Home   Lifestyle   Article

ACTIVE OUTDOORS: Moy hideaway is perfect escape – just ask Bonnie Prince Charlie





A speedy descent overlooking Loch Moy.
A speedy descent overlooking Loch Moy.

With the 277th anniversary of the Battle of Culloden just around the corner, it seems appropriate to begin with a tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie being at this spot in 1746, in the weeks and months before that infamous clash.

The prince was entertained at a grand house at the north end of the loch – a house which burned down some years later – by Lady Anne Mackintosh, whose husband was fighting on the side of the government.

Troops were sent down from Inverness to stop the Jacobite prince, but Lady Mackintosh got wind of the plans and got a small band of men to fire their pistols and call for the Jacobite clans to advance, tricking the government forces into thinking the whole army was lying in wait.

Subscriber Only Content

After their speedy retreat, the event became known as the Rout of Moy.

You’re pretty unlikely to be ambushed on this rather tamer “route of Moy” – which is a nice, gentle circuit of the loch that makes a perfect outing for families, being a reasonably short distance and all on decent tracks or estate roads.

A peaceful spot beside the loch.
A peaceful spot beside the loch.

The children all went by bike while Meg and I decided to run, although we knew we were in for more walking and cajoling rather than getting any proper running done today!

The circuit starts from a layby beside the B9154 at Moy, just across the road from a colourful bench and a little way south of a shiny new concrete underpass that leads under the railway. It’s best reached from the southernmost Moy junction off the A9.

From the bench, head south along a path that runs parallel to the road until you reach the entrance to the estate. Head left down the path then keep right at the fork to go downhill past a gate to reach a bridge over the Funtack Burn at the outflow of the loch.

As the track veers right heading away from the loch, go sharp left to pass another gate and follow the track through a dense area of woodland before emerging to more open ground with views down to the loch.

Sign to the Coffin Well.
Sign to the Coffin Well.

A bench offers a good vantage point to see over to the island in the loch, where you can spot the remains of a 70ft obelisk poking up above the tall trees. This listed granite structure was built in 1824 by Dame Margaret Mackintosh in memory of her husband, Sir Aeneas Mackintosh.


Route details

Loch Moy loop

Distance 4 miles / 7km

Terrain Estate tracks and roads

Start/finish Layby off B9154 at Moy

Map OS Landranger 27; OS Explorer OL60

An easy loop of Loch Moy makes for a nice family outing – or a peaceful solo trip

Loch Moy route. ©Crown copyright 2023 Ordnance Survey. Media 025/23.
Loch Moy route. ©Crown copyright 2023 Ordnance Survey. Media 025/23.

Click here to see the route in OS Maps


The “largely artificial” island is also home to the remains of the original Moy Castle, a laird’s house and other fascinating relics that mean the whole island is designated as a scheduled monument.

Just round the corner from the bench the girls had pulled on their brakes at a slate sign for the “Coffin Well” – a little burn or spring with refreshing water flowing through a small coffin-shaped pool.

Carrying on down the track, the kids flew ahead while I enjoyed a peaceful little jog and a chance to take in the surroundings.

Emerging at the gatehouse back at the roadside.
Emerging at the gatehouse back at the roadside.

The track comes out at a gate beside some houses, where you continue ahead then follow the track 90-degrees left, following the estate road for a couple of hundred metres.

At a pair of stone gateposts on the left, leave the main route and go left through the gateposts. Follow the sometimes muddy track right at the first fork then bear left to pass in front of the current Moy Hall – a 1950s replacement for the earlier and grander house that was eventually demolished, 175 years or so after Bonnie Prince Charlie visited.

In front of the house – quite a way in front – is a stone carving of the Mackintosh coat of arms, then a little way further on I detoured through the woods to a peaceful spot right on the edge of the loch.

The track continues, passing over the Moy Burn before reaching a gatehouse where you pass between two further stone gateposts, then turn left to follow the roadside path past another bench before returning to the layby.

The girls take a break on one of the benches.
The girls take a break on one of the benches.
The Mackintosh coat of arms.
The Mackintosh coat of arms.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More