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The River Findhorn pouring through the narrow rocky gorge at Randolph's Leap between wooded banks.
Morayshire

Randolph's Leap

The narrowest point of the River Findhorn's rocky gorge near Forres, named for a medieval leap, with old flood stones and woodland walks.

Welcome

South of Forres, the River Findhorn squeezes through a narrow gorge of pale, water-worn rock, and at its tightest point the banks come so close that it seems you could jump across.

This is Randolph's Leap, one of the loveliest spots on the river, set in the old woods of Darnaway where red squirrels and woodpeckers live.

The name tells only half the story. In the 1300s Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, quarrelled with the Cummings, who lived across the river. When Alastair Cumming's men were ambushed, four of them are said to have leapt the gorge to escape. Whoever made the leap, it was not Randolph.

Look out, too, for two old stones marking the great flood of August 1829, when the river rose some fifty feet. A short path leads from a layby near the Bridge of Logie, or you can walk from Logie Steading. The ground is uneven and the water strong, so take great care.

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The Daily for 11 November, from Scotland with love. The broken stone walls of a lochside castle rise from a small tree-covered island, autumn foliage glowing orange against the dark water and forested hillside beyond.
Not farBakhoos Bakery17 milesSee itBakhoos Bakery

Before you go

Open woodland, at any hour and free.

Keep well back from the water, which is strong and fast.

Where
The River Findhorn south of Forres, IV36 2TB.
Walk
A short circuit from a layby, or longer from Logie Steading.
Look for
The 1829 flood stones.

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Where it is

South of Forres just off the B9007; park at the small layby south of the Bridge of Logie, or walk from Logie Steading.

Close byThe Findhorn.
  1. Logie SteadingLogie SteadingShops and a cafe where the walk begins.Under a mile 3 min by road
  2. SPÈ Atelier, MorayshireSPÈ AtelierA candle maker's studio shop at Logie Steading, selling soy candles, diffusers and mists inspired by the Speyside landscape and its whisky.Under a mile 4 min by road
  3. Child in helmet and life jacket rides a rubber tube over rapidsACE Adventures & Hideaways2 miles 3 min by road
  4. Brown signpost reading "Sluie Walk" surrounded by ferns and woodlandSluie WalkAnother walk along the Findhorn gorge.2 miles 3 min by road
  5. Water buffalo standing in rushes at Thorabella Farm under an orange sunset sky.Thorabella Farm7 miles as the crow flies
  6. Dulsie BridgeDulsie BridgeThe old military bridge upstream.9 miles 13 min by road
Directions
ShoppingULY + RO, Forres6.9 miles
Cafe 1496 on Forres High Street, a white shopfront with gold lettering, a wreath on the door and blue tables outside.CafeCafe 14967.0 miles
White castellated tower on a hilltop path lined with bare winter treesAttractionsNelson's Tower7.5 miles
Carved stone pillar enclosed in a tall glass protective tower on parklandAttractionsSueno’s Stone7.7 miles
AttractionsNairn Dunbar Golf Club8.1 miles
Rodney's Stone standing in a small wattle-fenced enclosure on the lawn by the drive to Brodie Castle, a walker passing.AttractionsRodney’s Stone8.2 miles
The Nairn Bookshop on the corner of the High Street and Gordon Street, a cream and maroon front with arched windows and wooden double doors.ShoppingNairn Books8.4 miles
Turreted castle with crow-stepped gables overlooking a striped lawn and gravel driveAttractionsThe Playful Garden8.5 miles
Gravel path leads to a turreted Scottish castle under grey skiesAttractionsBrodie Castle8.7 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the gorge, and when each is next free.

Culbin Edge, Inverness-shireCulbin Edge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Brodie
  • 6 miles from Randolph's Leap
Free 11–13 NovA curved cabin clad in overlapping wooden shingles stands on gravel among wildflowers, arched windows and a door along one side.Boath Cabin
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Nairn
  • 7 miles from Randolph's Leap
Free 11–14 NovThe timber cabin lit at dusk against a pink sky, a hot tub steaming on the deck beside two chairs.Callie Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Pluscarden
  • 10 miles from Randolph's Leap
Free 16–19 NovTimber-clad lodge with balcony overlooking a loch, framed by bare branchesStrathspey Lodge
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Carrbridge
  • 16 miles from Randolph's Leap
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in MorayshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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