Isla Way

Summary

The Isla Way is a route in Moray linking the distillery towns of Dufftown and Keith through a variety of terrain including woodland, minor roadways, and rural paths. From Dufftown — established by James Duff, 4th Earl Fife, as housing for soldiers returning home from the Napoleonic Wars — the walk generally follows the path of the River Isla, though there are a couple of climbs from the river valley over surrounding hills. Initially, the route follows the Speyside Way past Dufftown Distillery before leaving the Spey by heading east and skirting the Wood of Kinivie Plantation on the north side of Scaut Hill (364m). After clearing the wood, the Isla Way drops back to the valley at Lochpark, continuing on to Drummuir where the castle and St Fumac’s Well are set. From Drummuir, the path climbs across fields to Mains of Towiebeg before a roadway leads back down to Mill of Towie and Bridge of Auchindachy, followed by a climb over Lowrie Bridge and down into the town of Keith.