There is currently no regular public transport between Forres and Grantown. The only public transport along the length of the Dava Way is a bus service between Forres and Edinkillie Church. This morning and afternoon weekday service is provided by Moray Council, and operates during school term times – 312 Timetable or tel: 01343 562569. Alternatively you can use the local taxi firms. The map shows convenient points for pick up / drop off for taxis, and for parking. All distances are measured from the end of the walk, it is an additional 1 mile (2km) to Forres centre and ½ mile (1km) to Grantown centre.

Drop off / pick up points and parking

Note: The only official car parks are in Forres and Grantown, Edinkillie Hall and at Huntly’s Cave.

Mannachie Avenue (NJ 035575)

There is on street parking where the residential road crosses the path of the old railway line. Several cars can park here and there is a gentle slope down to the old track bed. Good access for all users. On the north side of the road there are steeps steps down on to a short (200m) section of the track bed that is not officially part of the Dava Way.

Dalla Dhu Distillery (NJ036566)

Dallas Dhu Distillery – photo by Andy Williams

Although the distillery itself is closed to the public at the moment (Summer 2023) the public car park (with picnic benches) is open beside the access ramp up to the Dava Way.

NB the ramp has two sharp bends making it difficult to use with a wheelchair or a large buggy.

Rafford road bridge (NJ050558)

Rafford Bridge. Parking space this side and access to the path the other side.

2 miles (3 km) outside Forres the Dava Way crosses over the minor road linking Rafford with Dallas Dhu. There is space for 3 or 4 cars on the west side of the bridge. On the east side of the bridge there is a path which follows a gentle slope up to the Dava Way itself.

Clashdhu (NJ031523)

Parking area at Clashdhu

5 miles (8 km) from the Forres start the Dava Way crosses the northern arm of the Half Davoch road. There is space for several cars here and there is level access to the path northwards and the path southwards follows an incline through the woods on to the old railway line.

Dunphail (NJ015483)

The picnic site at Dunphail

Dunphail is 8 miles (13 km) from Forres, 15 miles (23 km) from Grantown. Here the Dava Way passes under the southern loop of the Half Davoch road and passes close by Edenkillie Hall. There is ample parking at the Hall which is located by the junction of the Half Davoch road with the A940 Forres to Grantown-on-Spey road. The Dunphail Breathing Space is here. There is level access direct on the old railway trackbed north from here whilst the path south goes through the woods on a short diversion around the old Dunphail station as it is now a private house.

Bantrach (NJ024461)

Bantrach Parking area

Bantrach is 9½ miles (15 km) from Forres, 13½ miles (21 km) from Grantown. A minor road leaves the A940 Forres to Grantown road as it winds past Edenkillie church. This single track road passes under the viaduct; turn off right passing over the ancient Bantrach bridge. Ahead, at a sharp bend, a track leads up to the Dava Way. There is space for several cars here.

Dava (NJ007390)

There is some space on the verge here where a few cars could park.

Dava is 15 miles (23 km) from Forres and 8 miles (15 km) from Grantown. The route passes within 50 metres of the main road where there is limited parking for one or two cars on the verge.

Huntly’s Cave (NJ023326)

Cairngorms National Park Car Park.

3½ miles (6 km) from Grantown the Dava Way passes Huntly’s Cave to join the open moor. A track leads from here up to the Cairngorms National Park Car Park. Space for several cars. NB There is a stile to cross and a steep path down from the car park and the Dava Way so this is not a good place to access the path with a bike.

Lynmore Woods

Home Farm Lane where the Dava Way continues northwards

2 miles outside Grantown, just north of Lady Catherine’s Halt (NJ033302), the Dava Way leaves the railway trackbed and is routed on a new path through the Lynmore Woods. It is possible to join the Dava Way at Home Farm Lane (NJNJ033308) or Lochgorm (NJ033313). Either point makes a convenient point to access the path for all users.

Forres taxi firms

Mundole taxis: 01309 673168

Len’s taxis: 01309 673363

Spot On Cabs : 01309 671717

Grantown taxi firms

Town taxis: 01479 872160

Bus services

Stagecoach provide a regular and frequent service connecting Forres with Aberdeen and Inverness. They also run a service connecting Grantown with Aviemore and Inverness. For timetables go to the Stagecoach web site or contact Traveline Scotland on 0871 2002233. Moray Council operates a ‘Dial A Bus’ service which operates in rural areas as far as Dava. Bookings must be made before 15:00hrs the day before by telephoning 0300 1234565.

Train services

Forres station is on the Aberdeen to Inverness line operated by Scotrail. The nearest station to Grantown is at Aviemore on the Perth to Inverness line. Strathspey Railway runs a seasonal service from Aviemore to Broomhill, 4 miles from Grantown.