Tomintoul - Scotland

 

How to get There

Take the A9 and head South from Inverness, Just before you get to Aviemore take the A95 and head North East on the A95 to Grantown-On-Spey. At Grantown go straight over the first roundabout and turn right on to second this will keep you on the A95 and immediately take you onto a bridge crossing the River Spey. Go past the Smokehouse (on you right) and you will shortly find a turning on your right, this will take onto the A939 which will take you straight to Tomintoul (via the Bridge of Brown which is great on a Bike).

What's There

Tomintoul is part of the Glenlivet Crown Estate, and is such very well looked after. The Routes that are laid out by the Crown Estate surprised me, I was expected rolling pathways and no Technical bits, boy was I surprised, I was a sort of XC with massive hills in experience. I must say that I only had a chance to ride a parts of route 1,2,3,5 (They interconnect and I used this route to go from Tomintoul to Tomnacoulin and then back to where I was staying at Woodend). The best thing to do when you arrive at Tomintoul is to visit the Tourist Centre and get one of their Cycling Leaflets, although I will advise you to get one for the Walks as well because on the routes the Walkers have more of the sign posts. I was on holiday when I went cycling there and you can hire bikes from Grantown on Spey, but you are best off to go to Aviemore as you can get better bikes/deals from their.

Route 1. Glenconglass/Glen Brown

Total distance: 18 km, (10.5 miles). Off-road: Approx. 40%

Car Parks: Campdalmore (CR 164 194). White Bridge (GR 133 209),Clenconglass Farm (CR 172 223)

This route is very varied and enjoyable with interesting off-road sections and attractive views. Surface conditions are generally hard, but the track through Glen Brown can be muddy in places. Road sections are mostly quiet. The route can be shortened if required by avoiding the loop around Cam Meilich.

From Campdalmore, take A939 W to Bridge of Avon. Cross bridge then turn left and follow forest road past Kylnadrochit Lodge SW to Stronachavie. Beyond forest gate, turn right (N) and follow track (taking left fork just past the top of the short hill) and continue past ruins of Tomhreck to rejoin A939 near Bridge of Brown. Turn right (F) at hair-pin bend and head uphill to White Bridge car park. Leave public road and follow track F alongside plantation to where it rejoins the A939. Turn right then left and follow public road down Strathavon on W bank of the River Avon past the farms of Mid and Easter Fodderletter. Continue along road to the footbridge over the River Avon near Achlichnie Farm. Cross the river and head uphill through the field to join the main Strathavon road. At road junction follow sign to Croughly and head uphill (SE) past Tomachiaggan, then after about 100m turn NE along forest road over Carn Meilich Continue (keeping  left where road forks) to T-junction of forest roads near Chabet Water. Turn right (E then S) along forest road to Glenconglass Farm. At car park turn right (W) to rejoin the Croughly road. Turn left at next junction (SF) and follow Croughly road to the sharp bend near The Old Kennels. Leave road at bend and head downhill (along Speyside Way) to bridge over Conglass Water then along track to car park at Campdalniore.

Route 2. Glenconglass/Strathavon

Total distance: 12 km, 7 miles) 0ff-road: Approx. 40%

Car parks: Glenconglass Farm (CR 172 223), Ballcorach (CR154265).

An interesting combination of forest road, hill tracks and quiet country roads. Surface mostly hard, but hill track past Ardgeith can be muddy and rough in places.

From Gleneonglass car park follow forest road N past farms of Ellick and Inverchor. Head straight on (NE) at both junctions, past the fenced clearfell area, to where the road reaches the edge of the plantation. Leave woods and follow hill track NE then N past the ruins of Ardgeith then downhill through birchwoods to join the main Strathavon road at Ballenleish. Turn right (N) along road for lOOm, then left (W) over road bridge (over R Avon), to Balleorach car park. Turn left (SW) and follow the road on the W bank of the Avon, up river as far as the Achuchnie footbridge. Cross footbridge and follow directions as for Route 1 to return to Glenconglass car park.

