(011) Duff House and the Bridge of Alvah Circular (Aberdeenshire)

Route Summary
A good walk through broadleaf woods and farmland, with historical points of interest along the way including the pretty Bridge of Alvah, set high above the River Deveron. Unusually, the return route passes through a working distillery before arriving at the Moray Firth coastline.

Duration: 3 hours.

Route Overview
Duration: 3 hours.
Transport/Parking: Stagecoach service 35 from Aberdeen. Check timetable. There is a large car-park at Duff House.
Length: 8.910 km / 5.57 mi
Height Gain: 162 meter Height Loss: 162 meter
Max Height: 85 meter Min Height: 3 meter
Surface: Moderate. Mostly good estate roads or tarred surfaces.
Child Friendly: Yes, if children are used to walks of this distance and overall ascent.
Difficulty: Medium.
Dog Friendly: Yes. On lead on public roads.
Refreshments: The Tea Room in Duff House comes well recommended – especially the Cullen Skink!

Description
This is a varied walk from the grounds of Duff House, an impressive early Georgian stately home, now open to visitors as a country house gallery displaying collections from the National Galleries of Scotland. The route never strays far from the River Deveron although the river only figures prominently in the landscape at the Bridge of Alvah mid-point, and near the end, where it meets the sea. The first section is in broadleaf woodland cover where you will encounter the ice house for Duff House and the grand mausoleum building for the Earls’ of Fife family. As the walk progresses, views open out to the rolling Banffshire farmland to the south-west of the town. These fine views continue to develop after crossing the Bridge of Alvah. This handsome bridge, set high above deep salmon pools on the River Deveron, in a beautiful wooded gorge, was completed in 1773 to link the farming communities on both sides of the river. On the gentle downhill return, there is a captivating view of Banff and Banff Bridge. This section of the route also passes through the Macduff Distillery, home of the Glen Deveron Malt. The functions of the key buildings are clearly marked, making for an interesting passage. Before returning to Duff House, we pass over the attractive seven-arch 18th Century Banff Bridge where there are fine views of the river, the golf course, the beach, and the town of Banff beyond.