Grantown Heritage Trail, Anagach Woods & Viewpoint walks

The Grantown Heritage Walk is a fascinating trail featuring twenty-one informative plaques, each detailing the town’s history and significant buildings. Initiated by The Grantown Society and supported by the Co-op Local Community Fund who raised over £4000, the trail encourages residents and visitors to explore the Strathspey capital’s rich heritage.

Heritage plaque in Woodside Avenue

The trail can begin in Castle Road leading out of Grantown to Castle Grant and onwards to Forres and Nairn. In this vicinity was a previous inn, grammar school and police station. Approaching the historic heart of the town, more plaques are dotted around The Square on the Court House, Morlich House, Grant Arms Hotel and Speyside House. Heading down the High St beside the old Post Office, you will notice a gold letter box with a plaque and the background to Craig MacLean, our 2012 Olympic gold medal winner.

Following the trail to the west end of the town and the Craiglynne Hotel, one returns via Woodside Avenue past the Military Road, and Primary School, finally to the Grantown Museum which continues the story of Grantown since 1765. Each plaque has a QR code opening up further information on the Society’s website.

Anagach Woods

Situated to the south and west of Grantown , these woods came into community ownership in 2002 and are managed by the Anagach Woods Trust. Much cherished by the community, they are a jewel in Grantown’s crown and a huge asset for visitors and residents to enjoy the wildlife, fresh air and woodland setting. Its certainly very popular with dog walkers, ornithologists and there’s even a section set aside for mountain bike skills.

Anagach Woods and Military Road

Originally mixed woodland it was planted in the late 1700’s by Sir James Grant of Grant from pine cones gathered locally. There was once a Loch Anagach which was subsequently drained and a ford across the River Spey from which the woodland and adjoining farms take their name (dangerous ford).

There are numerous paths leading into the woods but the main one from the Square goes down Forest Road past the Fire Station to the old Military Road. New information signs are planned at the entrance and there are coloured wooden posts which direct a choice of routes through the woods. It is possible to spend the whole time walking through the woods exploring the numerous paths. Alternatively join a stretch of the Speyside Way towards Cromdale or exit the woods onto the minor road to the Old Spey Bridge, built by the British army in 1754 and return along the banks of the River Spey to Grantown.

There is a rich canopy of Scots Pine, rowan, birch and alder with a carpet of blaeberry and cranberry beneath. If your lucky you might spot red squirrels and crested tits and perhaps the shy Capercailzie.           

Viewpoint Walk

This three mile way-signed walk from the Square rewards the walker with magnificent views south to the Northern Cairngorms and a panorama from Ben Rinnes in the east to Glen Feshie and beyond in the west.

From the Square head north along Seafield Avenue to the Caravan park and the Dulaig. Go under the old railway bridge and right at the Dreggie water-falls. Here is an information board for the walk and the Dava Way which comprises part of the walk along the former railway line. The railway line has long since gone, opened as the main line from Perth to Inverness in 1863 it finally closed on 18 Oct 1965. About a 100m along the Dava Way, a wicket gate on the left directs the path uphill to a bench and second wicket gate. One can stop here for a rest and admire the view over Grantown to the Cromdale Hlls.

Cairngorms from Viewpoint Cairn in winter

Passing through the gate, the route is less steep through birch trees and Scots Pine. The path joins the farm road to Achosnich and a little further on the right perched above 300m (1000 ft), among a hillock of pine trees stands the Viewpoint Cairn. Sit and admire the view which on a good day in any season is one of the best in the area. Erected in 1914 and once maintained by the Grantown Amenities Association this walk and cairn remains as popular as ever.

To return to Grantown follow the way you came or take the farm road downhill to rejoin the former railway line near the main road. This will lead back to the Dreggie Falls. Alternatively join the main road back into Grantown by the Health Centre but beware of the traffic as there is no pavement for some of the way.