
Phone: 07919624164
Email: ged.connell@moray.gov.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
Sat, 18 June 2022 @ 11:00 - 14:00
A demanding, mostly pathless but short (11 miles) hill-run in the heart of Glenfiddich/Blackwater; ground not often trodden.
Starts and finishes at NJ 351 343 Dorenell Wind Farm main entrance Car Park. (Glacks of Balloch). Mostly off-path and off-road after a warm-up on the forest track. This is a spectacular, short hill run which takes the ridge from Scaut Hill (Trig point) to Cook’s Cairn and back.
There are turbine paths that cross the route, but as they lead nowhere, the best route is on the ridge direct. The object of this short run is to build skills to cross rough hill country running style. There are spectacular views to Cabrach (left) Corryhabbie (right), Blackwater, Glenlivet and the Ladder hills; all part of this group. Many other combinations are possible in this range and this is a good introduction to it. There are no river crossings needed but expect to get wet feet unless it is bone dry. The situation is exposed (wind or heat). If the winds are too high, there is a plan B to simply turn back at Carn Allt Chlaiginn.
The route takes in a huge variety of surfaces: some forest track, steep grass, rough hill surface, heather, peat hags and slight bogginess. There are no cliffs, no crags and no scrambling is needed. It is a great introduction to the ‘off-piste’ nature of this area.
Event Details
Date: Sat, 18 June 2022
Time: 11:00 - 14:00
Cost: £10.00
Distance: 11.1 miles / 17.76 km
Grade: Challenging (info)
Leader: David Gordon
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Challenging, Forest, Hill, Multi Activity
The average pace will be about 5.5 mph (faster on the tracks and slower on the ascents or very rough ground). Ascent about 400m. Two hard pulls and otherwise undulating (no paths).
Only lightweight gear is needed: fell-running/mountain marathon style. Bumbag or close-fitting race-style rucksack or vest. Fell-running rubber pyramid studs (worn in) or good trail shoes. Windshirt, thermal base layer/ or running vest and flexible, outdoor grade clothing. Light hat and gloves. No cotton fabrics. No heavy boots, bulky fleece or gore-tex suits are needed and will impede you. If you want to take sticks you can, but be prepared to carry them. Take water.
Do some off-path training first to strengthen up ankles and joints and try and raise your anaerobic threshold prior. There will be some climbing in and out of peat hags, though often one can drift through them with no effort. Expect holes, boggy patches, tussocks and heather.
There are no river crossings needed but expect to get wet feet unless it is bone dry. The situation is exposed (wind or heat). If the winds are too high, there is a plan B to simply turn back at Carn Allt Chlaiginn.
Organiser
Organiser: David Gordon
Phone: 07763499508
Email: deltagolfkilo@outlook.com
Website: View Organiser Website
Sat, 18 June 2022 @ 14:00 - Sun, 19 June 2022 @ 02:00
We are a local group of the Long Distance Walkers Association serving a large area in the north of Scotland, roughly everything north of a line between Aberdeen and the Isle of Mull, including the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland
We not only welcome members and guests from our area but also visitors from further afield to this far-flung corner of the country which offers so much in the way of walking in areas steeped in whisky and wildlife, history and culture, geology, landscape and sport.
We offer our members at least one group walk each month advertised in Strider (the LDWA magazine), and aim to have some social walks in-between advertised on our local group page. Our walks are being specially planned to offer participants a range of walking experiences from coast to Corbett and from river to glen.
As well as social walks, we put on two challenge walks each year: Heldon Hill Sunset Walk, and the Laich o’Moray 50-mile challenge in October.
Event Details
Start: Sat, 18 June 2022 @ 14:00
End: Sun, 19 June 2022 @ 02:00
Website: https://ldwa.org.uk/NorthWestGrampian
Distance: 25 miles / 40 km
Grade: Challenging (info)
Leader: Andrew Thacker
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Challenging, Coast, Forest, Hill, Walk
This is not a led walk, so you must be able to navigate to the checkpoints, see in the dark and contact the organisers if need be, so please take:
Route description (available to download from North of Scotland LDWA website closer to the event date)
Map and compass (Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 423 covers the whole route)
A torch
Mobile phone
The route will have way markers on difficult sections and a GPX file will also be available for download closer to the event. There will also be a tail end walker/sweeper wearing a hi-viz top, so if you need help with navigating the route you will need to walk at the back.
