Braes Heritage Trail, Glenlivet - Scalan and Tom Trumper

Distance	Approximate Time	Height Gain	OS Map
6.6 kms	2 hours	570 metres	Explorers 404: Braemar, Tomintoul & Glen Avon and 420: Coreen Hills & Glenlivet

Description

One of the best ways to savour the Braes of Glenlivet is to follow this walk to the top of Tom Trumper (570m), which affords fine views of the Ladder Hills. and the steep corrie of the Slochd burn (Gaelic - sloc, sluic, meaning pit or hollow). Follow the rough track from Eskemulloch car park for about 1km to the old College of Scalan (Gaelic - sgalan, meaning turf roof). Leaving the Scalan take the track at the bridge which heads southwards towards the hills. This hill track continues up the Crombie water to the remote ruins of the Clash of Scalan (Gaelic - clais, meaning furrow, narrow,shallow valley). To continue to Tom Trumper turn westwards at the Clash of Scalan and follow the path across a narrow stone bridge over the Crombie water. The route then follows an old stone dyke which peters out just below a fence. Cross the fence at the stile, then continue south westwards up the hill through a line of grouse butts to the rounded summit of Tom Trumper. A cairn lies just below the actual top. The view from the top is well worth the climb and on a clear day Ben Avon and Ben a'Bhuird dominate the horizon in the south-west. To the north beyond the distillery is the rounded shape of the Bochel, at the head of the Braes of Glenlivet, while eastwards the Ladder hills stretch into the distance towards the expansive bowl of the Suie, completing what is a truly memorable panorama. (The section of the path from the stile to the top of Tom Trumper, is closed when shooting is in progress during the Grouse season). To return to the car park from the summit, drop back down to the stile then head north- eastwards downhill alongside the fence, to rejoin the Scalan road near the corner of the Eskemulloch plantation.

Access Info

Start and finish: GR 245204. Eskemulloch car park, Braes of Glenlivet.

Additional Info

The Scalan was once a Seminary and was one of the few places in Scotland where the Catholic faith was kept alive during the troubled times of the Eighteenth Century. The Scalan is open all year for visitors, and a detour to explore the building is thoroughly recommended.