Glen
Glen Quoich
The glen east of Glen Lui — the Punch Bowl rock pool beside the Linn of Quoich car park, and a long track north towards Beinn a' Bhuird.
- Munros
- 3
- Corbetts
- 3
- Grahams
- 1
- Bothies
- 1
- Wild swimming
- 1
The Quoich Water runs south out of the Cairngorms to join the Dee a short way west of Braemar. Its glen starts at the Linn of Quoich car park at Allanaquoich, reached by the minor road along the north side of the Dee — not from the Linn of Dee, which is the start for Glen Lui. Beside the car park is the Punch Bowl: a natural hole in a rock in the middle of the river, which tradition links to the Earl of Mar.
The name is usually derived from the Gaelic cuach, a cup — the same root as the Scottish quaich. Above the linn a track follows the river north into the upper glen on Mar Lodge Estate (National Trust for Scotland) land, towards Beinn a' Bhuird; beyond the tree line it is open hill country that needs full navigation competence.
The road in
End of road
The minor road along the north side of the Dee ends at the Linn of Quoich car park at Allanaquoich, beside the Punch Bowl. Beyond it an estate track follows the Quoich Water north; above the tree line the ground is open hill country.
Parking1 spot
Linn of Quoich car park (Allanaquoich)
Charging details not published online — check signs on site
Beside the Punch Bowl. This is not the Linn of Dee car park, which serves Glen Lui.
Hills from Glen Quoich3 Munros · 3 Corbetts · 1 Grahams
Bothies in the glen1 in range
Wild swimming1 spot nearby
What's in the glen
The Punch Bowl
A natural hole in a rock in the middle of the Quoich Water at the Linn of Quoich, traditionally associated with the Earl of Mar. A few minutes from the Allanaquoich car park; most dramatic after heavy rain.
Quoich Water
Our take
See the Punch Bowl — it is a few minutes from the car park, and at its most dramatic after rain when the Quoich Water is running hard. Keep back from the edge in spate. If you want a full day, carry on up the glen; the upper Quoich is open hill country, not a family walk.
History
Glen Quoich is part of the Mar Lodge Estate, owned by the National Trust for Scotland since 1995. The Trust manages the estate for the regeneration of native pinewood, which depends on keeping red deer numbers low enough for young trees to establish.
Practical
- Mobile signal
- Signal at Linn of Dee. No signal in the glen itself.
- Midges
- Low–moderate(2/5)
- Public transport
- None that we can confirm — check Traveline Scotland. The Linn of Quoich car park is a short drive west of Braemar.
- Dogs
- On lead — livestock or ground-nesting birds present.
Map
Hills (green), bothies (brown), parking (blue), wild swimming (light blue).
Nearby glens
Scotland outdoor updates
Route guides, condition reports and seasonal picks — once a month, no noise.
Glen Quoich — common questions
- What's the road into Glen Quoich like?
- Unsealed track — rough surface, not suitable for low cars. The minor road along the north side of the Dee ends at the Linn of Quoich car park at Allanaquoich, beside the Punch Bowl. Beyond it an estate track follows the Quoich Water north; above the tree line the ground is open hill country.
- Is Glen Quoich suitable for motorhomes and campervans?
- Not recommended. Glen Quoich has narrow sections, tight turns, or limited passing space that make it difficult for motorhomes and large campervans. Park at the road end of a wider valley and continue on foot.
- How bad are the midges in Glen Quoich?
- Glen Quoich's midge rating is 2/5 — moderate from late May to September. Sheltered, humid evenings are the worst; high wind and the high tops are safest. Carry Smidge and a head net from May onwards.
- Is wild camping allowed in Glen Quoich?
- Wild camping in Scotland is legal under the Land Reform Act 2003 on most unenclosed land, subject to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Avoid enclosed agricultural ground, camp in small numbers, and leave no trace. The Loch Lomond and Trossachs Camping Management Zones (which restrict wild camping in marked areas March-September) do not apply to Glen Quoich.
- Is there public transport to Glen Quoich?
- None that we can confirm — check Traveline Scotland. The Linn of Quoich car park is a short drive west of Braemar.