Low Level walks around Linns of Dee & Quoich

Set on the edge of the highest mountains, the Linn of Dee is the main gateway for hill walkers wishing to access the southern Cairngorms. Situated on the National Trust for Scotland's Mar Lodge Estate, the area contains four of the five highest peaks in the UK, as well as the source of the famous River Dee. A number of beautiful low-level walks through pinewood and along rivers are easily gained from the main car park.

Distance 9 miles/14km. Time 5-6hrs. Grade moderate.
An attractive walk through a spectacular hidden glen with plenty of flora and fauna to look out for. This route takes you into open high ground where navigation skills may be needed in poor weather, as well as suitable clothing and equipment.

1. On approaching Braemar take the road signposted to the ‘Village Centre’. 2 miles from the village on your right there is a car park and viewpoint with good views across the River Dee towards the Quoich Water. The start point for this walk is a further 8 miles at the end of the public road at the Linn of Quoich.
2. Parking is off road and can be muddy. Immediately on exiting the parking area there is an Interpretation Panel, cross this road being sure not to take the path to Tomintoul. The walk now follows the right hand or easterly bank of the Quoich through a section of ancient Caledonian Pinewood before emerging, after 350 m, at a cottage, formerly Queen Victoria’s Tea Room. This is currently under maintenance by Mar Lodge Estate.
3. The glacial feature known as the Earl O Mars Punchbowl gets its name from folklore after a famous hunt took place and gallons of whisky, boiling water and hundredweights of honey were reputedly placed in the ‘Punchbowl’ and then gratefully received by the company.
   4 Do NOT cross the bridge but continue on the east bank of the Quoich. Let the noise of the Quoich engulf you, as it tumbles down short rills. You are now walking through lichen covered Alder woodland, a typical riverine habitat. The maintained path narrows and some fantastic gorges are seen, hidden from the walker on the west bank.
4. The path becomes ever narrower now and comes close to the water, it should be noted that in periods of high rainfall or snowmelt this section would be under water and an alternative higher route should be chosen before rejoining the path further upstream.
5. The route opens out with high banks on left and right providing evidence of the huge forces of past glacial action as it eroded this melt water channel that subsequently formed the Quoich. At Grid Reference NO 107920 there is a significant side stream, which could pose problems in flash flood conditions.
6. Soon an old Granny Pine, a remnant of the old Caledonian Pinewood, appears ‘guarding’ the footbridge, cross this bridge and join the track. On reaching this track turn right for Clais Fearnaigh.
7. As you progress further into the wilderness, you will observe evidence of old decaying woodland being brought back to life by the new management strategy of the Mar Lodge Estate.
8. After 1.7 km a short downhill section of 50 m takes you across the Allt Clais Fearnaigh. Looking straight ahead now the landscape opens up where the waters of the Quoich and the Dubh-Ghleann drive further into the very heart of the Cairngorms massif. After a further 10 m and on the left a hidden path takes you up past a pony hut and on upwards towards Clais Fearnaigh or ‘Hollow of the Alders’.
9. High on the ridges Red Deer can be seen patrolling the landscape. The faint path now follows a fence line to a small rise where over your left shoulder there is an excellent view back down the Quoich towards Breamar with Morrone and Lochnagar dominating. Straight ahead you are invited into the depths of the Clais Fearnaigh.
10. On descending down to Glen Lui there is ample evidence of further glacial features such as drumlins, river terraces and past meanders of the Lui Water. As you rejoin the track take a moment to walk through the remains of the old townships of Glen Lui. Houses, old mills, store houses, sheep pens and steadings will enable you to transport yourself back through time. You will be able to smell the peat and wood smoke, see and hear the bits of bairns with their ragged clothes, running and playing and imagine the collective noise of livestock and people from a bygone age.
11. The route turns left and heads towards the bridge over the Lui, DO NOT cross but take the path on the left. This becomes a short rising traverse which soon levels out and after 350 m comes to a junction, keep straight ahead and proceed on a good track round the lower slopes of Doire Bhraghad.
12. The track now takes a slowly descending traverse through a remnant of the old Caledonian Pinewood. After 1km use the stile to cross the deer fence where you are immediately aware of the extensive regeneration of both Scots Pine and Birch. Look out for piles of pine needles, the abode of resident wood ants and the cry of the buzzard above, as this is a favourite hunting ground.
13. The path keeps straight ahead and soon rejoins the tarmac road at Claybokie, turn left and after 3.5 km you will reach the car parking across the Quoich. On your return be sure to take time to admire Morrone high on your right and the floodplain of the Dee stretching before you, a fine view to end a fine walk.
    

