Distance: 4 miles Time: 2 hrs Level: Easy Terrain: Pavement, rough road, woodland and grass track. Access: Arrive by car, parking is available in Reidhaven Square, Keith, AB55 5AB where the walk begins. There are regular buses running between Aberdeen and Inverness that drop off and pick up in the Square.
This beautitul walk starts not far from my home in Keith and soon takes you into the countryside, heading along quiet roads, a walk in the woods and passing some fascinating historical places along the way.
Starting in Reidhaven Square and head up Chapel Street towards St Thomas Church the Roman Catholic Church was designed by Walter Lovi, a catholic priest and architect, and William Robertson a well-regarded architect based in Elgin. It was completed in 1832. The large copper dome was added in 1916 by Charles Menart. Pass by the left hand side of the church and head straight on.
At the junction follow the blue waymarked sign and head left then take the next right, then go straight on until you come to the green waymarked signs. Here you take a left along the grass track. The path can get muddy if it has been wet. As you follow the path, if you look to the left you will get great views of the countryside, the River Isla and the track for the Keith and Dufftown railway.
When you reach the road turn right and take the road on your right passing by the house and yard before heading down the brae until you arrive at River Isla. To your right hidden in the undergrowth you will find the ruins of the former Flax Mill. Before the Distillery act of 1824 was introduced, illicit distilling and smuggling was verv popular and between 1790 and 1803.700 people in the area were fined for offences relating to distilling and smuggling. In 1790 John Taylor, the owner of the now ruined flax mill was charged with retusing to produce keys to his mill. He possibly didn't want to get caught in the act!
Head over the footbridge and continue straight on. Follow the road until you arrive at the junction. Cross over the road and go straight on following the signs for Cottage Woods. Please be careful in case there are any venices on the road, although it is quite a quiet stretch of road between the got course. There are several openings to your right along the way but ignore these until you come to the opening with some steps.
Go up the steps and onto the woodland path. Follow the path straight on enjoying the beautiful peaceful Cottage Woods. The path will turn to the right and go uphill slightly until you come to the waymarker and the opening at Regent Court. Take the path that runs along between the houses and the golf course. Go over the small footbridge to your right and follow the narrow path through the trees until you reach Mar Court.
Take a left here and at the Fife Street junction take a left and go towards Regent Square. At the square take a right down Regent Street passing by the shops until you reach the Auld Brig. The Auld Brig was built in 1609 by Thomas Murray and his wite Janet Lindsay. It was said to have been erected in memory of their son who drowned while crossing the ford. The Brig has had several repairs over the years, and the steps were added in the 1900's.
As you walk down the steps, look to your right, you will see a large stone that covers a small opening, this is known as Campbell's hole. This is where the Hanovarian Campbells took retuge from the Prince Charles Jacobites after a battle in 1746. During the extension of the nearby kirkvard, there was a communal grave found that had been named locally as Campbell's Hillock.
The Union Bridge you see to your right was built in 1770. Under the bridge there was a stone or "Scaur" where alleged witches were thrown into the deep pool of Gaun's pot. If the "witch" survived they would then be later burned.
Once over the bridge take a left and then a right passing between the graveyard and the shop. Then take a left and head along the road that runs over the railway track. Take a right here and walk along to the end of Old Toon until you get to the grass track.
Head up the grass track until you return to the junction you started at from. Go left here following the road back to the St Thomas Church then Reidhaven Square and the end of the walk.
No comments:
Post a Comment