Old Pines Path, Glen Tanar

Old Pines Path is a circular walk of 8.3 km (5.2 miles) from the Braeloine Visitor Centre through Glen Tanar’s pinewood to Knockie viewpoint, then back along the Water of Tanar. Allow 2 to 2.5 hours; the route gains about 70 m in a few short, gentle slopes. Most of the going is on crushed stone and grass. It is a longer, easygoing estate walk for woodland, river and a high view into the glen, rather than a remote hill day.

Braeloine car park is charged and sits across the old Bridge of Tanar from the visitor centre; cross the bridge to reach the waymarked start. The route follows the river upstream before curving away through woodland and passing the Chapel of St Lesmo. Tracks branch toward other estate walks, so follow the green markers at junctions.

Beyond the chapel, the track climbs gently along the old Firmounth right of way to Knockie viewpoint. There is a view indicator and interpretation boards, with the upper pinewood and moorland beyond. The path descends to the glen floor, passes a spring marked 1874, crosses the Burn of Skinna and Allachy Water, then crosses the wider River Tanar. From there the loop turns down the glen along an old Mounth Road before branching by a forest lochan and boathouse, crossing Knockie Bridge and returning through a grassy field beside the river.

The Chapel of St Lesmo was built by Sir William Cunliffe Brooks in 1870. Its deerskin-lined pews are an unusual detail if you can see inside; the chapel is usually closed, so plan on viewing it from the path. The old Mounth Roads linked Deeside with the Angus Glens. On the riverside return, a fenced granite millstone marks an old watermill site, and a nearby conical building once housed a turbine.

Glen Tanar holds one of the largest remnants of Caledonian Scots pinewood on the Cairngorms’ south side. Red squirrels, crested tits and crossbills live in the woods; a capercaillie is a lucky sighting. At Knockie viewpoint, frame the upper glen through a Scots pine at the edge of the shot so the forest below stays visible.

Toilets and drinking water are available at the visitor centre. If you want the viewpoint with less walking, the separate Knockie Viewpoint waymarked route is listed at 3.2 km. Dogs can accompany walkers under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code; keep them under proper control around livestock and wildlife.