Cock Bridge to Tomintoul – The Eag

Three through walks are suggested for today, one takes you through the rocky gully called the Eag, and the other two allow ascent of Tolm Buirich, one route slightly shorter than the other. For those wanting a shorter walk, two short circular walks from Tomintoul are suggested; these walks could be combined to make a walking distance of ~8 miles.

Walk 1 – Cockbridge to Tomintoul through the Eag

The walk starts from the access road to Corgarf Castle at Cockbridge (NJ257090). Follow the track on the south side of the Don River in a westerly direction until a junction at NJ210082. Veer north-westerly on the right-hand track and follow it past the Eag until reaching the river Avon at NJ165114. Turn right here and follow the river northwards to reach a car park at NJ165176. It is worth taking the short detour at Queen’s View (NJ165172) for a panoramic view of Ben Avon. Continue along the metalled road to NJ171183, turn sharp left and follow the road to reach the car park opposite the toilets in Tomintoul (NJ168186).

Walking distance 13.1 miles

Total ascent 827 ft, total descent 1112 ft

Download file: The Eag.gpx

Walk 2 – Cockbridge to Tomintoul over Tolm Buirich

The start of this walk is just north of the bridge at Cockbridge (NJ257093) at the former Allargue Arms, now part of Glasgow University. Follow the track west, then turn right at the junction past Dunafiew (NJ227094). Follow this track in a northerly direction to NJ221122, then turn left to reach the summit of Tolm Buirich (NJ211121). From the summit, go north-westerly, then north to reach the track near Carn Bhreac (NJ207137). Follow this track in a westerly direction past a junction at NJ182137, and turn left at NJ176147. At the next junction (NJ166146), turn right and continue northwards along the River Avon to reach a car park at NJ165176. It is worth taking the short detour at Queen’s View (NJ165172) for a panoramic view of Ben Avon. Continue along the metalled road to NJ171183, turn sharp left and follow the road to reach the car park opposite the toilets in Tomintoul (NJ168186).

Walking distance 12.1 miles

Total ascent 1293 ft, total descent 1457 ft

Download file: Tolm Buirich 1.gpx

Walk 3 – Blairnamarrow to Tomintoul over Tolm Buirich

This walk starts from Blairnamarrow farm about half way along the Cockbridge to Tomintoul road (NJR212154).  From the drop off point, take the track in a south easterly then southerly direction to reach NJ221122. Turn right here to reach the summit of Tolm Buirich (NJ211121). From the summit, go northwesterly, then north to reach the track near Carn Bhreac (NJ207137). Follow the track in a westerly direction past a junction at NJ182137, and turn left at NJ176147. At the next junction (NJ166146), turn right and continue northwards along the River Avon to reach a car park at NJ165176. It is worth taking the short detour at Queen’s View (NJ165172) for a panoramic view of Ben Avon. Continue along the metalled road to NJ171183, turn sharp left and follow the road to reach the car park opposite the toilets in Tomintoul (NJ168186).

Walking distance 10.5 miles

Total ascent 1260 ft, total descent 1467 ft

Download file: Tolm Buirich 2.gpx

Walk 4 – Tomintoul circular round Glen Avon

From the car park in Tomintoul opposite the toilets (NJ168186), take the lane in a south-easterly direction to reach the junction at NJ171187. Turn right here and follow the road to reach the car park for the Queen’s view point. Take the left track going south from here; the track passes the Queen’s View viewpoint, a detour with a panoramic view of Ben Avon. Return to the main track and continue until a sharp right turn at NJ169158 takes you over the bridge at Delavorar. Continue along the track in a north-westerly then north direction to reach the Delnabo bridge at NJ163174. Cross the bridge and continue along the path to regain the incoming road close to the Queen’s View car park. Continue along the road, turning left at NJ171183 to return to the car park in Tomintoul.

Walking distance 4.7 miles

Total ascent 249 ft, total descent 249 ft

Download file: Glen Avon.gpx

Walk 5 – Tomintoul circular to Campdalemore Wood and the Still

From the car park in Tomintoul (NJ168186), turn right onto the main road, then left onto the A939. Once past the buildings, bear left onto the footpath to reach the car park at the Dark Sky Discovery Site at NJ173189. Take the north-westerly path from the car park, passing a bird hide to reach a right turn at NJ169193 which takes you close to the Conglass Water. Turn left and follow the path to a junction at NJ166196. Turn right here to go through a gate on the road, then go through the gate on the left into Campdalemore Wood. Follow the path through the wood, turning left at the junction at NJ160198 to reach a junction at NJ162196. Turn right here and follow this path, with views over to Ben Avon and passing a memorial cairn to reach the A939 at NJ158195. The path back to Tomintoul is across the road, but you can turn right here and follow the road for a short detour to reach the art installation and view point The Still  at NJ155193. Return to the path at NJ158195, take the steps down, bearing left at NJ159194, turn sharp left at NJ161191, right at NJ153192 then left at NJ155189. Turn right at the lane running parallel to the A939 in Tomintoul and follow it to reach the starting point at the car park.

Walking distance 3.4 miles

Total ascent 256 ft, total descent

Download file: Campdalemore Wood.gpx

Bus departs Tomintoul at 6:00 pm to arrive Aberdeen around 8:00 pm.

The above notes are for guidance only and are intended as an aid to be used along with a map and compass and/or a GPS device with OS maps. Please note also that the route download to your mobile device only works if you can open gpx files (e.g. in Outdooractive, OS or similar).

In the event of an emergency arising, the person in charge today should be notified, if possible, before the emergency services are contacted on 999.

Committee member in charge of today’s walk is Janet Rickard.     Mobile No. 07919587428