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My 50th Sub 2k was an interesting wee lump in a lovely part of the country—The Bochel stands over upper Glenlivet, a surprisingly green oasis surrounded by heather hills.
I was with the boys for a May break north, staying in Tomintoul. When offered a long and not so steep walk (Carn Daimh) or short and steep (The Bochel), they both unanimously chose the latter option
- The Bochel from the River Livet ford
There seemed to be a few different ways to approach this hill, but we chose the Allanreid car park at the end of the minor road SE from Tomnavoulin. There's a wee car park there, with a noticeboard showing the way marked routes provided by the Crown Estate who own the land round here. So we followed a track to a ford and a footbridge over the fast-flowing River Livet (I wouldn't have fancied trying to drive through that ford!). We continued along the track, skirting round the back of the house at Glack then slanted diagonally across a field of sheep to meet another path.
- Looking back across Upper Glenlivet towards Corryhabbie Hill
We crossed that path and then began to climb more steeply, first on grassy slopes then heather. Eventually the slopes eased off, and it was a pleasant walk through short heather to The Bochel's large summit cairn of pale quartzite (?) rocks.
- Down the Crombie Water towards Tomnavoulin
It's a nice viewpoint even though all the surrounding hills are higher; so we savoured it for a few moments before heading back the way we came to the car.