Heritage Paths ~ Kilbo Path

Cairngorms National Park

NO 252 738: Which way? A single set of footprints passes the signpost for the Kilbo Path right of way. The sign is long gone (January 2008) but a rime formation takes its place pointing the way of the path into Glen Prosen.

Kilbo Path Return to Map

Start location: Kilbo (ruin), Glen Prosen (NO 248 709)

End location: Glen Doll (NO 278 762)

Geographical area: Cairngorms National Park

Path type: Rural Path

Path distance: 7.5km

Accessibillity info: Suitable for pedestrians

Route Description Heritage Information Gallery Map

From the ruin at Kilbo take the path north through larch woods onto the open hillside at Cairn Dye and along a barely discernible path on the Shank of Drumwhallo. The plateau is reached at about 850m and a ScotWays signpost* at NO253737 formerly indicated a turn of direction to east-northeast for about 700m to the edge of the plateau just north-west of the col between Mayar and Driesh. Very careful navigation is needed in mist. Descend the path on the east side of the Shank of Drumfollow into Corrie Kilbo and Glendoll Forest, and continue along a track over the White Water to the Glen Doll Ranger Base at the Forestry Commission Scotland carpark at the end of the public road. A little further on at Braedownie, the Carn Dearg Mountaineering Club's Hut can be booked by mountaineering clubs and other groups.

*This signpost was one of ScotWays very few high-level signs. The directional plates have gone missing twice, possibly due to their presence being controversial. The pole itself is still a useful navigational aid.

OS Landranger 44 (Ballater & Glen Clova)

This path is certainly quite old as it appears in older Ordnance Survey maps but its use, so far, is a bit of a mystery. As the ruined house in Kilbo is an old deerwatcher's house it could be surmised that it is an old and well constructed stalkers' path. It is also thought to be a possible droving route.

The Heritage Paths project is pleased to announce that Neil Ramsay (our former Project Officer) and Nate Pedersen (one of our earliest volunteers) have teamed up to write an ebook - The Mounth Passes - with photography by long-standing ScotWays member Graham Marr. If you too are interested in the heritage of these old ways through the Grampian Mountains, we highly recommend it.

Footbridge crossing the Prosen Water at Kilbo, just one RSJ.

Kilbo, a ruin at the head of Glen Prosen. This would have been an important stance on the Mounth road south from Glen Doll and Deeside.

NO 247 725: the Kilbo Path. The northern side of the pass is busy, being the trade route up two munros. The southern Prosen side is quieter, and a more gentle path, but needs a far longer approach from the nearest public road.

NO 248 715: Kilbo Path. The Mounth road from Glen Doll to Glen Prosen. Here it is running through a forestry plantation. The path is wet, muddy and shrouded in trees. Most unpleasant (March 2009).

NO 248 718: just inside the plantation, this is where much of the snow that was blown off the moorland ended up. Long after the hills were clear of snow, a huge drift remained here, across the Kilbo path. Many trees have been damaged (March 2009).

NO 248 720: signpost where the estate all-terrain-vehicle path leaves the Kilbo Path. The estate track over King's Seat may be a better option, the path south down to Kilbo from here follows a very muddy path through a Sitka plantation.

NO 249 713: Roe Deer on the Kilbo Path.

NO 249 729: looking down the Shank of Drumwhallo towards Glen Prosen. The Kilbo path links Glen Prosen and Glen Doll by a high but easy pass.

NO 251 735: Kilbo Path looking south. The quieter Glen Prosen side of the Mounth road running down the Shank of Drumwhallo.

NO 259 739: on the Shank of Drumfollow. Looking towards South Craig south of Mayar.