A Spectacular Walk Around Logie Windfarm

This is possibly one of the lesser known walks at Logie, but arguably the one with the most awesome and far-reaching views. On a day like this you can see from here down to Findhorn, across the Moray Firth to the Black Isle and the snowcapped hills beyond. Whatever your view of windfarms (and we know that these are many and varied), this route provides a relatively easy way to access some hills and views that haven’t previously been easy to reach without some decent local knowledge, fitness and some seriously sturdy footwear. It would be fantastic if more people knew about it. The track is graded and surfaced with compacted hardcore all the way around so very easy to walk or cycle on – we were two toddlers in pushchairs, two mums and two very happy dogs.

The practicalities: Where to start

The easiest way to enjoy this walk is to drive to the wind farm gates, park there and walk up the to the circular route and make the most of the views from the various angles around the top. If you’re coming from Forres, you follow the A940 towards Grantown. Pass the brown sign for Logie Steading and the turning on your left is just over a mile further on, signposted ‘Half Davoch’ and is just before Edinkillie Hall. Follow this road for about a mile and you’ll see the wind farm entrance on your right just before the road turns round a sharp left hand bend.

The route is suitable to use by foot, bicycle or on horseback, but not by motorised vehicles (except maintenance vehicles). You can also reach Logie Windfarm from the Dava Way – turn off the Dava Way at the Logie Windfarm signs, follow the graded track until you reach the tarmac road where you turn left for a few hundred yards and then you’ll see the wind farm entrance on your right.

Logie Windfarm walk sign map

You can’t get lost!

At least I don’t think you could – if I can’t get lost then there’s hope for everyone. Simply head past the boulders to the right of the entrance gates and on up the track. (Ellie has turned the pushchairs around to face me in the picture below but the sun’s behind them so you can’t see them anyway!)

the-track-up-to-Logie-Windfarm-525x700

Further up the hill the walk becomes a circuit, and while there are spurs off this route, they are simply dead-ends running to the turbines. These side-spurs are interesting to explore in themselves and give many different views of the surrounding countryside from each one. We headed straight up the hill and took the route on an anticlockwise circuit. Our first major view out was across moorland and hills as far as the eye could see.

moorland-views-from-Logie-Windfarm

Logie Primary School’s Plantation

At about the highest point on the route there’s a little building – the control centre. Just beyond this there is a small plantation of young trees. We went to have a look and see how they’re getting on. These young trees are all native species. They were planted at the official opening of the windfarm in 2017 by the children of Logie Primary School and Douglas Ross, Moray’s serving MP.

My Favourite View from the Trail

Taking the route anticlockwise seems to make the best of my personal favourite view out to the Moray Firth as you see it all the way down the hill after you leave the Logie School trees. If you venture out along the spur about half way down on your right you can see even more of the view. This isn’t the best photo I’m afraid – even with light like this I was only using my phone and it just can’t manage the vast distance – but you may be able to spot Findhorn Bay, Culbin Forest on the left, the Moray Firth and the snow-capped hills far beyond.

looking-at-Findhorn-from-Logie-Windfarm

Happy dogs

From here you just follow the path round a bit further until it rejoins the original track and head back to the start. I just couldn’t resist posting one more gratuitous photo of the dogs – they might not have been admiring the views but they probably had the most fun of all!

dog-walk-at-Logie-Windfarm

Some tips

There’s a clue in the name, but it’s high and this walk can be very windy – wrap up! If it’s a clear day, don’t forget binoculars as if your eyesight’s good enough you can really see across several counties (if it’s not, please come back another time as the views are what this walk is all about). It is a walk for all seasons – the day shown in these pictures was in January, cold, crisp, not too windy, and amazingly clear and bright – and the hard corse surface means that it is doable underfoot in most weather conditions. And if you’ve got a bit chilly on the walk, why not head back down the hill to Logie Steading for a hot cuppa at the cafe or a mooch around the shops to warm you up!

