Duchess of Richmond Cairn

The Cairn in Moray offers a fantastic adventure walk through the Ordiequish Forest that combines diverse terrains and scenic views. These circuits take you through a variety of landscapes, ensuring an engaging experience for all walkers. At the peak of the walk you reach the Duchess of Richmond Cairn a monument of Dedication by the Duke of Richmond to his wife Frances Harriet.

Route Options

• Duration: Approximately 1-2hours 3-4 on extended routes

• Route

  • Fochabers entrance forest trail (pay to park)

    Follow one of 4 trails Blue, Red, Green or Yellow

    • Red for the main Circuit

      • Blue For the Cairn (Follow Blue/Red to begin)

      • Yellow for Peeps View

      • Green for the loch

        
        

  • Braes of Enzie (Kieth) entrance

    A basic circuit of rising and falling terrain leading from one gate route to the other, mostly driven track.

• Terrain:

  • Steep single track forest paths

  
  

Highlights

• Stunning views of the Firth from the Cairn

• Ranalds's Cairn

• Lonbowe Loch

• Peeps View

• Information on local wildlife available at the site

• Inscription on the Cairn to read and appreciate

• Bike tracks maintained by Monster trails

  
  
  
  

This walk is perfect for those who enjoy forest trails and want to experience the beauty of the Moray landscape. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, the Duchess of Richmond Cairn is a rewarding destination.

Practical Information

Following one of the marked forest paths from Fochabers is the recommended route, just remember to pay and display if parking. Check the trail guides to decide on both longer and tougher routes that can be taken Allow for at least two hours to enjoy both scenery and destination.

Tips for visitors

• The Cairn has a seating area great for enjoying lunch at the top of the trails

• Rubbish must be taken away

• "Midgey" or Mosquito bands /spray are recommended on this track.

  
  

---

Follow me for Fochabers entrance

---

Follow me for Keith Entrance

---

Ferghas' Adventures

Ferghas got excited as he read the signs for the trail, he loves Lord of the Rings and often says he could have helped Frodo because he's a great gardener. As he set off up the track out of the Shire his mind began to race of adventures and stories of Elves and Dwarves. He trundled along with his handy water pack on his back taking sips as he needed them, as he walked he could hear rustling in the woods all around him. At first he thought of squirrels and his friend Squeaky the squirrel. But this didn't sound like that it sounded odd, his imagination began to take hold and he started to run as though Orcs where chasing him, just as the sound got louder he looked around and saw a man on his bicycle heading up the path. Ferghas laughed and moo'd as the man passed, with his wife behind him. They said hello and carried on. Ferghas continued his walk up to the Cairn and read all the plaques about wildlife and the Cairns history. He then sat watching the clouds go by and ate a honey sandwich. It wasn't quite the same adventure as Frodo and Sam he thought, but it was my adventure. With the thought of Elves and Dwarves taking hold again, he took another route down the steep trail and pictured having been on a mission to save everyone as he made his way back home.

---

---

Forest Trail information

Forest Trail Routes

---

---

History & Significance

The Duchess of Richmond Cairn

Tucked away on Whiteash Hill near Fochabers in Moray, Scotland, this small cairn stands as a memorial—a homage created in 1887 by the 6th Duke of Richmond, marking the passing of Frances Harriet, the Duchess of Richmond. Unlike many ancient monuments built by ancient peoples, this cairn is a comparatively modern tribute, but it’s no less powerful in its presence or symbolism.

Historical Significance and Origins

Erected as a heartfelt memorial by the Duke himself, the cairn was built to honour Frances Harriet, the Duchess of Richmond, who died in the same year, 1887. It’s a personal monument, a marker of love and remembrance, rooted in family history rather than ancient ritual.

Sitting atop the hill, the cairn’s shape resembles a miniature pyramid—an energy conduit, perhaps, from the start. Its position on an ancient site or strategic spot enhances its mystical aura, making it a powerful point for remembrance and reflection.

Myth and Legend

Some whisper that this cairn is more than a memorial—it's a sacred spot where love lingers, where spirits of the past can connect with the living, bridging worlds through silent acknowledgement.

Energy Portal?: Visualize the shape—a geometric gateway, a tiny but mighty portal, holding the collective energy of remembrance and love. Its location, shape, and the unseen forces at play make it a nexus of the personal and the mystical, inviting those attuned to energy to feel its presence.

In essence, the Duchess of Richmond Cairn is a powerful tribute—a personal landmark turned into a symbolic gateway for remembrance, love, and energy flowing across time. It’s a beautiful blend of history, family legacy, and the universal energy we’re woven into.