Disabled Access Information

Wheelchair access is available to the Estate Office and Information Centre where disabled parking and a suitable toilet facility is provided. A 500 m all abilities trail, suitable for wheelchairs, can also be followed from the office car park.

Vehicular access for elderly or disabled visitors to certain viewpoints and forest trails can be arranged if required. Many of the estate trails are also suitable for motorised buggies and for wheelchair use depending on individual requirements and equipment. Assistance dogs are welcome both at the Estate Information Centre and with walkers on the estate trails.

For further information regarding access please contact staff at the Estate Office. Tel: 01479 870070

The All Ability Trail

Access Information for people with mobility difficulties

All the facilities, walks viewpoints and places of interest listed below are free to enter and use. Some of them have limited opening times so please use this information in conjunction with the leaflet ‘Walk and Explore Glenlivet Estate’  which is also available in pdf format and large print.

Walks

All abilities trail

This purpose made path approx 500m long is accessed from the Estate Information Centre in Tomintoul. It has been built specifically for those with walking difficulties and for wheelchair users. The car park had disabled parking with a fine, hard surface next to the information panel. Next to the parking are 2 picnic tables, one specifically designed for wheelchairs. Maximum gradient on the path is 1:10 with a fine, hard surface throughout and passing places.  There are 2 hides and several seats throughout the path as well as information about trees. A jetty over a small pond allows access to look down into the water.

Disabled toilets and information are available at the Estate Information Centre (see below)

Walk 1

A circular walk on a forest track which is generally well surfaced. On leaving the car park the track goes uphill and after 500m becomes quite steep (max gradient 1:5) for a short stretch. Uphill of the fire dam is another short steep section (max gradient 1:5)  with a gate and stile beyond which is fairly easy going to the viewpoint although the track surface is more rough and stony here. The return track is more gentle but does have one steep part near to the bottom. An alternative route via the nature trail and forest hide is more strenuous, rough and steep (gradient 1;3) with pot holes and marshy areas.

Walk 2

A level track which is generally well surfaced and compacted but with occasional wet patches. The track leads as far as the Scalan seminary which is well worth a visit (see places of interest) through one gate. Beyond Scalan, however, it becomes very rough and muddy with gates, stiles and a ford to negotiate as far as the Clash of Scalan. The path from here to Tom Trumper climbs steeply (gradient 1:3) across open moorland crossing burns, stiles and a bog.

Walk 3

From the Allanreid car park, which has hard standing and a lovely view of the river Livet, the track goes SE on level ground beside the river. On reaching the plantation the track peters out to become very rough, uneven and marshy in places.

Walk 4

From Allanreid car park follow the road back NW for 400m. At the cattle grid the track turns sharp right and heads steeply (grad 1:5) uphill. Although the track is good condition the gradient is unrelenting for 3km.

Walk 5

From Clash Wood car park the track heads uphill immediately through the gate. The gradient (1:5) is fairly constant to the gate and stile which lead out onto open moorland.

Walk 6

Glenconglass car park is hard and level, the track leading N being in good condition and also fairly level continues for 2-3 km with views to Carn Daimh and the Conglass burn. The stretch opposite Inverchor quite often has Water buffalo soay sheep, wild boar and other exotic species from the Cairngorm Reindeer Farm.

Walk 7

A steep incline (gradient 1;4) from the road leads through 3 gates and a flight of steps to a level, grassy track around the plantation with excellent views. Can be wet in places but generally good going.

Walk 8

The track heading E from the White bridge car park is rough, uneven and steep (1:4) immediately for 300m. A better alternative is to park at the old bridge of Avon and take the track for Kylnadrochit Lodge on the W side of the river. The well surfaced track continues uphill (max grad 1:20) for 2km to the ruin of Stronachavie where there are good views to be had. Beyond here it becomes very steep (1;3) and rough, crossing open moor.

Walk 9

Clash Wood track is generally well surfaced but there are 2 kissing gates and 2 steep sections (max grad 1:4). The track can also become overgrown in places during the summer.

Walk 10

Tombae quarry car park has hard, level standing but is accessed over a cattle grid. Where the path leaves the road at the smokehouse is another cattle grid and the bridge on the Livet also has a grid on the SW bank.

Walk 11

Although a relatively level walk, there are several stiles, narrow bridges with steps and no hand rails and some tricky underfoot conditions throughout its length. From Alltnaglander car park (a roadside lay-bye) a stile leads immediately to steep, narrow and sometimes slippery steps. The track N from Balcorach follows the River Avon for 1km on level but bumpy ground before coming to a ford with a narrow footbridge. The views of the river, however, are very pretty.

Tomintoul Community path

The Conglass side of this path is much more suitable for those with walking difficulties as there are no steep gradients or steps. There are 5 Kissing gates. The Avonside path has 2 steep flights of steps below the Victor Gaffney viewpoint. (See places of interest). Taking the Fordmouth farm track downhill (max grad 1:15) from the village and then the path leads to a viewpoint over the Avon before steps and steep ground are encountered.

