Tour 4

Tour 4 : Boat of Garten – Tomintoul – Royal Deeside – Glenshee – Pitlochry – Boat of Garten.

Our main destination today is Royal Deeside and Balmoral – much loved home of our Royal Family since it was discovered by Queen Victoria. But there is much more to see on the way – not least the vast heather clad slopes of the Grampians, which unfold from both sides of Britain’s highest public road the A939 Tominoul to Cockbridge road.

Leaving Boat of Garten you can either go to Grantown on Spey and then onto the A939 or via Nethybridge to reach the same road. Clambering up the steep brae (hill) from Bridge of Brown you soon reach Glenlivet and Tomintoul – Britain’s highest village. Passing down its so typical main street you will turn left and then right and start climbing towards the Lecht Ski area. Here you are literally on top of the world before diving down into the start of Strathdon.

As you drive the A939 think of the soldiers who, Post 1745, built and garrisoned this bleak road. You will see Corgaff Castle scene of a bloody massacre a few miles before you turn off onto the B976 for Balmoral. The delightfully steep bridge at Gairnshiel is worth a stop for a photo and then you are on to the ground of Balmoral (keep your eyes open in the summer for grouse and deer).

Balmoral is open in the summer months but failing that visit Crathes Church before driving onto Braemar via the A93. Here the 1715 rebellion started and the Highland Games of the same name are held. Leaving Braemar you start climbing again (keep your eyes open on the left for red deer) to reach the summit at Glenshee before plunging down again to the Spittal of Glenshee. After about 9 miles you leave the main road, turning right onto the A924 for Pitlochry. You will pass by Edradour; the smallest distillery in Scotland, any smaller and it would be illegal!

Stay awhile in Pitlochry, walk to the Salmon Ladder, and maybe do it a little shopping before rejoining the A9 and travel north, through the pass of Drumochter, back to Boat of Garten.