There is a 12 hour time limit.
The walk to Forres is more or less the overnight section of the Laich o’ Moray 50 mile Challenge event to be held in October, but will be in daylight, so a good opportunity for participants of that, to recce it.
Members of the LDWA are advised to book via SiEntries to obtain their member discount.
Organiser
Organiser: North Of Scotland Long Distance Walkers Association
Phone: 07717724765
Email: chair.northofscotland@ldwa.org.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
The walk will be a leisurely stroll from The Tolbooth, Forres, down Tolbooth Street, through Grant Park and up to the Nelson Tower at the top of Clunyhill. The pavement and tree-lined paths are all suitable for a mobility scooter. Sandra will tell stories about former residents of Forres who did well throughout their lives …
The walk will be a leisurely stroll from The Tolbooth, Forres, down Tolbooth Street, through Grant Park and up to the Nelson Tower at the top of Clunyhill. The pavement and tree-lined paths are all suitable for a mobility scooter. Sandra will tell stories about former residents of Forres who did well throughout their lives and contributed to making our little town great.
If desired there can be a tour of the Tolbooth, Courtroom, Jail, Police Station and clock tower after the walk.
Event Details
Date: Sun, 19 June 2022
Time: 10:30 - 12:00
Cost: £5.00
Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km
Grade: Easy (info)
Leader: Sandra MacIver
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Easy, Family Friendly, Heritage, Urban, Walk
Dogs can not be taken in the Nelson Tower.
Organiser
Organiser: Forres Heritage Trust
Phone: 07817106662
Email: Sandra.MacIver@ForresHeritage.co.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
Sun, 19 June 2022 @ 10:30 - 13:30
The Dava Moor, a wild, bleak or romantic spot north of Grantown. Walk with John as he reveals the history, legends, placenames and former settlements of a previous time.
Explore the Dava Moor on this walk from the Jesus Saves stone following estate tracks to former hill farms dotted across the moor.
John will recount tales of past lives on the moor, the folklore, placenames and the landscape.
Part of the route will retrace that which John took Cameron McNeish on in an episode of Roads Less Travelled for the BBC Scotland’s Adventure Show.
John Halliday is a local Scottish Tourist Guides Association Green Badge guide for the Northern Highlands. Local to Grantown, his family have lived in the area for centuries. He regularly leads walks in and around Grantown and has written three books on Strathspey placenames, myths and legends.
Event Details
Date: Sun, 19 June 2022
Time: 10:30 - 13:30
Cost: £8.00 – £12.00
Distance: 4 miles / 6.4 km
Grade: Easy Plus (info)
Leader: John Halliday
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Easy +, Family Friendly, Heritage, Hill, Nature, Walk
The walk is on estate hill tracks not venturing across moorland.
Organiser
Organiser: Strathspey Tours
Phone: 07876235408
Email: info@strathspeytours.com
Website: View Organiser Website
Sun, 19 June 2022 @ 12:30 - 13:30
There are local walking groups to suit all abilities in Moray – whether it’s a short sociable stroll in the park, or bagging Munros. This drop-in session will have representatives from many of these groups, with some holding a ‘taster’ walk following the drop-in (bookable separately). So, if you are thinking of joining a group, …
There are local walking groups to suit all abilities in Moray – whether it’s a short sociable stroll in the park, or bagging Munros. This drop-in session will have representatives from many of these groups, with some holding a ‘taster’ walk following the drop-in (bookable separately).
So, if you are thinking of joining a group, but not sure which is right for you, come along
At the drop-in, we will have:
Walk Moray Health Walks
A Walk Moray Health Walk is a short (up to an hour-long) low level, risk assessed walk led by trained walk leaders. Health Walks are aimed at inactive people who would benefit most from doing more physical activity. These can include people who haven’t been active for a while and would like to start again, people recovering from ill health or who are managing a long term health condition.
