Walk: Mar Lodge Estate – bash through the Clais

📌 Braemar, Aberdeenshire
★★★

The National Trust for Scotland’s Mar Lodge Estate covers 7% of the Cairngorms National Park, incorporating four of the UK’s five highest hills. Taking a hike here doesn’t have to involve climbing Munros though, as the region also contains some of the most beautiful glens in Scotland. The treeless Clais Fhearnaig (Hollow of the Alders) connects the pine-filled glens of Quoich and Lui, concealing a sheltered lochan in its narrow confines: an idyllic spot and perfect place for a picnic. Don’t miss the Linn of Quoich near the start (attractive rapids rather than a dramatic waterfall), with the round Punch Bowl pothole just above the footbridge. Depending on which legend you believe, the Earl of Mar poured spirit inside to toast either successful deer hunts or the Jacobite cause.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at Victoria Bridge, minor road 3 mi west of Braemar. Alternative start at Linn of Quoich, elsewhere on walk route

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NO 102895

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.988162,-3.478888

❌ No public transport within 1 mi

🚗 Space for a couple of cars only – or larger car park (charge) at Linn of Quoich

📝 Key info

▶ 16 km / 10 mi | ▲ 410 m | ⌛ 4.5-5.5 hr

Features: 🌲 Mar Lodge Estate; 🌊 Linn of Quoich ★★★; 💧 Clais Fhearnaig

⬤ Moderate | Good paths and tracks, mostly gentle gradients.

➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – cross bridge into Mar Lodge Estate – Linn of Quoich car park – east bank of Quoich Water – cross back at Linn of Quoich – Glen Quoich – cross Allt Clais Fhearnaig – Clais Fhearnaig – Glen Lui – Doire Bhraghad – Claybokie – Victoria Bridge via footpath along River Dee – start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Forest birds; lots of newts in the puddles alongside the track below Doire Bhraghad.

Weather: Sunny with light winds, with fresh snow on surrounding hills.

April 2012