2) Linn of Quoich Punchbowl Walk

Distance 1½ miles/ 2 km. Time ¾ hour. Grade easy.
A walk of great historical interest and scenery from the Linn of Quoich car park to find the famous hydrological feature known as the Earl of Mar’s punchbowl.

1. On approaching Braemar take the road signposted to the ‘Village Centre’. 2 miles from the village on your right there is a car park and viewpoint with good views across the River Dee towards the Quoich Water. The start point for this walk is a further 8 miles at the end of the public road at the Linn of Quoich.
2. Parking is off road and can be muddy. Immediately on exiting the parking area there is an Interpretation Panel, cross this road being sure not to take the path to Tomintoul. The walk now follows the right hand or easterly bank of the Quoich through a section of ancient Caledonian Pinewood before emerging, after 350 m, at a cottage, formerly Queen Victoria’s Tea Room. This is currently under maintenance by Mar Lodge Estate.
3. The glacial feature known as the Earl O Mars Punchbowl gets its name from folklore after a famous hunt took place and gallons of whisky, boiling water and hundredweights of honey were reputedly placed in the ‘Punchbowl’ and then gratefully received by the company.
4. Return to transport by retracing steps.
   

3) Two Bridges Walk From Linn of Quoich

Distance 4½ miles/ 7 km. Time 2½ hours. Grade moderate.
An attractive riverside walk with forest and moorland scenery.

1. On approaching Braemar take the road signposted to the ‘Village Centre’. 2 miles from the village on your right there is a car park and viewpoint with good views across the River Dee towards the Quoich Water. The start point for this walk is a further 8 miles at the end of the public road at the Linn of Quoich.
2. Parking is off road and can be muddy. Immediately on exiting the parking area there is an Interpretation Panel, cross this road being sure not to take the path to Tomintoul. The walk now follows the right hand or easterly bank of the Quoich through a section of ancient Caledonian Pinewood before emerging, after 350 m, at a cottage, formerly Queen Victoria’s Tea Room. This is currently under maintenance by Mar Lodge Estate.
3. The glacial feature known as the Earl O Mars Punchbowl gets its name from folklore after a famous hunt took place and gallons of whisky, boiling water and hundredweights of honey were reputedly placed in the ‘Punchbowl’ and then gratefully received by the company.
4. Do NOT cross the bridge but continue on the east bank of the Quoich. Let the noise of the Quoich engulf you, as it tumbles down short rills. You are now walking through lichen covered Alder woodland, a typical riverine habitat. The maintained path narrows and some fantastic gorges are seen, hidden from the walker on the west bank.
5. The path becomes ever narrower now and comes close to the water, it should be noted that in periods of high rainfall or snowmelt this section would be under water and an alternative higher route should be chosen before rejoining the path further upstream.
6. The route opens out with high banks on left and right providing evidence of the huge forces of past glacial action as it eroded this melt water channel that subsequently formed the Quoich. At Grid Reference NO 107920 there is a significant side stream, which could pose problems in flash flood conditions.
7. Soon an old Granny Pine, a remnant of the old Caledonian Pinewood, appears ‘guarding’ the footbridge, cross this bridge and join the track. On reaching the track turn left.
8. The route continues down this track back to the Linn of Quoich car park. After 1.3 km, a path on your left heads back across the Quoich. Care should be taken on a short steeper section with exposed tree roots. The route now is back through the Caledonian Pinewood to the car park.
   

4) Derry Lodge Walk

Distance 7 miles /11 km return. Time 3½ hours. Grade easy.
A level route to the edge of the Cairngorms mountain massif, with excellent scenery and possible sightings of red deer.