Long Distance Walkers Association
The North of Scotland Group of the LDWA holds group walks once a month. Our area covers a wide expanse of the North of Scotland, from Aberdeen northwards. Group walks are typically between 12 and 25 miles. We also hold ‘challenge’ events, including the 50 mile Laich O’Moray walk in early October. Details of our programme can be found at https://ldwa.org.uk/NorthWestGrampian/E/0/future-events-list.html
Moray Ramblers
Moray Ramblers have been running for over 25 years, and have over 100 members in the group. We have walk outings twice a month, alternating on Tuesday and weekend. Our walks are from 7 miles to 12 miles and range from easy, moderate and hard walks. However, we always walk to the slowest pace of the group. Walks can be found https://www.facebook.com/groups/438399116311261
Fochabers Hillwalking and Rambling Club
We run a summer programme which is mainly doing Munros and Corbetts. Our winter programme consists mainly of low level walks with a few Corbetts or Grahams mainly in November, March and April. The programme can be found https://www.facebook.com/Fochabers-Hill-Walking-Rambling-Club-181007335852356/
Forres 50+ Walking Group
We have two sections and walk alternate Fridays and aim to walk between 5 & 10 miles. Up until Covid we tried to use public transport so that we could start at one point and arrive at another but recently we have been doing circular walks with people using their cars – we hope to return to using public transport soon.
St John’s Church Walking Group
The informal walking group at St John’s started earlier this year and we are small in numbers and all retired members. Three to six miles is the usual distance we cover. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month and usually gather outside the church for a 10.30 start.
Moray Mountaineering Club
The Moray Mountaineering Club was established in 1931 with the declared aim to encourage mountaineering and serve as a bond of union amongst lovers of the Scottish hills. Club activities include monthly day and weekend meets, regular rock climbing sessions and social functions. A nominated committee member manages each activity. The main interests centre on summer and winter hillwalking, mountaineering, climbing, and ski touring. Details of the programme can be found https://moraymc.wordpress.com/
Forres Footpaths Trust
The Trust is not a walking group as such but has developed a network of paths around Forres for individuals and groups to enjoy.
Moray Field Club
The Moray Field Club is open to anyone who is interested in the geology, landscapes, flora and fauna, history and archaeology of Moray, and enjoys exploring the outdoors.
Each year we organise indoor meetings in the winter and early spring, and at least six local walks, or expeditions further afield, in the summer and early autumn.
For more information see: https://www.morayfieldclub.org.uk/
The Dava Way Association
The Dava Way Association manages and maintains the Dava Way, one of Scotland’s Great Trails. This follows the old Highland Railway Line for 24 Miles between the historic towns of Forres and Grantown-on-Spey. For more information see: https://davaway.org.uk/
Event Details
Date: Sun, 19 June 2022
Time: 12:30 - 13:30
Cost: Free
Grade: Easy (info)
Leader: Bea Jefferson
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Indoor Event
St Johns Church Hall, Russell Place, Forres IV36 1BL
Organiser
Organiser: Moray Way Association
Phone: 07764615517
Email: info@morayways.org.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
Sun, 19 June 2022 @ 13:30 - 14:20
This is a taster walk for people interested in taking part in Walk Moray Health Walks.
This will be an easy walk, starting and finishing in central Forres. The walk will be about 1.5 miles long and take 45 -50mins, accessible to all users, on paved footpaths and roads and the gradient is generally level. It is likely to start and end at Grant Park.
The Walk Moray project delivers health walks across Moray every week and is managed by Health and Social Care Moray.
With the help of our network of fantastic volunteers, Walk Moray runs a variety of low-level, friendly health walks.
Whether you would like to meet new people in your area or get more active, we are always looking for new people to join our walks. The project also supports several health walks which are run by other organisations. All of the current walks are listed below and you can click on each for further information. Some of our walk leaders have attended additional training including Disability Inclusion, Strength and Balance and Dementia Friendly Walking. Walk Moray was awarded Paths for All’s Dementia Friendly Walk accreditation in September 2021 for our walks in Elgin (Elgin Library walk), Fochabers and Burghead. A further 3 walks are going to be accredited, for anyone living with dementia, and their carers to remain connected to their community.
Event Details
Date: Sun, 19 June 2022
Time: 13:30 - 14:20
Cost: Free
Distance: 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
Grade: Easy (info)
Leader: Eileen Bush
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Easy, Family Friendly, Urban, Walk
Organiser
Organiser: Moray Health Walks
Sun, 19 June 2022 @ 13:30 - 15:45
This will be an easy walk, starting and finishing in central Forres, taking in Grant Park, Sanquhar Loch and Woods.
This is a taster walk for people interested in joining the St John’s Church Walking Group.
The informal walking group at St John’s started earlier this year, and we are small in numbers. Three to six miles is the usual distance we cover. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month and gather outside the church at 10am.
