Longer Distance Routes
Important Notes:
Several of these routes pass through remote, high and exposed mountain areas and walkers are advised to ensure they are adequately clothed and prepared, when following these paths. While most of these routes are identified by Scottish Rights of Way Society (SROWS) signposts where they leave public roads on the Glenlivet Estate (i.e. at the start points listed below), they are not waymarked throughout their length and several of these paths are indistinct where they cross high, mountain passes. Navigation over some of these routes can sometimes be difficult, particularly in poor weather and in winter. Walkers are therefore advised to use the OS 1:50,000 scale Landranger maps together with these route descriptions, and to ensure they are able to use map and compass if required. Please also note that these routes are not circular and the distance between the start and finish points can sometimes be considerable. Walkers will therefore need to consider transport arrangements when following these routes. The majority of these walks also cross land which is not part of the Glenlivet Estate and may be subject to different management activities. While the routes described here are generally well used public walks, it may be advisable to contact the respective Estates to obtain up-to-date access information, particularly if you are part of a large walking group or require specific details of stalking or other activities. Contact details for these Estates can be obtained from Glenlivet Ranger staff.
The Speyside Way: Tomintoul Spur.
This extension to one of Scotland's most attractive Long Distance Footpaths runs from Ballindalloch Station to Tomintoul. Access and links to and from the Spur can be gained from Walks 5 & 6, the Blairfindy car park (near Glenlivet Distillery), Deskie Farm road and the terminus (Campdlamore car park - GR 164 195) at the north end of Tomintoul. Walkers reaching Tomintoul, who want to rejoin the main route further west, can follow the right of way / hill track from Tomintoul to Dorback Lodge (via the Bridge of Avon and Glen Brown), then via quiet public roads to Nethybridge (see OS sheet 36 and further details given in the next section of this booklet). Please note that this link route is not waymarked (see section on Hill Tracks/Rights of Way below). Further information can be obtained from the Estate Ranger, the Tomintoul Tourist Information Centre or from the Moray Council Countryside Ranger at the Speyside Way Visitor Centre, Craigellachie. Tel. 01340 881266. Livestock may be present on some sections of the Spur and the link route to Dorback (see information notes above).
Other Rights of Way, Hill Tracks and 'Whisky Roads'
Several old routes and rights-of-way radiate out across the hills from Glenlivet. These include the route up the River Avon by Inchrory and Glengairn to Deeside (starting as the Tomintoul Country Walk), the Ladder Path from the Braes of Glenlivet to Donside, the track from Scalan to the Lecht mine, the 'Steplar Road' from upper Glenlivet to Cabrach, the old 'Peat Track' over the Cromdales and the route from Tomintoul to Dorback Lodge (see Speyside Way above). Whisky smugglers and 'reivers' (cattle thieves) formally used many of these routes during the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries. All these routes are marked by fingerpost signs at the principal access points/car parks but they are not waymarked along their length. Some pass through high, remote
and very exposed hill areas, where the route may be indistinct in places. Walkers are advised to ensure they are properly equipped and are able to use a map and compass when following these paths. Additional details of these routes are shown below but further details can be found in the Scottish Rights of Way Society guide to Hill Tracks available from most bookshops.
Twelve Route Descriptions for the Hill Tracks, Whisky Roads and Rights of Way that radiate from Glenlivet Estate to neighbouring areas.
1. TOMINTOUL TO NETHY BRIDGE VIA DORBACK
20km/12.5 miles. OS Sheet 36. Start 166 190. Finish 001 206
From the north end of Tomintoul at the Campdalmore car park, follow the forest road northwest, parallel to the public road. Continue straight on at a junction to reach Campdalmore Farm. Pass the farmhouse cross the stile and follow the Old Military Road downhill to reach the junction of the A939 with the B9136 at Urlamore. Cross the River Avon at the old bridge and picnic site, then follow the track on the opposite side of the A939, which leads to Kylnadrochit Lodge. Continue on the right fork, past Kylnadrochit Lodge to the Torrans. Take the left fork at the junction beyond the Torrans and follow the forest road (part of Walk 8-see above) to reach the gate at the exit of the forest, near the Stronachavie ruins. Continue straight on through the gate and follow the track downhill to the Burn of Brown. At the burn turn left (upstream) crossing the burn at a shallow ford. Follow the burn upstream for about 1km then pick up another track which continues westwards to Letteraitten and then to Dorback Lodge. Pass the Lodge on the north side and follow the track to reach the public road. Head northwest along the public road taking the left fork at the junction (after 4 km) and continue to Nethy Bridge. As an alternative route from Dorback Lodge, avoiding the public road, take the track southwards from the Lodge to Upper Dell. From Upper Dell head southwest across the hill to a narrow pass, the Eag Mhor. Once through the pass head westwards downhill to Loch a Chnuic, where a track is joined, which flanks the southern edge of Carn a Chnuic before turning north to go past Forest Lodge, Dell Lodge and into Nethy Bridge.