 

Jo Laing, January 2019

Logie Windfarm
30 January 2019
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A Spectacular Walk Around Logie Windfarm

Terms & Conditions for fishing on Logie Estate

  1. Fishing on the river is restricted to 2 rods per beat and is to be by fly only. All fishing is from the right bank. By arrangement with the neighbouring estate there is no left bank fishing on the Relugas Middle and Top beats.
  2. The fishing is split into two 2 rod beats, Logie and Relugas, with Relugas sub divided into Middle and Top.  Beats can be taken together or separately. Logie is fished Monday to Saturday, Relugas Middle on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Relugas Top on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Beats change at midnight.
  3. Fishermen must contact Logie Estate office on 01309 611300 a day or so before arrival to organise being shown onto the river. A map of pools, beats and access routes will be provided.
  4. Bio-security is important to the future of the river and anglers are asked to observe protection measures. The Findhorn District Fishery Board Conservation Code will be strictly observed. To summarise: All fish caught up to 14th May inclusive must be released. From 15th May, all salmon over 9 lbs / 4 kg / 28 inches / 72 cm are to be returned.  Below that measurement at least 70% of salmon and 50% of grilse caught should be released and a maximum of 1 salmon and / or 2 grilse per rod per week may be retained. In September all fish are to be returned. No gaffs or tailers are allowed.
  5. The Findhorn District Fishery Board Bio-security measures will be strictly observed and all fishermen in the party must sign the Bio-security Declaration. (Also available at http://www.fnlft.org.uk/downloads/)
  6. The Estate recommends that barbless hooks are used, fishermen are in possession of a disgorger and that knotless nets are used. All possible care should be taken when returning fish to the river, they should be handled as little, and gently, as possible and should not be removed from the water.
  7. The catch should be reported at the end of each day of fishing to Logie Estate Office on 01309 611300. If the office is closed, please leave a message on the answering machine with the date, weight and pool. Please also report a nil catch day.
  8. Dogs are allowed on the river but must be kept strictly under control at all times. The Estate reserves the right to ask tenants to remove dogs if they are considered to be out of control.
  9. Rod, line and fly size are dependent on prevailing weather and water conditions and personal choice. In general, maximum rod length needed is 13ft with a size 8 or 9 line, usually floating. Fly sizes range from 6 – 8 in the spring down to 12 or less in summer low water.
  10. Safety must be considered at all times. All beats have a variety of pools with some suitable for most heights of water. Little wading is necessary and river paths are good however the fishing is within the Findhorn gorge, access to some of the pools is quite steep and a degree of rock scrambling is often necessary when playing and landing fish. Please be aware that a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required. A buoyancy aid for each rod is provided and should be collected from Logie Estate Office on arrival, and returned to the Estate Office (or to the outbuilding opposite if office is closed) on departure. Logie Estate strongly recommends that buoyancy aids are worn when fishing and not doing so is entirely at fishermen’s own risk. Please pay attention at all times, avoid slips and falls, wear appropriate footwear, look out for overhead electricity lines, watch the weather and pay attention to livestock. Take extra care if fishing alone.
  11. Anglers need to supply or hire their own equipment (except buoyancy aids, which are provided).
  12. Ghillieing/tuition is available by on a first come, first served basis. This must be booked in advance with the Estate Office and is subject to availability. A half day ghillieing/tuition is approx. 3 hours, full day approx. 6 hours. Please contact the estate office or check our website for current rates. Rates do not include discretionary tips.
  13. Rod, Reel & Line hire is available by on a first come, first served basis. This must be booked in advance with the Estate Office and is subject to availability. Please contact the estate office or check our website for current rates. A rod, reel and line set is for one person and is subject to a fully refundable damage deposit of £100.
  14. Aside from fishermen, others, including rafters and kayakers, enjoy this stretch of river and mutual respect and consideration is expected.
  15. Bookings are confirmed when initial payment is received. Subsequent changes in dates or number or rods are entirely subject to the Estate’s discretion and to availability. Change of dates, if accepted, incur an administration fee. In the event of a cancellation the tenant must advise Logie Estate immediately, whereupon Logie will endeavour to re-let. If a new tenant can be found the deposit will be returned less any expenses incurred for advertising, office costs, etc., and less any shortfalls in discounted list price. Until such time as a vacancy has been re-let the hirer is responsible for making any further payment by the due dates. Failure to do so may mean that the hirer forfeits any refund if the dates are re-let. If it is not possible to re-let, all payments are still payable by the due date(s). It is unlikely that a refund can be made for a late cancellation. Logie Estate recommends that fishermen take out relevant cancellation insurance.
  16. Subletting fishing is only allowed with Logie Estate’s permission.
  17. Logie Estate reserves the right to immediately withdraw fishing without compensation from anyone who breaks these or associated conditions, or flouts normal standards of behaviour or fishing etiquette.