Event Details
Date: Sun, 19 June 2022
Time: 13:30 - 15:45
Cost: Free
Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km
Grade: Easy (info)
Leader: Dorothy Gough & Fiona Thompson
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Easy, Family Friendly, Forest, Walk
Organiser
Organiser: Moray Way Association
Phone: 07764615517
Email: info@morayways.org.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
Sun, 19 June 2022 @ 13:30 - 18:30
A taster walk for people who are interested in joining the North of Scotland Long Distance Walkers Association. Come along and meet some of our regular members on a tour around Forres.
This is a taster walk for people who are interested in joining the North of Scotland Long Distance Walkers Association. Come along and meet some of our regular members on a tour around Forres.
We are a local group of the Long Distance Walkers Association serving a large area in the north of Scotland, roughly everything north of a line between Aberdeen and the Isle of Mull, including the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland
We not only welcome members and guests from our area but also visitors from further afield to this far-flung corner of the country which offers so much in the way of walking in areas steeped in whisky and wildlife, history and culture, geology, landscape and sport.
We offer our members at least one group walk each month advertised in Strider (the LDWA magazine), and aim to have some social walks in-between advertised on our local group page. Our walks are being specially planned to offer participants a range of walking experiences from coast to Corbett and from river to glen.
As well as social walks, we put on two challenge walks each year: Heldon Hill Sunset Walk and the Laich o’Moray 50-mile challenge in October.
Event Details
Date: Sun, 19 June 2022
Time: 13:30 - 18:30
Cost: Free
Distance: 14 miles / 22.4 km
Grade: ModeratePlus (info)
Leader: Bea Jefferson
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Forest, Moderate +
The walk will take us on a circumnavigation of Forres, going to Cluny Hill, Muiry Wood, Sanquhar and the Altyre Estate, before returning via the River Findhorn.
To give an accurate taste of a typical LDWA walk (and to get us back at a reasonable time) we will be walking at a brisk pace averaging around 3 miles per hour, with a couple of short breaks. Don’t worry if you aren’t sure whether that would be comfortable for you. The walk is designed so that anybody wishing to take a short-cut back to the centre of Forres can leave the main group at several points.
Please bring drinks and snacks.
Organiser
Organiser: North Of Scotland LDWA
Phone: +44 7903 527930
Email: bea_jefferson@hotmail.com
Website: View Organiser Website
Sun, 19 June 2022 @ 14:00 - 16:00
A guided walk around the remains of the largest Cistercian Monastery in the North of Scotland, including the Abbot’s House, which is not usually accessible.
A walk and talk around the Kinloss Abbey site, including the Abbot’s House, which is not usually accessible and has undergone repair in 2020/21. Access to it is over a 3-foot wall, where some assistance is available for those with disabilities. The talk will cover the rise and decline of the Abbey and its buildings together with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission graveyard.
Kinloss Abbey is a Cistercian abbey at Kinloss in the county of Moray, Scotland. The abbey was founded in 1150 by King David I and was first colonised by monks from Melrose Abbey. It received its Papal Bull from Pope Alexander III in 1174. Robert Reid was its nationally famous abbot in the 16th century just before the Scottish Reformation.
Event Details
Date: Sun, 19 June 2022
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Cost: £7.00
Distance: 0.18 miles / 0.288 km
Grade: Easy (info)
Leader: Dr Timothy Finnegan
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Coast, Easy, Heritage, Walk
The Kinloss Abbey Trust is a charity set up in 2003 to raise public awareness and preserve Kinloss Abbey for posterity.
The nearest loo is in the local pub.
Booking Deadline. 1700 hrs 15 June.
Organiser
Organiser: Kinloss Abbey Trust
Email: timothyfinnegan@hotmail.com
Website: View Organiser Website
Mon, 20 June 2022 @ 09:00 - 12:00
The coast provides lots of inspiration for your nature writing. This route involves a gentle stroll and nature writing workshop along Burghead’s beautiful coastline.
The natural world is an endless source of inspiration for wildlife writer and photographer Rebecca Gibson. Join her as she walks part of the Moray Coast Trail from Burghead to Cummingston and back.
This three-hour event will involve a leisurely stroll along the coast path, keeping an eye out for any passing wildlife both in the fields and out at sea. You will be encouraged to notice not just the sights but also the sounds, textures and smells of your surroundings. Nature writing is most immersive when it involves all the senses.
