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Glenlivet

Glenlivet is shrouded in rich history, which becomes quickly apparent when visiting hidden gems such as the Packhorse Bridge and Drumin Castle.  It is synonymous with whisky with four distilleries in the area and offers a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities and mountain biking.

Tomintoul is the highest village in the Cairngorms and the largest community on Glenlivet Estate. It is known for its abundance of sporting pursuits, including a vast network of biking and walking trails. Whisky also plays an important roll with many distilleries just a stone's throw away.

At 345m above sea level, Tomintoul is the highest village in the Cairngorms (and indeed the Scottish Highlands), and is the largest community on the Glenlivet Estate.  Having been founded by the Duke of Gordon in 1775, this traditional ‘planned’ village and surrounding area is steeped in history, and being situated halfway between Aviemore and Royal Deeside, it is an ideal base to explore the SnowRoads and Cairngorms National Park.

The village is known for its abundance of sporting and outdoor pursuits, including fishing, mountain biking and hillwalking, with a network of around 100 miles of trails nearby to suit all abilities.  The Lecht ski centre is around a 10 minute drive away – ideal for winter sports and fun in the snow. In 2018, the Tomintoul & Glenlivet area was officially recognised as an ‘International Dark Sky Park’.  Its easy access and low light pollution make it one of the best places in Scotland to discover the wonders of the night sky – so you can enjoy an action-packed day followed by an evening brimming with stars!  


Throughout its history, Tomintoul has been a stopping place for travellers and this is reflected in the range of accommodation and services available in the village.  Its main street has an abundance of amenities, including hotels/restaurants, B&Bs, family-friendly hostel, cafes, shops, art galleries, post office and a Discovery Centre/tourist information facility (seasonal).  There is also an adventure playground and smaller play parks for children, as well as a bird hide for nature watchers.


Notorious for whisky smugglers in times gone by, whisky production still plays a very important role in the area, with many distilleries within easy reach.  Visitors can enjoy a dram on a visit to The Glenlivet Distillery or Tomintoul Distillery (the latter by appointment only).


Glenlivet Estate is surrounded by high hills on all sides.  Its landscapes range from deep river valleys and glens through fertile farmland and wooded hillsides to high heather moors with magnificent views across north-eastern Scotland.  The abundance of wildlife and majestic scenery make it a photographer’s paradise!


All of the above makes Tomintoul an ideal year-round destination for anyone planning a trip on the SnowRoads!




Gallery

Area map

Places of interest

Victor Gaffney Cairn and Viewpoint

Visitors to this viewpoint are rewarded with views of the Cairngorms and the River Avon.  Just a short walk from the Campdalmore car park, a cairn stands in memory of local historian, Dr. Victor Gaffney.

Dr Victor... read more

Victor Gaffney Cairn and Viewpoint

A cairn in memory of local historian, Dr. Victor Gaffney, stands at just a short walk from the Campdalmore car park with views of the Cairngorms and the River Avon.

Tomintoul Bird Hide

This bird hide is located in Tomintoul which is on the Glenlivet Estate.  The area is a stronghold for wading birds and is one of the best breeding areas in North East  of Scotland. 

Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Snipe... read more

Tomintoul Bird Hide

Pay a visit to the hide to see how many Curlew, Lapwing (Peesies), Oystercatcher, Snipe and Redshank you can spot in one of the best breeding areas for waders in the North East of Scotland.

Tomintoul/Glenlivet Estate

Fodderletter Lum

The chimney can be found on the roadside between Tomintoul and Grantown-on-Spey.

It was built by early road menders in the 1920s and 30s and was restored in 1996 as part of a conservation project run by the Crown Estate and... read more

Fodderletter Lum

One of a series of isolated stone chimneys built by early road menders. When the day's work was done portable walls were placed around the chimney to provide a warm resting place at night.

Tomintoul Dark Sky Discovery Site

Visit one of the Dark Sky Discovery Sites to get the best views of the night sky.  With parking and interpretation, these sites are easily accessible for everyone to enjoy some stargazing, from experienced telescope users and astronomers... read more

Tomintoul Dark Sky Discovery Site

The Glenlivet and Tomintoul area is one of the best places in the Cairngorms National Park to discover the wonders of the night sky. It is Scotland's second International Dark Sky Park and the most northerly in the world.

https://cairngormsdarkskypark.org/

Tomintoul and Glenlivet

At 345m above sea level, Tomintoul is the highest village in the Cairngorms (and indeed the Scottish Highlands), and is the largest community on the Glenlivet Estate.  Having been founded by the Duke of Gordon in 1775, this traditional... read more

Tomintoul and Glenlivet

Tomintoul is the highest village in the Cairngorms and the largest community on Glenlivet Estate. It is known for its abundance of sporting pursuits, including a vast network of biking and walking trails. Whisky also plays an important roll with many distilleries just a stone's throw away.

Packhorse Bridge

This picturesque structure spans the Livet where it tumbles through a narrow, rocky gorge at Bridgend. It is thought to have been built at the same time as nearby Blairfindy Castle. Two arches of the bridge still survive, the third having... read more

Packhorse Bridge

The Packhorse bridge provides a picturesque location for a picnic and a lovely photo opportunity.

