Carn Mor from Scalan

North-east of Tomintoul, the B9008 travels over moorland and through Glen Livet toward Bridge of Avon in Speyside. On this road, 7km north-east of Tomintoul, Auchnarrow is reached, where a narrow road heads south-east to the Braes of Glenlivet where Braeval Whisky distillery hides near the end of the road.

There is a turning circle by the end of the public road, but also a sign pointing the way up a rough potholed track to a parking area.

There is room for around 10 vehiles in the parking area, where there is a large information board provided by the Crown Estate.

From the car-park, follow the track as it contunes south-east around a plantation (much of which has been devastated by storms) and over farmland towards the old College of Scalan . Well worth having a nebb around, this was not only a farming community up until the early 2000's but was also where a secret seminary stood where Catholic priests were trained in the 1700's.

At the back of The Scalan, a dilapidated gate stands under some trees - head over this gate and follow a fence and some old draining systems uphill. The fence meets with another fence crossing its path - through a gate, turn left and follow the fence for around 500m north-east until you meet with a line of grouse-butts heading up Carn Mor's north-west face.

A faint path can be traced connecting these butts, above which pathless heathery ground is climbed for a further 100m or so. The ground levels and a small lochan is met, ahead is the final push up Carn Mor with a path to follow.

On Carn Mor's summit a lonely trig point stands exposed to the elements.

From Carn Mor, follow a worn footpath travelling south-westwards along its crest. After around 1km, there's a slight rise up to a minor top, Monadh an t-Sluich Leith , followed by a drop to a shallow bealach where options present themselves.

Keeping south-west and picking up a line of fence-posts will end up at the Lecht Ski Centre.

Aiming due east will lead down into Coire Buidhe, where a faint path can be picked up and followed above the west bank of a burn to Lecht Mine .

Alternatively, turning north-west will travel along more high ground to then drop to the Clash of Scalan , where a signposted route leads back via Wester Scalan to The Scalan and return to the car-park.