Walk 4 Allanreid to Morinsh.
Distance: 5.4 miles, 9 km to Morinsh. 3.5 miles, 6 km to the site of the Battle of Glenlivet
Start: GR 235 249. Allanreid car park, Tombae road.
Route: Forest road. A steady ascent through sheltered plantations providing access to the
site of the Battle of Glenlivet. Can be made into a circuit by including an ascent of Cairn
Muldonich then returning along the track which descends to the Tombae road near Easter
Claggan. Allow 4-5 hours to Morinsh and back , 5-6hrs if returning via Cairn Muldonich
Access information: During May, June and July roe deer stalking activities, may be taking
place in these woodlands during the evenings and early mornings.
A well sheltered walk along remote forest roads which includes some enjoyable views and provides access to the site of the battle of Glenlivet (1594). From the Allanreid car park, walk back along the public road towards Tombae for about 200m, then turn right and follow the forest
road which climbs north eastwards through the Carn Muldonich plantation. After about 2.5 km the new forest road ends at a turning circle but the walk continues straight on along an old forest road which climbs gradually uphill before turning northwards to cross the shoulder between Carn Muldonich and Carn Dregnie. The road then descends quickly to a small ford where it crosses the Allt a'Choileachain burn. After the ford, follow the road alongside the
north east bank of the burn, for about 1 km, to a bend in the road next to the Allt Cullach, a tributary of the Allt a Choileachain burn. At this point the road leaves The Crown Estate woodlands and enters Forestry Commission plantations, but the walk can be continued following the red squirrel waymarkers which lead to the Morinsh car park on the B9009 Glenlivet to Dufftown road (a further 3.5 Km).
As the road crosses the Allt Cullach and turns westwards, another track heads northwards, uphill through the trees. This is part of a complex network of old drovers' roads which once crossed these hills linking Glenrinnes and Glenlivet and which now forms one of the many forestry access roads. It was on this road near the point that it reaches the saddle between Carn Tighearn and Tom Culloch that the Battle of Glenlivet (or Battle of Alt a'Choilachain as it is sometimes called), was fought in 1594. As part of the 400th anniversary of the Battle, the Forest Enterprise have opened up the site, which can be reached by following this track for about 0.5 km through the woodland. From the Battle site or from Morinsh the return route to the car park at Allanreid is via the same road back through the Carn Muldonich plantation. A more interesting return route however involves an ascent of Cairn Muldonich before descending to the Tombae road. This route over Cairn Muldonich is exposed and not waymarked, so please take care if visibility is poor.
To follow this alternative, return along the forest road to the Allt a Choileachan ford. Continue along the road back up the steep brae to the point where the road starts to level out on the shoulder near Carn Dregnie. At the highest point of the road, before it starts to descend back through the trees leave the track and head south westwards along one of the forest rides which lead uphill towards the summit of Cairn Muldonich. Cross the hill fence at the edge of the wood and continue across the open hill to the top. The broad summit provides some wonderful views onto the surrounding hills and you may be fortunate enough to hear the piping call of well disguised golden plover in the short lichen rich heather. It is also worth keeping an eye open for red deer which can occasionally be seen in herds browsing on the steep slopes Carn Dregnie and the Cadha Dubh.
From the top follow the rounded south west ridge descending to pick up the hill path which leads down to Tombae house. At Tombae the path meets the public road. Turn left onto the road and head eastwards back to Allanreid car park.
Glenlivet welcomes you to explore its tracks and byways. |
