Explore Rafford through two circular walks and several historic buildings. The routes differ in length; the Parish Church, Blervie Castle and War Memorial offer three different perspectives on the village. When planning, you can focus on a longer walk, a shorter circuit or the history of the buildings.
Circular Walks of Different Lengths
The Rafford/Califer Hill circular walk is 16 km (10 miles) long and takes five hours. Along the way, it offers views of the Moray Firth and the Sutherland Hills. Its distance and duration give the walk a clear time frame for planning. Check trail conditions before setting out.
A shorter circular route covers four miles, starts at Rafford Church and includes a viewpoint. The different distances give you a practical basis for choosing between the two walks: four miles on the shorter circuit compared with 16 km on the Rafford/Califer Hill walk. Trail conditions and access arrangements on the shorter route may change; check both before setting out.
Church and Castle Remains
Rafford Parish Church is a Category B listed building. It was rebuilt in 1826, with alterations and additions made in 1907. This makes it possible to distinguish two building phases: the rebuilding and the later changes to the building. The architecture also has specific details. The church has a three-storey tower with a balustrade-like parapet of ashlar masonry. Crocketed pinnacles stand at the corners. The height, parapet and corner details shape the description of the tower.
Blervie Castle comprises the remains of a Z-plan tower house built by the Dunbars around 1600. Surviving parts include the west corner tower and fragments of the adjoining main range with its former hall. The remains therefore include both part of a tower and sections of the main range. The approximate date places the tower house in its historical context; the Z-shaped plan is another distinctive feature of its design. The timeline for comparison runs from Blervie Castle around 1600 to the rebuilding of the church in 1826 and its alterations in 1907.
Rafford War Memorial
Rafford War Memorial stands at the junction of the B9010 and Church Terrace. The obelisk is made of pink granite, with a wreath carved into the stone. Its three-tiered base bears dedications to those who fell in the First and Second World Wars. Its form and material describe the memorial’s design, while the dedications state its commemorative purpose. The memorial thus offers a different historical perspective from the church and castle: its design and inscriptions are connected with commemorating those who fell in both world wars.
Discover more destinations: Knock, Lossiemouth, Findhorn, Fochabers, Drumin, Portgordon, Keith, Ballindalloch
For the wider travel overview: Moray.
