Cluny Hill – Through the Woods to Nelson's Tower
About a mile on foot.
Forres has a wooded hill right behind its park, and on top of it stands a pale, castellated tower raised in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson.
The walk up through the trees and back is only a mile, and the hilltop is a fine place to be on a bright autumn day. The tower itself is shut until April, so this one is for the woods, the view and lunch on the High Street afterwards.
- Time
- About an hour: a signed circular walk of 1.6 km (1 mile) through woodland, with some steady climbs.
- The path
- Tarmac and gravel paths with steady climbs, muddy or leafy in autumn. Clovenside Road at the start is steep and has no pavement. Not for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
- Where to start
- The car park at the east end of Grant Park, off Victoria Road. Check the sign for any charge.
- When to go
- All year in daylight; the woods are at their best in autumn colour. The tower is open from April to September, 2pm to 4pm. From November to January be on the hill by 2pm.
- Children
- A short climb, with a play park in Grant Park at the foot.
- Toilets
- Public toilets in Grant Park, free.
- Before you set out
- The tower is shut for the winter. It opens every day from the beginning of April to the end of September, 2pm to 4pm, when the Red Ensign flies from its mast; entry is by donation.
The walk
Park at the east end of Grant Park in Forres, off Victoria Road, where there's a car park beside the grass and public toilets in the park. Check the sign for any charge. Cluny Hill rises straight behind, wooded to the top, and Moray Council's signed walk up to Nelson's Tower and back is a mile, or 1.6 km. It takes 25 minutes without stopping, so give it an hour. The paths are tarmac and gravel with some steady climbs, and they can be muddy or deep in leaves in autumn.
Take care on Clovenside Road at the start, which is steep and has no pavement. The tower stands in a clearing on the summit, tall and pale with a battlemented top. It was paid for by public subscription, in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson. The foundation stone was laid in 1806, and it opened on Trafalgar Day, 21 October 1812, to a 21-gun salute from two small cannon that still stand at its door. The tower is shut for the winter.
Forres Heritage Trust opens it from the beginning of April to the end of September, every day from 2pm to 4pm, when you can climb to the top deck and see far across the Moray Firth. Until then, come for the woods and the view from the hilltop, and come back after dark some evening to see the tower lit up above the town. The walk doesn't suit a wheelchair or a pushchair. From November to January, be on the hill by 2pm.
If it rains
The trees keep off the worst of a shower and the paths are surfaced, though muddy in places. On a really wet day, make it lunch first and see if it clears.
Afterwards
About 6 min on foot
Cafe 1496
Lunch
Cafe 1496 is at 79 High Street, a few minutes' walk west of Grant Park. Breakfast is served all day, the coffee is roasted locally, and it's licensed from 11am. It's open Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 8am to 6pm and Sunday from 9.30am to 4pm. The kitchen closes at 3.30pm, and at 3pm on Sundays, so come down off the hill in good time for lunch. You can book a table on its website, and dogs are welcome. Over Christmas and New Year, check before going.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Culbin Edge, 4 miles away. Sleeps 4; next free Mon 9 Nov to Wed 11 Nov.
Where to eat
Cafe 1496, a café in Forres.
For further reading, before you go.
Photograph by Angela Williams via Google