Grantown-on-Spey & The Speyside Way - Monday 25 March 2024
Route
Grantown-on-Spey - Anagach Wood - Speyside Way - Nether Port - Cromdale Bridge - River Spey - Craigroy - Old Spey Bridge - Anagach Wood - Grantown-on-Spey
Parking
Plenty of both on & off street parking in Grantown-on-Spey. The town postcode is PH26 3HF.
Mileage
8 miles
Terrain
Woodland & riverside paths
Weather
Overcast for the entire walk
Time Taken
3hrs 15mins
Total Ascent
590ft (180m)
Map
OL61 - Grantown-on-Spey & Hills of Cromdale
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Grantown-on-Spey - Anagach Wood - Speyside Way - Nether Port - Cromdale Bridge - River Spey - Craigroy - Old Spey Bridge - Anagach Wood - Grantown-on-Spey
Parking
Plenty of both on & off street parking in Grantown-on-Spey. The town postcode is PH26 3HF.
Mileage
8 miles
Terrain
Woodland & riverside paths
Weather
Overcast for the entire walk
Time Taken
3hrs 15mins
Total Ascent
590ft (180m)
Map
OL61 - Grantown-on-Spey & Hills of Cromdale
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
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Route Map
The main thoroughfare of the town of Grantown-on-Spey
The town was founded in 1765 as a planned settlement, and was originally called simply Grantown after Sir James Grant. the 8th Baronet who was a Scottish landowner, politician and Chief of Clan Grant. He was often referred to as "the Good Sir James". The addition 'on Spey' was added by the burgh council in 1898. The town has several listed 18th and 19th century buildings, including several large hotels, and serves as a regional centre for tourism and services in the Strathspey region.
The town was founded in 1765 as a planned settlement, and was originally called simply Grantown after Sir James Grant. the 8th Baronet who was a Scottish landowner, politician and Chief of Clan Grant. He was often referred to as "the Good Sir James". The addition 'on Spey' was added by the burgh council in 1898. The town has several listed 18th and 19th century buildings, including several large hotels, and serves as a regional centre for tourism and services in the Strathspey region.
The War Memorial in Grantown-on-Spey
The Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey
The "Regality Cross"
In a 1694 charter (Old) Grantown was created a Burgh of Regality and a market cross erected. In June 1766 the cross was ceremonially taken to the one-year old new Grantown and set up in the market place. What later became of that cross is a mystery. In 2015, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Grantown a new cross was made and unveiled in The Square by Earl Seafield, a direct descendant of Sir James Grant.
In a 1694 charter (Old) Grantown was created a Burgh of Regality and a market cross erected. In June 1766 the cross was ceremonially taken to the one-year old new Grantown and set up in the market place. What later became of that cross is a mystery. In 2015, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Grantown a new cross was made and unveiled in The Square by Earl Seafield, a direct descendant of Sir James Grant.
From The Regality Cross we turned off the main thoroughfare towards the Golf Club
Grantown's Bell which is now located in a purpose built campanile
The bell was originally housed in the clock tower alongside the town clock in the Speyside Orphanage building in the square. Speyside House, a very attractive building, still stands in the square and was converted to private flats. The clock and bell were removed in the 1980s during this conversion.
The bell was originally housed in the clock tower alongside the town clock in the Speyside Orphanage building in the square. Speyside House, a very attractive building, still stands in the square and was converted to private flats. The clock and bell were removed in the 1980s during this conversion.
Crossing the fairways of Grantown-on-Spey's golf course and part time ski run
From the Golf Course the route enters Anagach Wood. Fudge looks back to make sure I'm coming along too.
There now began a delightful 3 mile wander through woodland to Cromdale Bridge.
We were now on the Speyside Way which runs 84 miles from Newtonmore in the south to Buckie on the Moray Firth Coast
We were now on the Speyside Way which runs 84 miles from Newtonmore in the south to Buckie on the Moray Firth Coast
Fudge engages his "trundle" mode through Anagach Woods
Cromdale Bridge over the River Spey
From Cromdale Bridge we would return to the start in Grantown via the banks of the River Spey
Whilst overcast this was a delightful walk alongside the river
The route passes a small fishing lodge near Craigroy
This was lovely walking as we continued alongside the Spey
A fisherman tries his luck in the River Spey
The river is home to Atlantic Salmon, Trout, European Eel, Arctic Char, Pike, Minnow, Three-spined Stickleback and Flounder.
The river is home to Atlantic Salmon, Trout, European Eel, Arctic Char, Pike, Minnow, Three-spined Stickleback and Flounder.
At Easter Anagoch there is an option to rejoin the outward route via Anagach Woods however we decided to stay on the riverside path
Boating on the River Spey (Click Play to view)
The Old Spey Bridge
From the Old Spey Bridge the route heads up a tarmac road for about half a mile and leaves the road on the right into Anagach Woods
The route heads through the woods via an Old Military Road to exit the forest back into Grantown-on-Spey