Description
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Nairn and Forres.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
This is a Slow Ways route connecting Nairn and Forres.
Know of a better route? Share it here.
Status
This route has been reviewed by 1 person.
This route has been flagged (1 times) for reasons relating to access.
Photos for Naifor one
Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.
Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - No (1)
Problems reported - Access (1)
Downloads - 1
Surveys
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Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Nairn
Grid Ref
NH8839256521
Lat / Lon
57.58487° / -3.86836°
Easting / Northing
288,392E / 856,521N
What3Words
desktops.rushed.opposite
Forres
Grid Ref
NJ0348658775
Lat / Lon
57.60859° / -3.61692°
Easting / Northing
303,486E / 858,775N
What3Words
notes.wheat.saving
Naifor One's land is
| Nairn | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | NH8839256521 |
| Lat / Lon | 57.58487° / -3.86836° |
| Easting / Northing | 288,392E / 856,521N |
| What3Words | desktops.rushed.opposite |
| Forres | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | NJ0348658775 |
| Lat / Lon | 57.60859° / -3.61692° |
| Easting / Northing | 303,486E / 858,775N |
| What3Words | notes.wheat.saving |
| Arable | 34.1% |
| Pasture | 31.3% |
| Urban | 19.2% |
| Woods | 15.4% |
Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018
review
Jane Taylor
26 Sep 2021I mostly enjoyed walking this route, however there is an access problem at Dalvey Smithy cottages, about 2.5 km from Forres, so it can't be verified. I have made Naifor Two as a correction, and I recommend using Naifor Two for a direct, mostly quiet and rural, route from Nairn to Forres.
The problem - It looks from checking google maps that, at Dalvey Smithy cottages, access to fields leading to the west bank of the river Findhorn has been blocked recently: where there used to be clear passage there are now two gates, one with barbed wire along the top, and the track is now part of someone's garden. First pic from google maps showing clear access, second pic shows the first of the two gates now installed (the one at the other end of the track has the barbed wire).
I overcame the access problem by walking round the side of the property where I found a padlocked gate and fence with barbed wire (pic three) - someone has snipped the barbed wire out enough to make a precarious stile out of the fence, so I got over and completed the route, but I can't verify it as good enough for Slow Ways!
The path that has been blocked is not a 'core path'. I have plotted an alternative, more direct, route, using core paths in the Forres area, for Naifor two. This takes 1km off the route length, but cuts out the bit by the river, which was rather nice; however I think there is scope for a longer route option which is almost entirely off-road, using the forestry tracks in the Culbin Forest, and the river crossing could be included in that.
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Jane Taylor
26 Sep 2021edited to add - I changed Naifor two after I wrote this review, it now goes via Brodie, which means it isn't 1km shorter and isn't more direct, but it is better connected and has a proper refreshment stop!
Lee Dyson
02 Jul 2023Hi Jane, As the owner of the Old Smiddy on this route, I'd like to clarify this if I may. Prior to the flood alleviation works in Forres, the track at the side of my house was the official vehicular access to the fields and railway line. The landowner (Dalvey Estate), the farmer, and Network Rail had a right of access to that track.
During the flood alleviation works, an official track was created (your 3rd picture). All authorised vehicular access is now via that track. As you point out, that gate is padlocked. It's not mine, but my understanding is that the farmer, network rail et. al all have keys to that padlock.
The grey painted gate (in your 2nd picture) belongs to me. This is not, and never has been locked. The gate behind that (the metal one) belongs to the Dalvey Estate (not me) as does the field. This gate is also not locked.
While the small strip of land down the track leading to the field behind is my property, I don't consider it part of my garden. The track is used by walkers and cyclists all the time, they just open the gate, and close it behind them. I try to trim the grass down there occasionally as the heating oil delivery tanker needs occasional access.
The grey painted gate is there to discourage unauthorised vehicular access, and certainly not intended to impinge on anyone's access on foot, bicycle or horse-back. I support the slow-ways movement, and would hate to be considered a stick-in-the-mud for obstructing anyone's right-to-roam.
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