Active Travel Forres volunteers Marie Jacques and Jennifer Matheson walked from Forres to Cullen, reviewing the route for pedestrians on foot and wheels
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A DUO from Forres walked 50 miles along a local scenic route to see how it can be improved.
Pensioners Marie Jacques and Jennifer Matheson of Active Travel Forres (ATF) followed the Moray Coastal Path from Forres to Cullen in stages, looking at accessibility and suitability for wheelers as well as walkers, as well as the availability of public transport - all while raising funds for the group.
The pair travelled from: Forres to Findhorn; Findhorn to Burghead; Burghead to Hopeman; Hopeman to Lossiemouth; Lossiemouth to Kingston; Kingston to Port Gordon; Port Gordon to Findochty; and Findochty to Cullen over a few weeks.
“The walks were enjoyable and exhilarating,” said Ms Jacques. “We are both the fitter for it and our stamina and walking speed have increased. We finished the last five mile section in one hour 45 minutes - not bad for two ladies of a certain age! Having a companion made the miles seem shorter and proved invaluable in extracting me from a gorse bush when I fell into it! As well as wonderful and varied scenery, we saw plenty of wildlife including seabirds, a heron, an otter and grazing deer.”
Due to prior commitments such as holidays, visitors and dog care availability, the friends were unable to do the 50 miles without rests between each leg so returned to Forres after each stage.
Their report on the seven mile Findhorn Heritage Museum to Burghead route confirmed public transport is available via Stagecoach’s hourly service, the number 32 bus from Forres High Street to Elgin Bus Station via the centre of Findhorn.
Ms Jacques said: “The going is varied, starting with dune land then forest trail, and is suitable for walkers and cyclists. It’s also possible to walk along the beach for all or part of the way at low tide. The museum and Moray Coastal Trail is clearly signposted.
“The pathway is wide through gorse covered dunes and leads to Dunes Road. It crosses Dunes Road, after skirting a line of Second World War anti-tank blocks. Although it is well signed on the roadside, it becomes confused with evidence of other paths and cycle activity. There is no signage for the first half mile, then the path becomes more apparent and is well marked. Because of loose sand, this section would not be suitable for wheelchairs. At wire fencing around Kinloss Barracks, the path turns towards the beach and becomes a narrow but cycle-able path, leading to Roseisle Woods. The path is then wide and easy to follow to Burghead. It emerges at Burghead Caravan Park and leads cyclists though the village to join the next part of the route. Walkers can turn right after leaving the caravan park and follow Station Road.”
The Forres walkers met several enthusiastic cyclists, including a father and son, cycling from Burghead to Findhorn.
Ms Jacques said: “This seemed a long seven mile walk, but it was marked by our fist sighting of a sea otter and was preferable to walking on metalled roads. Better signage from Dunes Road would be an obvious and straightforward improvement.”
Ms Jacques and Ms Matheson are raising funds via sponsorship for Active Travel Forres, which aims to identify, improve and extend local pedestrian routes.
“There is a huge amount of gorse along all legs of the trail,” said “In several patches along the Hopeman to Lossie section, its needles are capable of bursting even the thickest off-road cycle tyres. All along the trail, friendly and helpful people put us right when we were in doubt or had missed a path. In particular, after our 18km scramble from Lossie, a cup of tea and biscuits from the Community Hub at Garmouth were very welcome!”
She finished: “Stagecoach or MConnect buses can get you to the start of all the legs we walked and bring you back to Forres.
“We have been overwhelmed by support and so far we have received over £600 for negotiations and materials. Many thanks to all who contributed!”
For more information about Active Travel Forres, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/785618812545475/