During the walk there will be a nature writing workshop, using crashing waves, chittering stonechats and prickly gorse as sensory prompts. You will have the chance to read out what you’ve written if you’d like to, but there’s absolutely no pressure to share. Afterwards, we will make our way back along the coast path to the car park, hopefully feeling refreshed and inspired.
Event Details
Date: Mon, 20 June 2022
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Cost: £18.00 – £20.00
Distance: 3 miles / 4.8 km
Grade: Easy Plus (info)
Leader: Rebecca Gibson
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Coast, Easy +, Multi Activity, Nature, Walk
Well-behaved dogs are welcome but should not distract participants from the writing workshop or interfere with any wildlife.
The backshore can be hilly so there may be some short inclines, but there is no difficult terrain on the route and the main paths are either tarmac or flat earth/sand.
The event will finish at the start point.
Organiser
Organiser: Rebecca Gibson
Phone: 07557 193768
Email: contact@rebeccaonthewing.com
Website: View Organiser Website
Mon, 20 June 2022 @ 10:00 - 12:00
Join us as we go for a gentle walk around the beautiful Gordon Castle Estate. We’ll stop off along the way for some mindful moments and learn about the importance of regular nature connection practice.
Walking as part of a small group brings many benefits to physical, mental and social health. These benefits are deepened when it is possible to walk in greenspace where the beauty of nature and its seasonal shifts can be experienced first-hand and appreciated. We are delighted to host this walk amidst the pretty woodland and by the lochside on the Gordon Castle Estate.
As we move along the trail, we’ll introduce you to some mindful walking in nature activities where you will be encouraged to tune into your senses, allowing your attention to be drawn by both the small details and big moments around you. You will be welcome to share your observations if you feel comfortable doing so. The impact of such practice on your well-being will be discussed using the latest scientific research on nature connectedness and we’ll leave you with some ideas on how to hone this for yourself in your own time.
Event Details
Date: Mon, 20 June 2022
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Cost: Free – £5.00
Distance: 1 miles / 1.6 km
Grade: Easy (info)
Leader: Claire Buchanan and Sandra McKinnon
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Easy, Evening Event, Family Friendly, Forest, Nature, Walk
We will offer a cup of herbal tea, brewed by Kelly Kettle at the halfway point.
Can we ask those attending to please bring a cup for their hot drink.
Family-Friendly but suitable for 12+ age
Organiser
Organiser: Coorie Time
Phone: 07931228444
Email: clairebuchanan232@gmail.com
Mon, 20 June 2022 @ 10:15 - 15:00
A gentle circumnavigation of routes ancient and modern from Forres. Free for members of the Moray Way Association. Moray Wastebusters are inviting us to drop in for a little surprise.
Our walk gives a chance to visit many little known stories of the past. The route is easy walking but passes through a rich variety of landscape. We’ll keep an eye open for interesting flora and fauna as we go and finish up by visiting a site which is trying to preserve our environment and communities for the future.
This route will take us through some of the ancient centre of Forres to follow, then cross the Findhorn. We’ll take time to look at some of the sites of historic interest as we go.
Over the river, we have an invitation to go through Dalvey before following the Muckle Burn to Dyke. There will be an opportunity to enjoy some hidden treasures in this pretty village before taking a track to the fringes of Culbin Forest as we turn back towards Forres. As we cross the river again we’ll look for where locals crossed the river on stilts and drop into our friends at Wastebusters for a cuppa and a wee surprise gift.
Event Details
Date: Mon, 20 June 2022
Time: 10:15 - 15:00
Cost: Free – £10.00
Distance: 8.5 miles / 13.6 km
Grade: Moderate (info)
Leader: Kath Todd
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Heritage, Nature, Walk
Bring your own refreshments for a lunch stop.
Insect repellent recommended.
In order to make this a circular walk, there will be a short stretch through a small ndustrial estate.
We have kindly been invited to walk through an area not generally open to the public at Dalvey.
Local social enterprise Moray Wastebusters have invited us for a cuppa and a wee surprise gift as we come to the end of our walk. It’s sited next to the council recycling site but we hope that you’ll find it a fun stop.
Organiser
Organiser: Moray Way Association
Phone: 07764615517
Email: info@morayways.org.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
Mon, 20 June 2022 @ 13:45 - 16:45
A botanist guided walk in Culbin forest to celebrate local woman scientist, Mary McCallum Webster, including time to hear her story, from Mary Byatt, co-author of ‘Women of Moray’.
