Champrach

Lake, Pool, Pond, Freshwater Marsh in Morayshire

Scotland

Champrach

B9102/A941 junction The B road climbs hard away from the Spey, soon passing the Macallan distillery. — B9102/A941 junction Credit: Richard Webb

Champrach, Morayshire, is a picturesque freshwater marsh located in the northeastern region of Scotland. The marsh is nestled amidst the breathtaking natural beauty of the Morayshire countryside, offering visitors a tranquil and idyllic setting to immerse themselves in nature.

Spread over a vast area, Champrach is home to a diverse ecosystem, comprising a combination of a lake, pool, pond, and freshwater marsh. The marshland is characterized by its lush vegetation, including reeds, sedges, and grasses, which provide a nurturing habitat for an array of plant and animal species.

The centerpiece of Champrach is the serene lake, which serves as a vital water source for the surrounding wildlife. The lake is fed by several small rivers and streams, ensuring a constant flow of freshwater. The crystal-clear waters of the lake not only provide a stunning visual spectacle but also offer a habitat for various fish species, including trout and perch.

Adjacent to the lake, a tranquil pool and pond can be found, further enhancing the natural beauty of Champrach. These smaller bodies of water are teeming with life, attracting a plethora of bird species, such as ducks, swans, and herons. Birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts flock to Champrach to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Champrach, Morayshire, truly epitomizes the serene beauty of Scotland's countryside. The marshland's combination of a lake, pool, pond, and freshwater marsh provides a diverse and thriving ecosystem, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature. Whether it is birdwatching, fishing, or simply enjoying the tranquil ambiance, Champrach is a must-visit destination for nature lovers.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Champrach Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.48155/-3.2000648 or Grid Reference NJ2844. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

B9102/A941 junction

The B road climbs hard away from the Spey, soon passing the Macallan distillery.

Richard Webb

Macallan bonds

Richard Webb

Harvested barley near Craigellachie

Above the Macallan distillery looking towards Craigellachie Wood.

Richard Webb

Cattle beside the Burn of Sandyhillock

Not sure about the burn name, it is shown as Burn of Ringorm downstream but the bridge just off shot to the right is Bridge of Sandyhillock.

Richard Webb

Craigellachie Bridge

The southern approach to Craigellachie Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford and completed in 1814. Autumn colours are showing on the steep ground beyond.

Adam Ward

Aberlour Orphanage Clock Tower

The clock tower is the only part of the Aberlour Orphanage buildings that survives, cramped and hemmed in by modern housing. It is a Category C Listed building. See Link

for details.

Anne Burgess

Aberlour Orphanage Clock Tower

The clock tower is the only part of the Aberlour Orphanage buildings that survives, cramped and hemmed in by modern housing. It is a Category C Listed building. See Link

for details.

Anne Burgess

Memorial to Aberlour Orphanage

Each panel tells part of the story of the orphanage that stood on this site in the late 19th and first part of the 20th century.

Anne Burgess

Farm Close

Modern housing in a quiet cul-de-sac on the site of the former Aberlour Orphanage.

Anne Burgess

Sinuous Railing

The iron railing alongside the road on the left bank downstream from Craigellachie Bridge is still intact and seems to be in good condition.

Anne Burgess

Craigellachie Bridge

Designed by Thomas Telford, cast at Plas Kynaston in Wales, and erected in 1814. The bridge is a Category A listed building. See Link

and note that despite what the maps say its correct name is Craigellachie Bridge.

Anne Burgess

Hawk....

There is a large number of plants with dandelion-like flowers: Hawkweeds, Hawkbits and Hawksbeards. It requires greater expertise than mine to tell most of them apart.

Anne Burgess

The 'new' Spey bridge at Craigellachie

Built to replace Telford's cast iron bridge, it is itself now 50 years old.

Alan Murray-Rust

Plaques on Telford's Bridge, Craigellachie

Moved from the arch when the bridge was restored in 1964.

Alan Murray-Rust

Almost nowhere to go

The immediate more than 90 degree turn at the northern end of the bridge was no problem in the days of horse drawn vehicles, but very restrictive to modern vehicles.

Alan Murray-Rust

Bench mark, Craigellachie Old Bridge

This bench mark was used during the First Primary Levelling, Scotland (1844-60). It was included on the Fochabers to Bridge of Don line as "No. 22. Bolt in East face of round tower, at North End of Craig Ellachie Bridge ; 1.74 ft. above surface. (p300)" at 277.105 feet above Liverpool datum. See Link for location

Alan Murray-Rust

The old road, Craigellachie Old Bridge

Difficult to imagine this as an important A road as late as 1972, particularly with the dangers from rocks falling from the cliff. At this point also the road turned immediately at more than 90 degrees onto the bridge - a difficult manoeuvre for a standard bus or lorry of the mid/late 20th century. Now simply a footpath and cycleway.

Alan Murray-Rust