13km/8miles Allow 3-4hours

(01/03/2024) CURRENTLY CLOSED BETWEEN NJ 25324 27786 & NJ 24563 28971 It is still possible to access the Battle site from the FLS track from Morinsh Car Park. 

It is unlikely that Livestock will be encountered on this walk.

Parts of this trail can be very muddy under wet conditions.

Start - 

Allanreid car park (Nr Tomnavoulin): NJ 236 248 - Following red arrow waymarkers with sword logo in the centre. 

From the car park, walk back along the public road towards Tombae for about 200m, then turn right onto a forest road that leads up through the Cairn Muldonich plantation. At the first corner before entering the trees pause and admire the views over the low farmland to the Ladder Hills beyond. Continue along the track through the plantation, which becomes rougher as it climbs gradually uphill to the shoulder between Cairn Muldonich and Cairn Dregnie. Several areas of this plantation were felled in 2010 as part of the forestry operations on the estate. The area has been replanted with spruce and pine and until these trees grow there are wonderful views of the surrounding hills and red deer may occasionally be seen in herds on the steep slopes of Cairn Dregnie.

The track then descends quickly to a small ford where it crosses the Allt a’Choileachain burn – a name by which the battle is also known. There is a bridge which has fallen into disrepair here but the burn can be easily crossed in most conditions. After the ford, continue along the track to a bend in the road where the Allt Cullach, burn is crossed. At this point the road enters Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) plantations. The track swings westward, heading down to the left, but look for a small path up to the right which follows an old drove road up to the site of the Battle of Glenlivet. A woodland clearing and interpretation panel mark the battle site, where only a little imagination is needed to hear the cries of battle calling out.

Retrace your steps to rejoin the forest road at the Allt Cullach burn. The return route to the car park at Allanreid is via the same road back through the Cairn Muldoich plantation.

For a longer alternative the forest road can be followed through the FLS's Morinsh woods emerging in the small car park (4) on the B9009 Glenlivet to Dufftown road (a further 3.5km). (To walk back along the public road to the start point from here is a further 8km.)