Randolph's Leap and the River Findhorn from Logie Steading
Moray
Randolph's Leap is a dramatic narrowing of the River Findhorn south of Forres, where the peat-stained water from the Monadhliath mountains is forced through a rocky ravine. The path runs along unprotected cliff edges above the fast water, so a dog stays on the lead through the gorge, though the woods near Logie Steading start more gently. It takes its name from a fourteenth-century feud: Randolph, Earl of Moray, lived at Darnaway across the river, and when the Cummings attacked him they were ambushed and four of their men escaped by leaping the gorge. This 4km loop starts at Logie Steading, which has a cafe, shops, a heritage centre and toilets, and passes views of Logie House to a viewpoint over the Findhorn. It drops to run upstream beside the river and a big still pool to the confluence with the Divie, crosses the Divie by the road bridge, and passes a flood stone marking the 1829 Moray floods, when the Findhorn rose by over 50 feet. The path then follows the gorge to a detour to the Leap itself and a viewing area. There is only 62 metres of climbing on clear paths.
This dog friendly walk is short and shaded, but it needs care: much of the path runs along unprotected cliff edges high above fast water, so keep your dog on a lead or right beside you through the gorge. The river is too fast for swimming here. There are short road sections by the Divie bridge, and a cafe and toilets at Logie Steading.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- River, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Cafe, shops, heritage centre, toilets and children's play area at Logie Steading (cafe dog policy not confirmed).
- Parking
- Parking area at Logie Steading visitor centre, off the B9007 south of Forres.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Randolph's Leap and the River Findhorn from Logie Steading, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in MorayFrequently Asked Questions
Is Randolph's Leap and the River Findhorn from Logie Steading dog friendly?
This is a lovely walk to do with a dog, rated 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The 4km loop starts and finishes at Logie Steading, which has a cafe, shops, toilets and a heritage centre, and the paths are clear with only 62 metres of climbing. The main thing to be aware of is that the gorge section requires dogs to be on a lead, as the path runs along unprotected cliff edges above fast-moving water.
Can dogs be off lead at Randolph's Leap and the River Findhorn from Logie Steading?
Dogs need to be kept on a lead or right beside you through the gorge, where the path runs close to unprotected cliff edges high above the River Findhorn. The water is also too fast and powerful for swimming, so it's best to keep dogs well back from the water's edge in this section. The woodland around Logie Steading at the start of the walk is gentler, though it's worth checking conditions underfoot before giving your dog more freedom there.
What should I know before visiting Randolph's Leap and the River Findhorn from Logie Steading with my dog?
The key thing is to have your dog on a lead through the gorge section — the path follows unprotected cliff edges above fast, peat-dark water, and the river is not safe for swimming. There are also short road sections near the Divie bridge, so be ready for those. Logie Steading has parking, toilets and a cafe at the trailhead, though the cafe's dog policy hasn't been confirmed, so it's worth checking ahead if you're hoping to stop in.
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