Route 3. Carn Daimh/Glenlivet

Total Distance: 25 km, 15 miles Off road: Approx: 55%

Car parks: Glenconglass Farm (CR 172 223), Tomnavoulin (CR 212 265), flallcorach (CR 154 265)

A strenuous and lengthy route climbing to 570 m, providing spectacular views. Off road surface generally hard but can he stony and muddy in places. Road sections mostly quiet but please take care on Strathavon road which has many twisting and narrow corners. Please also take care not to disturb livestock on descent to Tomnavoulin.

From Glenconglass car park, follow forest road N as for Route 2. At 2nd junction of forest roads (next to clearfell area) turn right and head downhill to Chabet Water. Cross bridge, then continue uphill through the woods past the quarry, following the waymarked route to the summit of Cam Daimh. From summit head SF along stony track (Speyside Way) to re-enter woods at Cam Ellick. Follow peaty track to the junction in woods, turn left (N) and follow track downhill (signposted to Tomnavoulin), continuing through fields to meet the farm road near Craighead. Continue NE along farm road past Westerton house, turning right at junction with Easterton farm road, and continuing on tarred track to reach Tomnavoulin. Turn left onto main road, and follow B9009 N for 100 m over budge. After bridge turn left (W) and follow public road which heads NE past Blairfindy Farm and Gallowhill. At Blairfindy Lodge take left fork and follow road downhill to Drum in Smithy. Turn left onto B9136 and continue to Drumin, staying on the Strathavon road to Ballenleish. Turn left onto track to Ballenleish House (just after passing road bridge over R. Avon) then follow farm track S, up through birch woods, continuing southwards along hill track past Ardgeith, rejoining the forest road at the edge of the plantation. Continue SE then S along forest road to return to Glenconglass car park.

Route 4. Cairn Muldonich

Total distance: 18.5 km, 11 miles Off-road: Approx. 50%

Car Parks: Allanreid (GR 235 249), Forestry Commission Morinsh

(GR 223 303), Tomnavonlin (GR 212 265).

A good combination of forest and public roads, though initial ascent through woods can be tiring! Off road sections on smooth and hard forest roads which are good for bikes. Well sheltered with some excellent views.

From car park at Allanreid head NW for 200 m along Tombae road then turn right (SE) to join forest road. Follow forest road uphill through woods (it does end eventually !) to the where the road turns northwards and descends steeply to cross the AlIt a Choileachain Burn at a ford. Continue across the ford and follow the forest road NW to the Estate boundary and the start of Forestry Commission woodlands (signpost). Keep left following the FC red squirrel markers to the FC car park at Morinsh. Turn left(SW) onto B9009 and continue southwards to Auchbreck. Join B9009 taking left fork at junction and S towards Tomnavoulin. Just before the B9008 crosses the river Livet turn left onto Tombae road, and head SE then E continuing up the River Livet back to Allanreid

Route 6. GlenumIliach Forest

Total distance: 10 km, 6 miles return 011-road: 90%

Car Parks: Estate office (GR 172 183)

The easiest and most sheltered of the waymarked routes which follows hard and mostly smooth forest roads which are good for bikes. A steady (but not too difficult) climb in the woods leads to an excellent viewpoint.

From the Estate Information Centre, head SF along Old Military Road, through woods to join A939 at Alltachbeg. Turn right onto main road for 1km then turn left on to Glenmulliach forest road (signposted). Follow forest road to car park then straight on uphill, taking left fork at junction in woods. Continue uphill, then straight on at next junction, pass the fire pond to emerge from the trees at a forest gate. Turn right at junction outside woods and follow hill road to viewpoint. Return from viewpoint, heading straight on, at junction outside woods, taking the higher forest road back into the plantation. After long straight, take left fork. for 200 m then leave road, turning right and continuing downhill (SW) along the forest track, which meanders through the trees (muddy in places!) before rejoining the ascending route at the entrance to the forest. Return to Estate Office via A939 and military road.