Drumin Community Path

There are access steps for the footbridge and from the roadbridge at the Castle end.  2 seats offering very pleasant views to the Livet can be accessed from the Cemetery car park going downstream.

Tomnavoulin Community Path

Suitable for all abilities although care must be taken when crossing the roads and there is one gate.

Chapletown, Braes of Glenlivet

The paths and tracks are suitable for wheelchairs but may be rutted and wet in places. There are 4 pedestrian gates with springs on the cattle passes behind the Braes Hall.

Blairfindy Moorland walk

The path begins at Alltnaglander picnic site where the old road crosses the burn. It heads steeply uphill (max grad 1:4) on track soon becoming rough open moor.

Glenmulliach Nature Trail

On leaving the car park (see below and W1 above) the bridge has steps to it and beyond it. The nature trail path has steep inclines (grad 1:3), steps, cross slopes and rough stretches.

Glenmulliach Pond path

This purpose made path approx 100m long is accessed from the Glenmulliach car park which has hard, level standing. It has been built specifically for those with walking difficulties. The fine hard surface path follows the edge of the pond where frogs, newts and damsel flies can be seen. Wheelchair accessible picnic tables are beside the pond.

Tomintoul Country Walk

A pleasant walk of about 5km half on track and half tarmac. However there are steep sections (max grad 1:7) on both the track and tarmac and the track can be rutted in places.

Speyside Way; Tomintoul spur

The path N from Campdalmore car park is rough and rutted to begin with crossing several ditches within the first 300m. After that a large, deep mud area leads to some steep steps and stiles.

Blairfindy track is uphill (grad 1:10) on good surface as far as the picnic table with lovely views. Beyond here, along the side of the plantation, it is particularly rough, uneven and a stream in wet weather.

Places of Interest

Glenlivet Estate Office and Visitor Centre

The visitor centre has disabled access throughout and houses displays and information about the running of and wildlife of the Estate. All information is available in large print format and a loop system is in place. Disabled toilet and a wheelchair for public use are inside the building. The All Abilities Trail (see above) also begins in the car park which has a disabled picnic table next to it. The office and its facilities (toilets and information room) are open 9 to 5 most weekdays unless Ranger Staff are away on other business.

Adventure playground

Accessed from the Estate office car park and part of the All Abilities Trail the apparatus has a woodchip base for cushioning any falls. It is suitable for children aged 3 and above and is tested and kitemarked to BS EN 1176. Hard, fine surfaced paths run throughout the playground which also has a bench, picnic table and forest hide. See Tomintoul Adventure Playground poster.

Tomintoul Museum and TIC

One small step (assistance available if required) leads into the TIC and museum which features reproductions of a farmhouse kitchen and a blacksmiths workshop.

Glenlivet Distillery

Disabled access is available to the visitor centre which tells the history of The Glenlivet, the tea room and shop and the still house. The guided tour of the production process involves flights of steps and narrow walkways.

Drumin Castle

Wheelchair access on purpose built paths to the castle is via Drumin farmhouse. Park in the Drumin Farm car park and follow the path through the gardens. All other access is via the car park below the castle next to the river. A steep path with many steps leads directly to the castle and a longer path, with excellent views of the castle, goes through the pedestrian gate winding around the back of the embankment. A hard, fine surface climbing gently all the way (max grad 1:20) has 6 small steps.

Blairfindy Castle

No access is allowed within the fence due to the danger of falling masonry. The castle can be viewed from the roadside.

Scalan Seminary

See Walk 2 for access information and Explore Glenlivet Estate for historical.

Knock Earth House

The final 200m to the earth house from the track crosses a field which can be wet and muddy. Access from Balcorach car park (see above W11) crosses 2 cattle grids.

Packhorse Bridge

Although there is no access at all to the bridge itself due to unsafe masonry the bridge can be viewed from the adjacent car park and picnic area.

Lecht Mine

The path from the tarmac car park is level and easy going for 200m. Beyond here it is uneven and rough with a flight of steps from a bridge over the burn.

Viewpoints

Victor Gaffney viewpoint

A short distance up the Campdalmore farm track is the Victor Gaffney viewpoint where a small bench and a rest can be had. The track is generally good but can be rutted just by the car park after heavy rain.

Craig Haulkie Quarry viewpoint

A steep climb (gradient 1:3) up a very rough track at the left side of the quarry (looking from the hard standing lay-bye).  A good view can be had from the car park itself.

Tennis Court viewpoint

Specifically made as wheelchair friendly this short path (75m) starts between the tennis court and the public toilets. It is a fine, hard surface, flat all the way to a viewpoint and bench looking up the River Avon towards the high Cairngorms.

Old Bridge of Avon

A picnic site and wheelchair access onto the old bridge is from the East side of the river, 100m north of the new bridge. Parking is on level tarmac with picnic tables on the grass.

Highland Cattle

Roadside lay-byes provide viewing areas at both Auchnarrow and Glenlivet Distillery. The distillery viewing area has a wheelchair friendly path to gain closer access to the cattle. Please do not enter the fields.

Glenlivet welcomes you to explore its tracks and byways.