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THE FINDHORN VALLEY AND CAWDOR CASTLE
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| This route uses the B9007 from near Carrbridge and thereafter some
quite narrow but very quiet roads that take you to a part of the Findhorn Valley that few
locals know of - a place of magical wild beauty that comes highly recommended. |
From Newtonmore, take the
old A9 through Kingussie and Aviemore. On reaching Carrbridge, turn right at the far end
of the village, towards Dulnain Bridge, and after two miles, take the left
turn onto the B9007 to Glenferness, Forres and Nairn.
This road crosses the moor and after several miles, Lochindorb can be seen in the distance
on the right. |
| As you come down off the moor, and reach the first
trees, shortly after crossing a small bridge, turn left onto the single track road to
Dulsie
Bridge. Stop as you come down towards the bridge,
which crosses the River Findhorn, and take a short walk through a gate on the left and
round to a splendid vantage point from which you look down onto the dark waters of the
Findhorn and the bridge, high above the river. |
Continue on this road for another
half mile and keep a lookout for another left turn up a
single track road, which leads to Drynachan. This road
follows (more or less) the River upstream, but winds it's way up and down hills sometimes
close to the river, sometimes high above it. (If you are wary of heights, an
alternative (and shorter) route is to continue along the road after Dulsie Bridge, rather
than turning left.) |
| Back on the road to Drynachan, you can find several
good picnic spots by the river, before reaching Drynachan - a shooting lodge down on your left, where you need to turn
SHARP right up the hill. Many red squirrels, and even wildcats can be seen hereabouts,
so keep a sharp lookout. There are many hazel trees around Drynachan, so it's a good spot
for those elusive squirrels! |
Follow the road up the hill and over the moor -
when you come down from the moor, you reach a T junction where you
bear left (the road coming in from your right is the direct route from Dulsie
Bridge) and keep on, through Clunas to the village of Cawdor,
where the Castle will be obvious. Stop here and take a look
round the Castle and it's Gardens. This is a magnificent castle, with connections all the
way back to Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', and well worth the admission price. |
Cawdor Castle |
| Once you have enjoyed the castle, follow the road to
Croy, and on towards Daviot, where you
join the A9. Turn south and return by the main road to
Newtonmore. This is not a long trip in mileage terms, but take your time and enjoy some
real out-of-the-way places, and it's easily a full day. |
< Day Tours
by Car Page
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