Monday 12 August 2013

Tomintoul And Glenlivet Walking Festival

The Tomintoul and Glenlivet walking festival is held in the spectacular Cairngorms National Park over the August bank holiday - 29/08 - 02/09.
So if you have never been to the Cairngorms before this is a great opportunity to go and walk guided in some of the best walking country in the UK.

Tomintoul [Tom-an-towel] is at a height of 350m / 1165ft and is reputed to be the highest village in the Highlands. Tomintoul from the gaelic Tom-an t-sabhail meaning mound of the barn or barn knoll. The village is situated between two rivers; the Avon [A’an] to the west and the Conglass to the east. The A939 runs through and is on the line of the old military road built following the Jacobote rebellion of 1745. It also sits at a junction of several old cattle droving trails that run through the surrounding hills. The village was founded in the 18th Century by Alexander, 4th Duke of Gordon.But how much would it be to attend this walking festival? We have designed a long walking weekend that starts on the Wednesday night and goes through to the following Tuesday. Almost a week of guided walking.

We have chosen the Glenlivet bed and breakfast on the outskirts of the Cairngorm national park.

Itinerary


Day 1 28/08

Check into the Glenlivet bed and breakfast.

Day 2 29/08

Start of the Festival

Festival “Day of Gathering”. Guides, helpers and walkers meet to celebrate the opening of the Festival. The day begins with a short trail walk of 3 hours, followed by a distillery visit, a picnic lunch (provided) and a whisky tasting/talk.

Night Walk on Ben Rinnes, leave one hour before dusk, ascend this steep Corbett, descend in the dark. For the fit walker. Time 3 hours.  Start/finish NJ28243547.

Day 3 30/08

Loch Morlich, a low level ramble for all in this scenic area. 4.5 hours.  Start/finish Glenmore NH 97840980.

Day 4 31/08

Braeriach, a great munro, 3rd highest. Time 8+ hours. Start/finish Sugar Bowl NH98540747.

Day 5 01/09

Loch an Eilein. A superb low level walk for all abilities.Time 4/5 hours. Start/finishLoch an Eilein NH89840859.

Day 6 02/10

Check out of Bed and Breakfast

A special experience in the Cromdale Hills, choose to ascend two Grahams or to ascend one Graham and to work on practical navigation skills. Start/Finish Silver Bridge. NJ15252624.

How Much?
For two people with 5 nights bed and breakfast at the Glenlivet is £450
The walks are £145 per person.

Total is £370 for 5 nights bed and breakfast with 6 guided walks over 5 days.

Conclusion:

An amazing place to walk but also vast so to be guided is great in this area. All the guides are qualified mountain leaders. 
The walks cost more than most walking festivals but this is a one off walking experience which at £370 per person is still a great bargain and one that I would be very interested attending.

The next walking festival we will be looking at is the Corwen Walking Festival in Wales on the 31/08.

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