The Livet Path

The Livet Path is Glenlivet Estate’s Walk 3, a 9.5 km (6 mi) circular walk from Allanreid along the River Livet and onto open heather moor before returning by farm tracks. Allow 3–4 hours. About 150 m of ascent is modest, but rough, sometimes muddy ground, exposed moor and faint turns make this a moderate half-day walk.

Start at Allanreid car park, cross the road bridge by the memorial cairn, and take the right fork onto the farm track. At the first footbridge stay on the north bank. The route leaves the river through trees, crosses a small ford by boardwalk, then uses a footbridge near Inverblye. Follow the south bank for about 1.5 km; at a pedestrian gate, leave the main track and follow the fence and faint track over moor toward Blye Water. Continue above Rhindhu and through fields near Eskemore and Badievochel. At the later gates-and-tracks junction, keep to the right of the fence down toward Glack, pass the cottage on its left and cross the Livet footbridge back toward Allanreid. This return was altered near Glack in December 2024.

The River Livet’s name is traced to Gaelic liobh ait, “smooth flowing one.” The open moor was historically used as hunting ground by the Dukes of Richmond and Gordon. Look for grouse, curlews and lapwings; red deer may browse on the lower northern Ladder Hills. The stony track cutting through purple heather toward rounded hills makes the walk’s strongest landscape view.

Blue eagle markers guide the estate walk, but follow the fences and gates carefully where the moor track fades. Sheep and cattle graze the route. Keep dogs on a lead or under close control; release a dog if cattle threaten it. Grouse shooting can restrict access to the moor, so check with the estate before setting out.