KNOCKANDO.
Cardhu Distillery has a Visitor Centre.
About 2 miles along the road towards Elgin.
The story of the origins of the distillery is fascinating.
The Cumming family came from Elchies , another part of the parish, to take out a lease on Cardow farm in 1811. They prospered as farmers but were made even more prosperous by the illicit distilling of fine malt whisky ! The story goes that Helen Cumming used to put up a red flag to warn other distillers in the area when the Excise people were around.
Their widowed daughter-in-law eventually took over the business in 1872.
Elizabeth Cumming quickly became a successful entrepreneur and in 1884 she constructed new premises next to the farm. Cardow Distillery was born.
The old equipment was acquired by the new Glenfiddich Distillery.
The distillery was sold to John Walker & Sons of Kilmarcock in 1893 and a year later Elizabeth died.
The spelling is now Cardhu.
Knockando Woolmill.
About a mile along the road towards Elgin.
Victorian carding, spinning and weaving machinery.
Visitor Centre, shop and café. See the website for opening times. www.kwc.co.uk
ARCHIESTOWN. 4 miles on road to Elgin.
Small village.
Post Office and small shop.
Hotel with bar and restaurant.
BALLINDALLOCH. 6 Miles on main road to Grantown.
Go along to Blacksboat, cross the Spey, go up the hill, turn right on to the main road.
Shop, Post Office, Petrol, Diesel.
The Delnashaugh Hotel has a bar and restaurant.
Just before the hotel is the road to Glenlivet and Tomintoul.
Turn left at the top of the hill at Marypark for Glenfarclas Distillery, one of the few independents left.
It has a nice Visitor Centre.
Walks
Roy’s Hill, at the front of the cottage. You may walk through the fields to get to the track leading to the top of the hill but it might be better going along the road in the direction of Blacksboat and taking the first turning to the right.
Speyside Way. Part of it follows the old railway line from Ballindalloch to Craigellachie and is easy walking. There is a spur to Dufftown. Nearest points Blacksboat Station south ; Knockando (Tamdhu) Station north.
Loch of the Cowlett – a circular walk of about 12 miles. Walk along the road in the Elgin direction for about 1/2 mile and take the road to Leakin Farm. At the farm, bear left and follow the rough track to Clune Lodge.and then down to the Dallas road.
There are many more walks in the area ; see the books and Ordnance Survey maps.
WILDLIFE.
There are lots of birds around. Try to spot the following ;
Blue tit, Great tit, Coal tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Thrush, Pigeon, Pheasant, Grouse, Partridge, Heron, Dipper, Mallard, Oyster Catcher, Various Gulls, Crows..
If you don’t see Curlew, Snipe or Lapwing you should hear them, especially the curlew.
You are more likely to see a curlew flying to its nest further up the burn than in a nearby field.
There are red squirrels in the area although they are getting fewer.
Here is one stealing the birds’ nuts.
You may see some roe deer in the fields.
Be careful if you are driving ; they may jump out in front of you.