Archiestown Woods

This route is not waymarked and part of it runs through private land. Beware of forestry operations.

Map: OS Landranger # 37, Elgin and Dufftown.

Distance: 12 miles. You gradually climb about 600′ and then drop back down again.

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.

From Carron, follow the public road uphill, northwards. Turn right at the first junction then left at the next junction and continue uphill. to Archiestown. Go through the village, cross straight over the main road and continue uphill into the Forestry Commission woodland. Continue straight on uphill, ignoring all roads on either side. About two miles after you enter the forest the road curves around to the left. Keep on this main road, which gradually becomes grassy and less well used. After about a mile and a half it curves to the left again, and you may have to negotiate fallen trees. After another mile or so you come to a gate, which takes you out of the FC woodland and onto the Mannoch road.

This gate may be locked – it is an Estate key, not a Commission key. We are currently in discussion with the Estate to resolve and improve the situation here.

Turn left, downhill and follow the ‘road’ to the public road, cross straight over and follow the track downhill to the Cardhu distillery. Here you turn left onto the public road, at the junction with the B9102, cross straight over and continue to Knockando House. The public road ends here and you continue on a rough track downhill and onto the Speyside Way which you follow back to Carron.