1. On approaching Braemar take the road signposted to the ‘Village Centre’. The start point for this walk is a further 6 miles at the Linn of Dee where car parking, interpretation panels and toilets are available, courtesy of Mar Lodge Estate.
2. Since 1995 the National Trust for Scotland have managed this 29,340-hectare estate of mountains, moorland, rivers and pine forest. They have repaired mountain paths, removed miles of fences, reduced the deer herd, provided local employment and provided a warm welcome to visitors. They envisage a future for Mar Lodge where ‘this wild mountain landscape, with a naturally regenerating pine forest expanding in area with the red deer population in harmony with the environment, a flourishing wildlife and an opportunity for people to continue to work and play and enjoy this special place’. The dry composting toilets are a good example of the environmental credentials of the current managers of Mar Lodge Estate.
3. This walk follows the signs at the rear of the parking area signposted ‘Path to Glen Lui’. Continue up through the woodland for 500 m before emerging onto the track, turn left. Derry Lodge is a further 5 km along this good level track.
4. After 1 km, cross the bridge across the Lui Water and enjoy the open landscape of Glen Lui. You will come across evidence of the old townships of Glen Lui. Take a moment to walk through the remains of these old townships where houses, old mills, store houses, sheep pens and steadings will enable you to transport yourself back through time. You will be able to smell the peat and wood smoke, see and hear the bits of bairns with their ragged clothes, running and playing and imagine the collective noise of livestock and people from a bygone age.
5. The route continues to Derry Lodge, built as a shooting lodge when sporting estates and deer stalking replaced timber exploitation and sheep farming as the main activities on the estate. The green pastures here reflect the hard work of these previous farm tenants as they took off stones, limed the soil and introduced good grass management.
6. Retrace your steps back to the car park, not before looking back and admiring the internationally important landscape of the mountain core of the Cairngorms National Park.
   

5) Carn na Drochaide

Distance 7.5 miles/ 12km. Time 5 hours. Grade moderate.
A walk along the Dee valley and onto the open hill for a majestic panorama. This route takes you into open high ground where navigation skills may be needed in poor weather, as well as suitable clothing and equipment.

1. On approaching Braemar take the road signposted to the ‘Village Centre’. 2 miles from the village on your right there is a car park and viewpoint with good views across the River Dee towards the Quoich Water. The start point for this walk is a further 8 miles at the end of the public road at the Linn of Quoich.
2. Parking is off road and can be muddy. Immediately on exiting the parking area there is an Interpretation Panel, follow this track left, signposted by the Rights of Way; “Public Footpaths via Invercauld to Brig o Dee (A93) and to Tomintoul via Loch Builg and Inchrory.
3. The route along this track has ancient Caledonian Pinewood remnant edged with larch and some broadleaves mainly birch and rowan. It passes by Allanaquoich and Cairn na Drochaide before the open hillside on your left and birchwood and wet meadow on your right.
4. After 2 kms from the car park you will pass ‘under’ an overhanging larch tree at Allanmore. When the track goes right to Allanmore exactly 210 metres further a very faint track heads back up left and winds its way behind Allanmore, it is not visible from below. Eventually this will lead you through the band of remnant pine and onto the ridgeline proper.
5. After a further km on the open hillside the track levels out and becomes indistinct. The track winds its way to the left of the obvious boulder, which sits prominently on the skyline.
6. This will now take you to the top of Creag a’ Chleirich. Find a quiet spot and let your eyes take in the impressive 360 panorama from here; Craig Leek, Lochnagar, Glenshee Hills, Morrone, Glen Ey hills, Carn na Drochaide, the high corries and summit tors of Bheinn a’ Bhuird and finally Beinn A’n before swinging back to the Dee Valley. This in itself makes this walk a worthwhile objective.
7. If you go on from here to Carn na Drochaide care should be taken at the gorge of Clais nan Cat. Approach and pass this on the far left. As you ascend from Clais nan Cat the path is non existent and the route to the summit is crossed by deer paths going across the coll. In poor visibility this would require navigation skills. However, the underfoot conditions are good for walking and pose no difficulty.
8. The reward for your efforts are worthwhile as the view from the summit compare with any to be gained from the higher more exalted neighbours of the High Cairngorms. Take time to marvel at the forces which sculpted this landscape before you.
9. The best return is by your outward route. You should take care back at Clais nan Cat, on passing the entry point stay high on the ridge to find the track and progress down the ridge. The view ahead of the extent of the Morrone Birkwood, is shown well against the backdrop of Morrone. 200 metres above the road there is a cairn on the ridge which gives an excellent view back down into Braemar with Creag Choinnich and Lochnagar behind every inch the epitome of a highland idyll.