Well of Lecht to Tomnavoulin – Scalan

Bus departs Aberdeen at 8.00am

O.S. Map 36 & 37

Route 1 Well of Lecht toTomnavoulin via Scalan

1. The bus will drop us off at a parking area on the A939 Lecht road. Walk downhill for approximately 200 metres to the Well of Lecht carpark on the right. Continue northwards to the Lecht mine, an old iron and manganese workings dating back to 1730.
2. From the mine continue northwestwards on steep ground to rejoin the track which continues over the eastern shoulder of Carn Dulack passing between the two tops.
3. Descend northwards to NGR 232179, and take the track northeastwards to the Clash of Scalan NGR 244187 and onwards to the College of Scalan, this was a Catholic seminary hidden in the braes of Glenlivet. The buildings are open all year round and well worth a visit, there are information boards, picnic tables and even toilets! at the rear of the main building.
4. Continue northwards to Eskemulloch and turn left onto a tarred road towards Chapeltown passing a distillery on your left. At NGR 243215 take the minor road on the right towards Rhindhu passing a telephone box.
5. At NGR 247217 take the track northwards passing Eskemore and Badievochel to the foot of The Bochel. There is an option to climb to the summit of The Bochel 491m.
6. Continue on the track northwestwards to a footbridge over the Crombie Water at NGR 226247 and continue on the west bank to re-cross at the next footbridge at NGR 220253 and in a short distance cross another bridge over the river Livet.
7. Continue up the track to soon emerge at a tarred road at Tombae and turn left passing a church on the left. Continue on the minor road and approximately 300 metres after crossing a cattle grid take a faint footpath on the left passing between the river Livet and a field NGR 215260 to reach a footbridge over the river Livet, continue uphill with Tamnavoulin distillery on the left to reach the village of Tomnavoulin.
8. Turn right, northwards on the B9008 to the outskirts of the village to a lay-by on the right where our bus will be parked, NGR 212265.

Walk distance approx. 9.6 miles/15.5 kms  Ascent  550 feet/170 metres

Route 2

Those wishing to do a shorter alternative walk should stay on the bus which will continue round to Tomnavoulin.

1. Get off the bus at Auchnarrow NGR 213237 on the B9008.
2. Take the minor road eastwards for half a mile to reach Culraggie Bridge NGR 223234 where a footpath continues eastwards and then northwards to the west bank of the Crombie Water.
3. Continue on the west bank to cross the Crombie Water at a footbridge at NGR 220253 and in a short distance cross another bridge over the river Livet.
4. Continue up the track to soon emerge at a tarred road at Tombae and turn left passing a church on the left. Continue on the minor road and approximately 300 metres after crossing a cattle grid take a faint footpath on the left passing between the river Livet and a field NGR 215260 to reach a footbridge over the river Livet, continue uphill with Tamnavoulin distillery on the left to reach the village of Tomnavoulin.
5. Turn right, northwards on the B9008 to the outskirts of the village to a lay-by on the right where our bus will be parked, NGR 212265.

Walk distance approx. 3.6 miles/5.8 kms

Bus departs 3.30pm for Aberdeen at 6.30pm

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.

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 Fiona Wallace. Mobile No. 07715239042