A highlight of the exterior of the Falconer Museum, ‘a Victorian gem in the heart of Forres’, are eight keystone portrait masks of eminent scientists and celebrities of the period, but…they are all men!
Hence the decision by Friends of the Falconer, as part of the museum’s 150th-anniversary celebrations, to recognise a woman scientist, Mary McCallum Webster, of Dyke, whose ‘Flora of Moray, Nairn and East Inverness’, published 1978, has been described as a masterwork.
Culbin forest was her happy hunting ground. During our walk, we shall do some plant finding, led by an expert, although we can’t promise her favourite, a wintergreen; and listen, briefly, to her story, told by Mary Byatt, author of the appreciation of McCallum Webster in the book ‘Women of Moray’. We also hope to have some anecdotes from the family of Olga Stewart, McCallum Webster’s main illustrator.
Look out for more Friends’ Falconer150 events later in the year.
Event Details
Date: Mon, 20 June 2022
Time: 13:45 - 16:45
Cost: £12.00
Distance: 4 miles / 6.4 km
Grade: Easy Plus (info)
Leader: Gordon Scott
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Coast, Easy +, Family Friendly, Forest, Heritage, Nature, Walk
Friends cannot control nature but expect there to be a good range of plants to discover in mid/late June.
Participants should come fully equipped for all weathers.
The walk is mainly on a level, well-maintained forest track but please take care of moving traffic when in the car park, also on leaving the track to botanise on rougher ground. Always follow your guide’s instructions.
You may wish to bring a small mat to sit on for the story-telling; also a light snack and/or drink.
Appropriate Covid compliance measures will be in place on the day, should they be required.
Organiser
Organiser: Friends of the Falconer Museum, Forres, Moray
Phone: 07785733237
Email: bayscott@hotmail.com
Website: View Organiser Website
Mon, 20 June 2022 @ 15:00 - 17:00
Learn about the natural medicines, foods, useful woods and more on this gentle walk in a lovely community woodland.
Come learn about the bounty that nature has on offer, from delicious mushrooms & berries, through useful timbers, to helpful medicines.
We will be walking very slowly on a very short walk tasting, sampling and collecting as we learn and explore the woods together. This time of year there should be berries, mushrooms, nuts and more, all in abundance!
Ruaraidh has been foraging and exploring nature for over 30 years. His passion and love led him through degrees in zoology and wildlife biology, taking him around the world as a wildlife biologist, and back home to Scotland where he works for Nature 4 Health, a local charity.
Event Details
Date: Mon, 20 June 2022
Time: 15:00 - 17:00
Cost: £10.00 – £15.00
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 km
Grade: Easy (info)
Leader: Ruaraidh Milne
Dogs: Yes, well behaved dogs are welcome
Category: Easy, Evening Event, Family Friendly, Forest, Nature
Please bring appropriate footwear and all-weather gear. The only weather that might stop us would be high winds.
Organiser
Organiser: Ruaraidh Milne
Phone: 07900385008
Email: ruaraidh@N4H.co.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
Mon, 20 June 2022 @ 18:30 - 21:00
A delightful, scenic, circular scenic walk that explores the western side of the River Findhorn Gorge using forest tracks and fishermen’s paths.
This is a five-mile circular walk through delightful woodlands that explores the western bank of the River Findhorn gorge using forest tracks and fishermen’s paths. There are steep drops to one side of the path in places. The walk has been popular and much enjoyed on the previous occasions it has been included in the Festival. It is in an area that is rarely visited by walkers.
Forres Footpaths Trust has been leading walks since the start of the Moray Walking and Outdoor Festival. They use funds raised to maintain and update their website and identify and publish new routes.
Event Details
Date: Mon, 20 June 2022
Time: 18:30 - 21:00
Cost: £10.00
Distance: 5.8 miles / 9.28 km
Grade: Easy Plus (info)
Leader: Wilson Metcalfe
Dogs: Sorry, dogs are not allowed
Category: Easy +, Evening Event, Forest, Walk
A free booklet A Guide to Walking in Forres is included in the price.
The walk will include a short break at a particularly scenic spot so bring a snack if you wish.
In places, there are steep drops for short distances on one side of the paths.
Organiser
Organiser: Forres Footpaths Trust
Phone: 07825040990
Email: wilson.metcalfe@yahoo.co.uk
Website: View Organiser Website
