Walking In Moray

Time 4-5 hours , Time of day -  early as possible around 7 or at a push 8 am , Ballast stone underfoot and overgrown forest paths I advise that this wee walk should be done in the early spring as to get the full beauty of the wildlife taken in.

This Walk is for those of you who are looking for some inspiration, motivation and have an explorer inside them. Also I would advise this walk for those want to know more about the wee city of Elgin and its past, As far as situations go I found this walk very relaxing and it was able to take my mind off of other things going on in my life at that moment. If your looking for a place to get away from everything but still having the thought of home being less than a short stroll away. This walk is defiantly for you. 

I would start at the buccaneer garage in New Elgin, which is yet to be opened for some unknown reason. Elgin eh to busy making houses for people to move here and boost its income but never up for putting money into what attracts people here in the first place? Now! Head south along the A914, Moving towards Rothes/Highland’s direction when you reach the new Red round about shortly ahead of you head left along Thornhill road until you have just reached past the new nursery, funnily enough called “The Magic Roundabout!” Notice that there is a small break in the fence where local dog walkers and walkers in general have been treading for many moons now, hence why there is a furrowed path just after the gap. Follow this path which runs adjacent to the dry stone dyke/fence which runs down the entire length of the field and has a small tree growing right directly in the middle of it. Watch out the path does get slightly boggy at one point near the bottom. You might want to think about staying off the beaten track and going into the next field or maybe have a small try out with your scrambling skills and scale the top of the wall but please BE CAREFUL I wouldn’t want any law suits against me, all because I have advised you to climb a very shaky wall indeed! BUT! What ever you do to get round this possibly impenetrable force so early on your magnificent walk, do not take the left hand path trust me it is full of more bogginess and things which frighten small children! Feet will blister and tears will fall if this path is taken up!

Anyway now that all the dramatics have passed your now standing in the shade of a long line fo trees heading off in the direction parallel to the road and running along side a small burn ( of which has is called (don’t quote me on this “ Linkwood burn” and provides the water for the power and thrive through Longmorn Distillery (Ben Riach) And Thomshill Distillery (Loch Dhu).) for those of you who may not be as agile as my self or for those of you who may not like the look of the windy and difficult paths, follow the Path along the side of the field which will soon be the next stage of “The Elgin South Project”  which run along side the small burn under branches and over small irrigation ditches. This will soon be the site of the all boring construction works of the western side of "Elgin South" which is actually more south and Elgin south itself! Construction work is being done I think be “Springfield Construction” ìm sure, but I again would not quote me on this!

Walk adjacent to the burn which there is a small path to walk alongside. you will reach a small outlet of the stream and i advise to jump over this as it is only about a foot and a half across if my mind serves me right (if you are slightly elderly or in no fit state for jumping actions then i advise to walk adjacent to this burn and carry on until you see the bridge and cross there as it withers out soon enough). Carry on walking until you reach the bridge which will take you on the eastern side to the stream and follow the track east towards the distillery. You’ll soon enough know when it is time to turn south along the old railway line. A great hint it either the massive path which turns to the right or the old bridge which is across the stream and no longer there. follow this old railway track south and notice all the trees across the field as that is where we a re going! come to the end of the field and notice that there is a small path leading into the trees and dont be fooled by the barron-nees look of the path. its perfectly quite safe and visible futher on.(please follow directions on the map provided) You are now heading into birkenhill wood a small wood set upon the eastern side of the A941 just before entering New Elgin fromt he Rothes Direction.Follow the path through rough and overgrowth firs may hit you in the face but i advise my walker to think of the lion the witch and the wardrobe here and think how lucy had to fight her way through the bushes at the back of the cup board in order to find what was beyond.