DRUM WOOD

This is a nice easy circular route that takes in a few miles of the Speyside Way and returns through forestry on the other side of the river. Good views to the north from the Drum Wood and very scenic alongside the Spey. This route is not waymarked and part of it runs through private land. Beware of forestry operations.

Location:Between Carron and Marypark, just off the A95 Elgin to Grantown road.

Map:OS Landranger # 37, Elgin and Dufftown.

Distance:10 miles, one long easy climb of about 400', otherwise more or less level.

Going:A mixture of forest roads, some tarmac on minor public roads and the soft and grassy Speyside Way. Safety tabards should be worn on the public roads.

Access & Parking:There is a small parking area at Carron, grid ref. NJ 221443. There is also very limited parking at Blacksboat, NJ 182389. Both of these are easily accessible from the A95. It may also be possible to park at the Tamdhu distillery, NJ 186416, which is well used by canoeists. More space here but not sure if permission is needed. Also less accessible via the B 9102 and minor roads.

From Carron follow the Speyside Way markers eastwards, crossing an old railway bridge which also carries the public road. Shortly after, where the Speyside Way crosses the tarmac road, turn right up the public road and follow for 50 yards then double back along a forestry road on your right. Turn left at the fork and follow uphill, and thereafter keep straight on for three miles.

You rejoin the public road after Phones house, then turn right downhill, on the B9138, after Marypark, passing through the edge of the village. Depending on crops it may be possible to go through the fields at Burnside and rejoin the road near the bottom of the hill. Cross the bridge then immediately turn left to join the Speyside way. Turn left and follow back to Carron along a good grassy surface.

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