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Sub 2k Marilyns: Carn Daimh, The Bochel.
Date: 01/11/2015.
Distance: 16.5 km.
Ascent: 630m.
Time taken: 3 hours.
Weather: the best! Although a little windy on Carn Diamh.
Could have been the weekend to go to Jura, but a busy month meant that I ended up in work on Saturday
. With an appointment in Tomintoul on Sunday afternoon, I could see a way to enjoy the unseasonal weather
. I took the scenic route through Forres and over the hills to Knockando, before driving up Glenlivet.
Spey at Blacksboat:
Glenlivet distillery and Cromdale hills:
I parked behind a row of council houses in Tomnavoulin and set off towards Carn Diamh. I had enough time to go up both Carn Diamh and The Bochel individually, but was a bit tight for doing a circular walk, so I decided to run some sections of it.
Ben Rinnes from Eastertown:
I took the first opportunity to get up high at Eastertown following a track then a path up onto the moorland. I took a daft shortcut through deep heather and was soon on the path to the summit. Breezy up there but with good views all round. There was an indicator on top - the only hill not visible today was Morven in Caithness, lost in the haze to the north.
Heading up onto the moorland:
Rinnes popping up again:
Corryhabbie Hill and Glenlivet:
Cromdale hills (Creagan ‘ Chaise in particular) across Glen Avon:
Which way?
North from the summit of Carn Diamh:
Towards the Cairngorms:
Glenlivet:
The top:
I headed down the south ridge then through a boggy section of forest. Then it was time to go cross-country through more deep heather to drop down to the Tomintoul road. The lower part of this was wet indeed, although possibly avoidable through a field of highland cattle. As I couldn't see a way to the road on the far side, I stuck to the bog which led me all the way to the road.
Back to the summit:
The Bochel with the Ladder hills behind:
Next was a jog down the road to the Braes of Glenlivet turning, then down a farm track on the left, which was signposted for the Bochel circular walk. I was hoping to go up it rather than round it, so I crossed a bridge over the Crombie water and headed up through a couple of gates and a short section of thick conifers. Then I was out on the moorland.
Getting closer:
Carn na h-Iolaire:
An easy stroll to the summit where there were good views to Corryhabbie Hill and the Ladder hills. However the colours were better in the Glenlivet direction.
Carn an t-Suidhe end of Corryhabbie Hill:
Ladder Hills from the Bochel:
There was a little more bog as I dropped down to the Crombie water. Then a lovely walk through mixed woodland to the road.
Across the Livet:
River Livet:
Crombie Water:
Parish Church of the Incarnation, Tombae:
Then an easy stroll past the distillery back to the car. Sometimes I don't find the eastern Highlands all that inspiring. Other times it can be the most attractive place in the country
.
Tomnavulin Distillery visitor centre (has seen better days):
