Latest News
Newsdate 2nd February 2012
Due to essential works urgently required on the Ballindalloch Viaduct this bridge will be closed to pedestrian access for 4 weeks commencing Monday 13th February through to Friday 9th March.
If this causes anyone concerns re planning to walk this section of the Speyside Way during this time period then please contact the Moray Council Ranger Service , tel: 01340 881266.
Click here PDF for a map showing the closed Ballindalloch Viaduct.
Newsdate 26th September 2011
The power line between Dell Road, Nethybridge and the edge of RSPB ground at Croftronan is being removed.
A Diversion will be put in place to protect the public.
Click here PDF for a map showing the pylon removal and proposed Diversion.
Newsdate 9th November 2010
Timber operations in Tominuird Wood have finished, and the diversion has been removed.
Thank you for your patience.
Newsdate 30th September 2010
Update on Tominuird Wood.
Felling in Tom an Uird Wood is ongoing and has been extended for another 2 weeks. It is estimated that felling will be complete by the 15th of October. The diversion along the minor road to Cromdale is still in place.
Newsdate 31st August 2010
Important Notice
Due to felling operations the section of the Speyside Way through Tom an Uird Wood between Mains of Dalvey and Cromdale will be closed for three weeks from the 3rd of September 2010. Please use the signed alternative along the minor road from Milton via Rynaballoch to meet with the Speyside Way at Cromdale as shown on the map below. This diversion will add approximately 2 miles onto the Ballindalloch to Grantown section of the route and you should add an extra hour onto your route time. (See map below)
The diversion is all on minor roads, so beware of traffic, but it offers some fantastic views of the Hills of Cromdale and if you have time why not explore the ruins of Lethendry Castle and the Haughs of Cromdale where in 1690 Government forces crushed the first Jacobite uprising. Standing by Clach nam Piobair (the Pipers Stone) you hear the mewing of buzzards but listen hard and you might just hear the skirl of pipes echoing down the ages.
Newsdate 8th June 2010
Cairngorms National Park staff have let us know that all the fallen trees on their section of the route (including the Tomintoul Spur) have now been cleared. The staus of the two landslips( see 16th April, below) remains unchanged.
Newsdate 17th May 2010
The Speyside Way has a new northern terminus in the town centre of Buckie. Established as part of a town centre re-generation scheme, the new official start/finish point replaces the previous location at Buckpool Harbour.
Please note that the waymarking is not yet in place between the new start point and the old one at Buckpool Harbour - there has been a slight delay in delivery of the wall mounted signs. Please make your way down the hill towards the shore and turn left (west) along Baron Street and the Yardie.
It will also be some time beforeany of the published literature about the Speyside Way catches up - guides and maps will continue to show the start as being at Buckpool Harbour until such time as re-prints are issued. Sorry for any confusion.
Newsdate 20th April
Fallen trees!
Can we point out that users of the route may well encounter fallen trees in places, involving either a scramble or an excursion into a neighbouring field to get past. The Tomintoul Spur south of Cairn Daimh is reported to be particularly badly affected, and the section between Advie and Cromdale also has one or two obstacles. These are a cumulative consequence of the very heavy and repeated snowfalls that this area has experienced this winter, and we thank you for your patience while these are cleared by the appropriate authority.
Newsdate 16th Apri
Update on landslips.
Bank erosion near Spey Bay.
Very much a case of deja vue here - see newsdate 12th March 2008 below! A diversion is in place round this problem area again, and will be in place for some time.
Knockando slip.
This has now sunk considerably and is now threatening the water main buried under the track, though the puzzle is where the material is going, since the bank below remains unbroken and the trees are standing upright!Scottish Water is now involved, and we cannot at the moment predict what will happen next.
For the moment, the track is still open and passable with care.
News Date 2nd February 2010
Landslip at Knockando.
An area of landslip has been cordonned off between Carron and Knockando. This is potentially very serious for the Speyside Way, but until the snow melts we cannot fully assess the damage. The Way is not currently closed at this point, but the situation could worsen at any time. Approach and pass the area with great caution.
News Date 9th September 2009
Fochabers diversion. Because of extensive flood damage in and around Fochabers, it has been necessary to put a substantial diversion in place - this may be in force for some time.(see map below)
From the north. Leave the waymarked route in the Fochabers Bicentennial Park and follow the A96 along the High Street in Fochabers as far as East Street. Turn southwards on East Street, which becomes Ordiequish Road, and continue on this road until you pick up the waymarkers again.
From the south. Instead of turning off Ordiequish road onto a grassy path at the point marked 'Ordiequish road junction' on the map above, follow this road all the way into Fochabers, where it becomes East Street. Where East Street meets the High Street, turn left and follow this main road through the village until just before the road bridge over the River Spey. Turn left into the Fochabers Bicentennial Park where you will pick up the waymarked route again.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
News Date 7th September 2009
Flooding. The Speyside Way has once again sufferred substantial flood damage, mainly in the vicinity of Fochabers, and will be impassable on the waymarked route in several places for some time. We are still checking out the extent of the damage, and looking for other areas that may be affected.