Chalet and Lodges

Drumin Mountain Bike Experience

Luxury chalet-style mountain bike holidays. Ride on to the mountains from outside your door.

Drumin Mountain Bike Experience

Based on the popular model of the chalet ski-ing holiday, you will have exclusive use of the house and grounds. We will provide a full Scottish breakfast and gourmet evening meal with all wines and a full fridge of beer included. You will also have your own local expert rider to act as your guide on the mountains.Drumin is the perfect location for the best biking trails and wildernesss single track challenges that Scotland has to offer. It is also happens to be situated in beautiful Speyside in the gourmet capital of Scotland and the whisky capital of the world!This is a very special mountain biking experience.

https://www.drumin-mountain-bike-experience.co.uk

Email

07730 647371

Drumin Farm
Drumin
Glenlivet
AB37 9AN

Shop

The Glenlivet Distillery Gift Shop

Open mid March to mid November Visit the Gift Shop at The Glenlivet Distillery for a wide range of whiskies. We also stock a variety of gifts including clothing, books, and a range of confectionery (including chocolates and fudge) that contain... read more

The Glenlivet Distillery Gift Shop

The following tours are available at this award-winning visitor centre: The Glenlivet Classic Tour - This classic tour offers you a sensory introduction to the whole, finely-crafted process of whisky-making in our modern distillery. You'll see the racked casks of slowly maturing malts in a traditional bonded warehouse and then an invitation to toast George Smith, with a dram of The Glenlivet, on the very land he once farmed nearly two hundred years ago. Cost: £10 per person Daily tours from 10am and every half hour, and last tour at 4.30pm Duration: 1 1/4 hours (pre-booking advised) Maximum group size: 16 Open to visitors age 18 and over Audio guides available in French, German, Italian and Spanish subject to availability Definitive Spirit Tour and Tasting - £65 per person This fascinating experience lasts around 2.5 hours, and includes a full distillery tour with a dram from a cask in one of our warehouses. In our tasting room, guests will enjoy an exploration of the spirit cuts, followed by a selection of The Glenlivet whiskies from our range, enabling them to comprehend the complex marriage of the spirit and the wood in creating the definitive whisky. These tours are held on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 14:00. Other times may be available by arrangement. Drams of Distinction Tasting - £40 per person This is a truly special tasting experience of samples of rare whiskies paired with a delicious culinary bite chosen to highlight the exquisite flavours of the whisky. This tasting lasts a maximum of 1 hour and takes place on Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 and 15:00 and at 11:00 on Saturday. Other times may be available by arrangement.

http://www.theglenlivet.com

Email

01340 821720

The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre
Glenlivet
AB37 9DB

Cafe

The Old Maltings Coffee Shop

RE-OPENS 13th MARCH 2017 *Achieved Visit Scotland's Taste our Best Award* Located within The Glenlivet Distillery Visitor Centre, the Old Maltings Coffee Shop offers a wide range of light snacks and refreshments including homemade soup, freshly... read more

The Old Maltings Coffee Shop

The following tours are available at this award-winning visitor centre: The Glenlivet Classic Tour - This classic tour offers you a sensory introduction to the whole, finely-crafted process of whisky-making in our modern distillery. You'll see the racked casks of slowly maturing malts in a traditional bonded warehouse and then an invitation to toast George Smith, with a dram of The Glenlivet, on the very land he once farmed nearly two hundred years ago. Cost: £10 per person Daily tours from 10am and every half hour, and last tour at 4.30pm Duration: 1 1/4 hours (pre-booking advised) Maximum group size: 16 Open to visitors age 18 and over Audio guides available in French, German, Italian and Spanish subject to availability Definitive Spirit Tour and Tasting - £65 per person This fascinating experience lasts around 2.5 hours, and includes a full distillery tour with a dram from a cask in one of our warehouses. In our tasting room, guests will enjoy an exploration of the spirit cuts, followed by a selection of The Glenlivet whiskies from our range, enabling them to comprehend the complex marriage of the spirit and the wood in creating the definitive whisky. These tours are held on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 14:00. Other times may be available by arrangement. Drams of Distinction Tasting - £40 per person This is a truly special tasting experience of samples of rare whiskies paired with a delicious culinary bite chosen to highlight the exquisite flavours of the whisky. This tasting lasts a maximum of 1 hour and takes place on Tuesday and Thursday at 11:00 and 15:00 and at 11:00 on Saturday. Other times may be available by arrangement.

http://www.theglenlivet.com/

Email

01340 821720

The Glenlivet Distillery
Glenlivet
AB37 9DB

Knock Earth House

You can take a pleasant walk through the Glenlivet countryside to this mysterious stone lined underground chamber.

It was discovered in the 1960’s by a ploughman working his field and is thought to originally have been a... read more

Knock Earth House

A walk off of the West Avonside Path will take you to this underground chamber, thought to be used to house an illicit whisky still.