This easy, waymarked circuit explores part of Glen Tanar, clothed with the largest remnant of Caledonian Scots pinewoods on the south side of the Cairngorms, Watch out for wildlife such as red squirrels, crested tits, cross-bills - and if you are very lucky - Capercaillie.
Forest tracks and paths
No public transport.
Braeloine car park, Glen Tanar estate.
Take the minor road up Glen Tanar, parking in the Braeloine car park on the right hand side part way up the glen; there is a parking charge. Begin the walk by crossing the very beautiful old steeply-arched Bridge of Tanar. On the far side, the building over to the left is an information centre giving details of the estate and the wildlife to be found here; there are also toilets. The walk described here is the longest of the waymarked trails and follows the green markers. Start by following the path upstream on the same side of the river as the visitor centre.
Follow the track as it curves left away from the river (the return route comes back on the smaller path by the riverbank). Soon there is a small chapel off to the right; this is the Chapel of Lesmo, built by Sir William Cunliffe Brooks in 1870. Inside, the pews are lined with deerskin, but the chapel is usually locked. Continue past the chapel to reach a t-junction; turn right here. Follow the track straight across at an angled junction with a larger track to head into the woods (following the green waymarker posts).
You are now following part of the old Firmounth right of way which leads eventually to Glen Esk in Angus. The track climbs slightly and then reaches the Knockie - a fine viewpoint for the pinewoods of the upper glen, with a view indicator and interpretation boards. Turn right here downhill to reach another track heading up the floor of the glen by the river; here turn left. Further on the track passes some elaborate stonework surrounding a spring and marked '1874'. Just beyond the track crosses a minor bridge over the Burn of Skinna.
Continue on the track to a junction by an old stone bridge over the Allachy water; turn right here across the bridge. Stay on the main track ignoring a branch off to the left leading uphill, and you should reach a second stone bridge, this time over the wider River Tanar. On the far side you'll reach the old Mounth Road (a track) at a 't'-junction; turn right to begin the walk back down the glen. The Mounth Road is one of several ancient rights of way across the Mounth hills between Deeside and the Angus Glens; for walkers who can arrange transport (it is a long way by road to Glen Esk or Glen Clova) they make excellent through routes, though most of them are exposed in their upper reaches. Continue along the track passing close to the river and by an old stone shed which is falling into disrepair.
Soon you should reach a signed junction; the main track curves left and is signed for Aboyne and Dinnet (this route also can be used back to the start), but the waymarked trail turns right here and passes to the right of a forest lochan with a boat house on the far side. Continue on the track to reach Knockie bridge; cross this and turn left on the far side.
The path soon crosses a track coming in from the right (leading to a locked bridge over the Tanar on the left). Pass through a grassy field before the route runs close to the River Tanar, with a view of a beautiful stone estate cottage on the far bank; both sides are lined with some magnificent Scots pines. On the right of the path at one point is a fenced granite mill-stone; this was once the site of a water-mill. The strange conical building next to here used to house a turbine. The path then emerges on a track - keep straight ahead to return to Braeloine visitor centre and the start.
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