(138) Glenlivet-Drumin Castle Circuit (Moray)

Route Summary
This is an undemanding rural walk amongst the upland farms and rushing waters where the Rivers Livet and Avon meet. There are fine views and a castle ruin to inspect. Don’t be surprised if the air is lightly scented with the aroma of barley mash from nearby Glenlivet Distillery.

Duration: 2 hours.

Route Overview
Duration: 2 hours.
Transport/Parking: No public transport nearby. Start the walk at the car-park at the Glenlivet Cemetery beside the Bridge of Livet. This is just off the B9136 A’anside Road near to its junction with the B9008 Tomintoul Road, close to Bridgend of Glenlivet. Car-park at the walk start/end point.
Length: 5.320 km / 3.33 mi
Height Gain: 130 meter.
Height Loss: 130 meter.
Max Height: 247 meter.
Min Height: 188 meter.
Surface: Moderate. Mostly on good, waymarked paths and tarred roads. Section between Waypoints 10 and 11 crosses a grassy field.
Difficulty: Easy.
Child Friendly: Yes, if children are used to walks of this distance and overall ascent.
Dog Friendly: Yes, on lead on public roads and near farm animals.
Refreshments: Options in Aberlour, Dufftown and Tomintoul.

Description
This is a very scenic short walk in the upland area of Moray where the glen of the River Livet meets Strath Avon. It follows a way-marked circular trail from the old Bridge of Livet, where there are fine views of the tumbling river below, to the atmospheric ruin of Drumin Castle, perched on a bluff overlooking the surrounding countryside. Sections of the route also take in part of the George Smith Smuggler Trail, which celebrates a route used to transport illicit whisky before legalised distilleries were established after the Excise Act of 1823. Upon crossing the old bridge, the initial section of the walk makes a gentle ascent to the edge of a pine wood overlooking a patchwork of fields surrounded by heather hills, which makes for a very good viewpoint over the valley. Moving on through woodland, with mostly open views of the glen, the route makes it way to the interesting ruin of Drumin Castle. After checking out the castle and little walled orchard, we make a diversion to an impressive, but currently closed, suspension footbridge over the River Avon (pronounced “A’an”) adjacent to a pretty spot amongst sliver birches and pines where the rivers Livet and Avon meet on their way to join the River Spey a little downstream at Ballindalloch Castle. The final section of the route is along a delightful tree-lined riverside path which returns to the start-point adjoining the old cemetery at the Bridge of Livet. Thanks to Glenlivet Estate (Crown Estates) for the following information: “Drumin Castle – a 14th century tower house, commands a prominent, strategic position at the top of a natural embankment. It overlooks the confluence of the Rivers Livet and Avon, near the village of Glenlivet. Only two walls of this imposing Castle have survived, which was thought to have been built for Alexander Stewart, son of King Robert II, better known as the Wolf of Badenoch …”. See also: http://bit.ly/32PhXZw