2. BRIDGE OF BROWN TO DORBACK
7km/5miles OS Sheet 36 Start 126 205. Finish 080 169.
From the hairpin bend on the road 300m east of the Bridge of Brown follow a SROWS signpost south along the east bank of the Burn of Brown for 2km to Tombreck. Continue alongside the burn heading south until a track is joined near the plantation. Follow this track down to the burn and continue upstream to cross over a shallow ford. The track now continues westwards to Letteraitten and then to Dorback Lodge (see route above).
3. BRIDGE OF BROWN TO TOMINTOUL
6km/4miles OS Sheet 36 Start 126 205. Finish 169 186
From the hairpin bend on the road 300m east of the Bridge of Brown, follow an SROWS signpost south along the east bank of the Burn of Brown for 2km to Tombreck. From the disused farmhouse go east uphill to the plantation then south beside the trees to join a track at Stronachavie. Cross into the plantation and follow the track downhill through the trees for 2km to come out on A939 by Kylnadrochit. Cross the road and the Old Bridge of Avon following the SROWS signs up the steps to the house at Urlarmore. Cross the fields, following the Old Military Road to Campdalmore Farm then turn south to follow the track which leads to Tomintoul.
4. TOMINTOUL TO INVERCAULD (BRAEMAR) VIA INCHRORY
32km/20miles OS Sheets 36 and 43. Start 166 190. Finish 187 913
From the south end of Tomintoul take the small road heading southwest to pass Delnabo Lodge, turning south to cross the River Avon at Delavorar. The tarmac road continues south following the River Avon upstream to Inchrory. From Inchrory continue south up Glen Builg to Loch Builg. Pass Loch Builg on the east side to join the track by the River Gairn. Continue south along the track, uphill to the Bealach Dearg or take the footpath on the northside of the river to cross the footbridge after 2.5km and continue steeply up the Allt Na Clais Moire to the Bealach Dearg.From the shelter the track heads due south towards Invercauld House. Turn left at the junction with SROWS signpost and head southeast to Keiloch and then to Invercauld Bridge. As an alternative, at the bridge of the River Gairn 1 kilometre south of Loch Builg, take the old track heading east then south by Tom a’Chuir to pass Culardoch on it’s eastern flank. Follow the track southeast, then south to Ratlich. From Ratlich follow the path, crossing the Fearder Burn to Balmore and then to Balnoe. Just south of Balnoe, turn left then right and follow the track southwest for 2km to Felagie and then to Keiloch.
5. TOMINTOUL TO COCK BRIDGE(DONSIDE) BY INCHRORY
21km/13miles OS Sheets 36 and 37. Start 169 186. Finish 257 092
From the south end of Tomintoul take the small road heading southwest to pass Delnabo Lodge, turning south to cross the River Avon at Delavorar. The tarmac road continues south next to the River Avon to Inchrory. 100 metres south of Inchrory Lodge a rough track leads steeply uphill to the east over a pass by the source of the Don. Continue along this track past Delnadamph Lodge on the south side of the Don and then to Cockbridge.
6. THE BRAES OF GLENLIVET TO BELLABEG (DONSIDE) BY THE LADDER ROAD
16km(10miles) OS Sheets 36 and 37 Start 243 209 . Finish 354 131
At the SROWS signpost next to the church in Chapeltown, follow the track east to Ladderfoot. Cross the burn and continue along the track east from Ladderfoot towards the hills, (the track soon becomes a footpath) and follow the path on the north side of the Ladder Burn leading steeply east then south to the summit of the Ladder Road, at the col just northeast of Dun Muir (754 m). From this point, an indistinct path leads southeast to Finlate Hill before joining a track. At the col on the east side of Finlate Hill, where the track turns east, follow the footpath heading southeast for 1.5km downhill to Duffdefiance. Cross the burn into the forest and follow the track east past Aldachuie to join the tarmac road after 3km. Turn right and head south into Bellabeg.
7. GLENLIVET TO CABRACH BY THE STEPLAR
18km/11mls OS Sheets 36 and 37. Start 235 250. Finish 388 270
From Allanreid Car park at the head of the Tombae Road follow the track leading southeast towards the steel span footbridge. Avoid crossing the footbridge and follow the track southwards next to the River Livet. This leads to another footbridge after 2km near Inverblye. Cross this footbridge and continue upstream on the south side of the Livet to the deserted shooting lodge at the Suie. About 300 metres beyond Suie take the right fork , following the rougher cart track. After approx 3km the track meets a newer track which leads E to the ford across the Black Water. Continue eastwards along the indistinct path to the deer fence near the top of the Dead Wife’s Hillock. Join the tractor track leading E from the deer fence down to Aldivalloch (supposed scene of the song Roy’s Wife of Aldivalloch), and continue along the road to Cabrach.