Whilst we will do our best to waymark alternative routes, in the first instance you may have to use your initiative (or a map, or both!) to get past the impassable sections. Please take great care.
Damage in Fochabers 06/09/09
News Date 25th May 2009
With Friday's ministerial announcement, the completion of the Speyside Way may at last be in sight after 27 years of development!
The press release is quoted below:
"Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham has approved, in principle, the extension of the Speyside Way through the Cairngorms National Park between Aviemore and Newtonmore.
The decision follows the long held desire of communities within Badenoch and Strathspey for the lengthening of the path, which currently runs from Spey Bay to Aviemore.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), which drew up the report for the Minister on the best route to take, has welcomed the Minister’s decision.
The next stage of the process will be to develop a funding package and seek planning and other permissions for the route. The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), working along with key partners will be starting to take both these tasks forward over the next few months.
David Green, the CNPA’s Convener, said: “The need to improve walking and cycling links between Aviemore and the communities to the south is long overdue. The approval from the Minister gives the green light for this to go ahead and whilst a great deal of work still remains to be done, I welcome this announcement.”
Local Highland Councillor and CNPA board member Gregor Rimmell welcomed the decision of the Minister.
He added: “Highland Council is looking forward to playing its part with partners in developing the route.”
Mr Rimell added his thanks to fellow Highland Councillor and CNPA board member Dave Fallows for all his work and to CNPA officials<"
News Date 17th Feb 2009
Most of the snow has disappeaed after a dramatic thaw over the weekend (the temperature has risen some 25 degrees from -15 last week to +10 this week!). Staff are hard at work clearing up fallen trees and broken branches. The Speyside Way itself is mostly clear again, though the former Dufftown Spur is a real mess and will be difficult for some time. The whole route is, though, very wet throughout (flooding may be a short term problem in places) and will take some time to dry out.
News Date 9th Feb 2009
An almost unprecedented dump of 60cm of level snow in mid-Speyside has left the Speyside Way virtually impassable in several locations, both because of the sheer depth of snow and the trees brought down by the weight of the snow - see below:
Staff are assessing the situation (with difficulty!) this week to see the full extent of the problem. The snow is not expected to thaw this week and, for the moment, our advice is to avoid planning any extensive journeys on the route until further notice.
News Date 26th January 2009
After extensive local consultations, long awaited proposals for extending (completing!) the Speyside Way to Newtonmore have been submitted by SNH to Scottish Government for approval in principle. A response from the Minister, Mike Russell, is expected by the end of February. If this is favourable, then a full package of proposals will be submitted shortly thereafter, hopefully leading quickly to formal designation.
It is still not possible to predict a completion date, but things are moving forward at last.
News Date 23rd June 2008
Repairs now completed to the Spey Bay to Fochabers section, and the diversion has been removed. Thanks for your patience.
News Date 12th March 2008
As you can see from this photo, because of recent flood damage the Speyside Way is no longer passable - indeed it no longer exists - for a section between Spey Bay and Fochabers.
A temporary by-pass has been waymarked round the washed out area - take care, since further flooding may cause further, more extensive damage.
News Date 17nd November 2007
The Visitor Centre has closed for the winter, re-opening April 2008. You can still buy our DVD, Maps and Guides through the Moray Council Online Shop. The DVD makes a great Xmas gift!
News Date 2nd May 2007
The Speyside Way Visitor Centre in Aberlour is now open for the summer season. New amongst our 'on sale' items for 2007 are our 'Fly-thru' DVD and a new edition of the Rucksack Reader.
News Date 22nd November 2006
The Speyside Way Visitor Centre and Ranger Service have been awarded a 'Highly Commended' accolade at the recent Northen Lights Tourism Awards event in Aberdeen, in the 'Visitor Experience' category. Winner of the category was Crathes Castle.
News Date 15th November 2006
A new edition of the 'Rucksack Reader' guide to the Speyside Way is being prepared, and is expected to appear in the shops in March 2007. Watch this website for details, or visit http://www.rucsacs.com/books/ssw/ for the latest news.
News Date 21st June 2005
The brand new opened its doors to the public on June 15th. Although still under development, there are some striking exibits on Speyside wildlife and cultural heritage, including a video of the days of steam on the Strathspey Railway. Open 7 days per week, 10am to 5pm.
News Date 8th April 2005.
The public consultation on the proposed extension of the Speyside Way to Newtonmore is now closed. A report will appear on this site in due course.
News Date 30th November 2004
The Speyside Way offices and visitor centre have now moved from Craigellachie to Aberlour (see news date 25/03/04 below). The new building, an extension of the former Aberlour Railway Station, became operational 0n the 29th November. New interpretaive facilities will be designed and installed over the winter, and will open to the public in time for the summer of 2005. The postal address of the new facility is The Speyside Way Visitor Centre, Old Station Building, Aberlour, Banffshire AB38 9QP, other contact details remain unchanged.
