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Tomintoul

Tomintoul is the highest village in the Caingorms and the largest community on Glenlivet Estate.  It oozes history and rugged grandeur, having been founded by a Duke in the 18th century.  Situated halfway between Aviemore and Royal Deeside, Tomintoul makes an ideal base for exploring the SnowRoads and the Cairngorms National Park. 

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

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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/Glenlivet Estate

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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

Still Art Installation

Still by Angus Ritchie offers views overlooking Tomintoul reflected in its sides as it towers over the softly textured and colourful landscape.

The installation also uses the left over spoils of the quarry and uses the stone and Gabion... read more

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Still Art Installation

One of three scenic route installation on the Snow Roads enticing you to discover new perspectives on stunning viewpoints.

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

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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

https://cairngormsdarkskypark.org/

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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/

Canyoning and Gorge Walking

Ailnack Gorge

A short distance from Tomintoul is the Ailnack Gorge, Scotland's largest glacial melt water channel at 600 ft wide, 300 ft deep and 6 miles long.

You can walk from the village on a good walking path and the wooded slopes... read more

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Ailnack Gorge

At 600 ft wide, 300 ft deep and 6 miles long, the Ailnack Gorge is Scotland's largest glacial melt water channel.

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

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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.

Toplis Bothy

The Toplis Bothy lies on the A939 road from Tomintoul to Ballater, close to The Well of the Lecht. The now derelict bothy has an intriguing history thanks to Percy Toplis, a renowned criminal, who was found hiding out in the bothy in the... read more

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Toplis Bothy

A small bothy near the Well of the Lecht with an intriguing history

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

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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.

Lecht Mine (Well of the Lecht)

Iron ore was mined here between 1730 and 1737 and from 1841 manganese was mined.  At its peak more than 60 men worked at the mine but operations ceased in 1846 due to the falling price of maganese.

Today only the building of the... read more

Well of the Lecht
Between the Lecht and Tomintoul

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Lecht Mine (Well of the Lecht)

A pleasant short walk from the car park takes you to the isolated site of the Lecht Mine, a former iron and manganese mining site.

Well of the Lecht
Between the Lecht and Tomintoul