8. GLENLIVET TO GLENFIDDICH BY THE RIVER FIDDICH
19km/12miles OS Sheets 28, 36 and 37. Start 232 250. Finish 323 399
Follow the route above (No. 7) to the first fork in the track just north of the deserted Suie Lodge. Follow the left fork and continue NE up Glen Suie along the track to reach a second fork where Morton’s Way branches NW to the top of Corryhabbie Hill. Continue NE following the lower track, alongside the River Fiddich to cross a bridge near Glenfiddich Lodge. Go past the lodge down the left bank of the river to Bridgehaugh. To reach Dufftown avoiding the 5km walk along the A941 road, head NNW from Bridgehaugh to Smithstown, following paths and farm roads round the east side of Goodman’s Knowe.
9. TOMINTOUL TO KNOCKANDO AND ELGIN
54km/34mile OS Sheets 28 and 36. Start 166 190. Finish 220 622
The southern part of this route from Tomintoul to Knockando is probably best done by following the Speyside Way, which is well waymarked and is shown on the most recent editions of the OS Landranger maps. Much of route, in particular the straths of the Spey, Avon and Livet, are indelibly associated with the Scotch whisky industry, and the several well known distilleries passed between Tomintoul and Knockando will no doubt add interest to the walk. Leave Tomintoul at the north end of the village and go N to cross the Conglass Water by a footbridge and head along the road towards Croughly. After 0.5km a Speyside Way signpost points to the right uphill. Follow this footpath up to and through the trees by a cutting, following the route waymarkers. Continue NNE across an expanse of peat bog known as the Feith Musach where a map and compass may be needed in bad weather, then pass just to the east of Cairn Ellick and bear NW to Carn Daimh, the highest point of the route. Continue due N on the west side of Carn Liath and descend to Blairfindy Lodge and The Glenlivet Distillery. Cross the River Livet and go N by Deskie and a path over Hill of Deskie to descend again to Auldich Farm and the A95 road above the River Avon. Go along the A95 and B9137 roads to Cragganmore, cross the River Spey by the old railway bridge and continue along the left bank of the river to Knockando (30km/19miles). To continue to Elgin, head N by road passing to the east of Upper Knockando then past Mannoch Cottage. Continue N along the edge of Elchies Forest on the east side of Carn na Cailliche and just west of Pikey Hill and keep going due N along a narrow road to reach Shougle. Finally, continue to Elgin along a minor road.
10. STRATHAVON TO CROMDALE BY THE HILLS OF CROMDALE
11km/8mile OS Sheet 36. Start 156 266. Finish 075 286
From Balcorach Car Park on the west side of the River Avon follow the track north for 0.5km to an SROWS signpost at a cattle grid. Turn left, and follow the track uphill towards Knock Farmhouse. From the Farmhouse a short diversion can be made to see the Knock Earth House (believed to be an illicit whisky still) which is signposted 300m north of the Farmhouse. Returning to the Knock Farmhouse head west through the farm steadings following the track which leads uphill, past a small pond, and out onto the open hill. The track eventually peters out to become a footpath zig zagging steeply uphill to the summit ridge of the Cromdales . At the summit the path disappears among peat bogs and is difficult to pick out. Continue west over the ridge (compass bearing may be required) and descend north westwards to reach the start of the track at GR 14 282 which then zig zags northwest to join the road at Wester Rynaballoch. Turn left and follow the public road towards Cromdale for 4km. (To avoid the stretch of tarmac continue on the track south towards Clach nam Piobair and then around Claggersnich Wood on the south side to head north directly into Cromdale village).
11. LECHT MINE TO CHAPELTOWN VIA SCALAN
6km/4mile OS Sheet 36 Start 235 153 Finish 242 209
From the picnic site at the Well of the Lecht on the A939 road, follow the track north beside the burn towards the old mine buildings. About 300m before the buildings, a faint path leads diagonally uphill on the left heading due north. Follow this path to the top of the ridge and then descend steeply, again heading due north for 1km. As the ground starts to rise again towards Tom Trumper, turn right and follow the burn downhill, northeast to Clash of Scalan. From here, a track leads to the old Catholic Seminary of Scalan and then to Eskmulloch car park, where the tarmac road continues to Chapeltown.
12. CHAPELTOWN TO THE LECHT MINE VIA SCALAN
5.5km/3.5mile OS Sheet 36 Start 245 204 Finish 235 153
From the Eskmulloch car park at the end of the Braes of Glenlivet public road, follow the SROWS signpost along a farm track to the Scalan Seminary. This was a college for Catholic priests from 1717 to 1799. From Scalan the track (Walk 2) follows the burn upstream to the ruins of Clash of Scalan. Leave Walk 2 and continue upstream (southwest) alongside the burn, following the path through the juniper bushes, to reach a col. From the col, a faint path heads south, steeply uphill to the long ridge of Carn Dulack. Follow the path across the lowest point of the ridge continuing south, diagonally downhill to the old Lecht mine building. From the building take the track which leads downstream to the picnic site at the Well of the Lecht.
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