Whether it is a walk to stretch the dog’s legs or an all-day hike, walking around Old Milton has something for everyone. You might want to get lost in the Inshriach Forest, climb the munro Sgor Gaoith (pronounced Sgor Gooee), or amble down the Badenoch Way. Guests are welcome to borrow maps or if you have OS maps on your phone we are happy to send you traces.
The Old Milton Circuit:
An hour long walk up to the Badenoch Way and through the Inshriach Forest. Not far from the house, a path leads to the small hamlet of Inveruglass. Here you join the Badenoch Way, a disabled access pathway that connects Aviemore to Kingussie. Once on the Badenoch Way you are treated to views of the Strathspey Valley, Mondaliath Mountains, Inshriach Forest, and the western edge of the Cairngorms. After about 1km on the Badenoch way, a path back through a delightfully quiet woodland cutting completes a great circuit from the house. Look out for deer, chantrelle mushrooms and mountain hares. Suitable for all levels of experience.
Around Loch an Eilien.
Approximately 20 minutes drive from the house is the picturesque Loch an Eilen on the Rothiemurchius Estate. In the middle of the loch is an island ruin– a scene sure to ignite the imagination of any adventurous child. The walk around the loch takes about an hour and a half, and there are some great picnic spots along the way. The path is pram friendly and there is a small gift shop at the start of the circuit. For the more adventurous, the path up to Glen Einich that branches off the Loch an Eilen circuit is well worth it – but allow a whole day. Suitable for all levels of experience. The path up to Glen Einich is more challenging.
Glen Tromie.
The River Tromie carves its way from the southern Cairngorms, through Glen Tromie, and spills into the River Spey about 1km from Old Milton. A dirt road up the glen, with the Tromie on your right hand side, will take you past the refurbished Killiehuntly Guest House and up to the imposing Glen Tromie Lodge, offering fantastic views on the way. Here you can cross the Tromie and follow the river back along a narrow path and through a quiet strip of woodland, or you can head up and over Eihg Mor and enjoy panormic views of the Spey valley, Cairngorms and Inshriach marshes. The path leads to an outlook over Ruthven Barracks and the road back to Old Milton. Suitable for most levels – leave three hours.
Glen Feshie.
About 10 minutes’ drive from Old Milton are three lochan, small lochs nestled in to the northern edge of the Inshriach Forest. Leaving the cars at the signposted car park, follow the path down to Feshiebridge, a popular swimming and picnic spot in the summer. The path follows the Feshie as it makes its way down from the central Cairngorms, and the narrow valley with steep, woodlined, banks opens into a wide river basin with scattered pine trees and the occasional abandoned croft. The walking is easy with spectacular views, and the path veers off the river and back to the car park making an enjoyable 3 hour loop. Suitable for most levels.
The other side of the Spey.
Separating the Spey Valley from the Great Glen – which connects Fort William and Inverness, are the Monadhliath Mountains. There is enough walking in this mountain range to keep a keen rambler busy for weeks. One less taxing favourite is a climb to the top of Creag Bhu, a peak that overlooks the town of Kingussie. The well-marked path starts in the car park in Kingussie Golf Club. It is about an hour to the top and 45 mins down.
For more information on the area click here or to book Old Milton for your next family holiday, click here.