Walk 1: Glenmulliach Viewpoint Walk.
Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5km) to viewpoint and back.

Start: GR 193168. Glenmulliach car park and picnic site, just off the A939 Lecht road near Tomintoul.

Route: Forest road leading to a prominent viewpoint overlooking Tomintoul. A nature trail leading to a forest hide can be followed as an alternative or to extend the walk. Allow 1-2 hours

Access information: During May, June and July roe deer stalking activities may be taking place in this woodland in the evenings and early mornings.

The walk starts at the Glenmulliach picnic site and follows the forest road to a viewpoint providing panoramic views of the Estate and the high tops of the Eastern Cairngorms. From the car park follow the forest road up a slight slope, through a gate, to a junction in the woods. Continue straight on, taking the left fork, following the road gradually uphill through the area of cleared woodland. This woodland has been felled and replanted as part of the long term restructuring of the Glenlivet forests to create a more diverse woodland structure. Once the disturbance caused by the felling operations has recovered the newly planted area will quickly become home to a wide range of different birds and small mammals helping to improve the biodiversity of the forest. Broadleaved trees will also be planted together with softwood species such as pine and spruce to create a more attractive and mixed forest than was here previously.

About 500m from the junction, a short diversion to the walk can be made by following a track to the left, at the top of a short steep section of the road. At the point where the road levels out, the track can be followed for about 100m to two ruined cottages. Prior to afforestation the land here was cultivated and these houses were probably sheilings (dwellings occupied during the summer by farming families making use of higher pastures) which date back several centuries. A further 300m along this track, a forest hide, provides a sheltered spot for enjoying bird watching and other animals.

From the point where the track to the hide joins the forest road continue straight on along the road, (the Alt a Mulliach burn is now at the bottom of a fairly steep bank on the right), to another junction. Here go straight on, past a small reservoir, built for use by helicopters during forest fires. Continue through the gate at the boundary of the forest, then turn right at the junction (north east) following the road towards the communications mast which is now visible ahead.

Approximately 800m from the junction, a small plaque mounted on a stone plinth, illustrates the hills that can be seen from this expansive viewpoint, which on a clear day provides some wonderful views of the Cairngorms. Next to the viewpoint, exposed pine stumps, remnants of the once expansive Caledonian Forest lie partially buried in the peat, which has helped to preserve their remains for the past 3000 years or so.

The walk can be extended slightly by continuing up to the mast, where the road ends, but to return from the viewpoint indicator, head back down the road to the junction near the helicopter fire dam, then turn left following the road which loops round to rejoin the route of ascent near the entrance to the forest. This loop road passes through an area which was felled and replanted following a gale in February 1989 when much of this part of the forest was blown over by the wind. The site has been restocked with a mixture of broadleaves and conifers has created a more diverse and attractive woodland. This gives an impression of how the more recently felled area will look in 5-10 years time.

As the loop road turns right at a sharp bend above Glenmulliach house, another road to the left leads to two adjacent forest blocks, providing a further extension to the walk if time permits. Alternatively take the right turn following the waymarked route back to the car park.

Glenlivet welcomes you to explore its tracks and byways.