📌 Dufftown, Moray
★★★
🛠️ Bridge over Dullan Water west of Giant’s Cradle currently closed, so completing circuit not currently possible (checked July 2025)
The water around Dufftown must have special qualities: not only is it responsible for several world-famous distilleries, but it’s also created some fascinating natural features. Just upstream from the village centre, the Dullan Water emerges from a small gorge. Within the dark confines of the valley is the Giant’s Cradle: an impressive pothole once eroded by the burn, improbably high above the water level nowadays. This whole stretch of the water course makes for a delightful woodland and riverside wander whatever the weather, perhaps best after heavy rain when the usually piddly Linen Apron waterfall on a tributary next to the path earns its name (apparently). For an extension, walk from the centre of Dufftown – or from Glenfiddich or Balvenie Distillery if you’ve been sampling their whisky.
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Dufftown Distillery, 10-min walk south of Dufftown centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NJ 324392
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.437792,-3.128146
🚌 Bus to Dufftown
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 60 m | ⌛ 45 min
Features: ⛪ Mortlach Kirkyard; 🌊 Linen Apron waterfall; 🌊 Giant’s Cradle pothole; 🧗 Giant’s Chair cliffs
⬤ Easy | Woodland path with minor road return, occasional rougher and steeper sections.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – cross bridge over Dullan Water – Giant’s Cradle & Giant’s Chair – path crosses river – join minor road at 🧭 NJ 320383 – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Goosander and other ducks in the Dullan Water.
Weather: Mostly cloudy but dry, temperature just into double figures.
February 2012
