Munro · Cairngorms
Tolmount
Tolmount (958m) is a broad Mounth plateau Munro reached via the historic Jock's Road path from Glen Doll, the long-disputed drove and military road that crosses the Mounth from Glen Clova to Deeside. The hill sits centrally on the broad upland between the Glenshee Munros and the Lochnagar massif, partnered with neighbouring Tom Buidhe in a quiet pair of plateau Munros. The summit views span the empty Mounth tableland.
Quick facts
- Height
- 957.8m/ 3142ft
- Prominence
- 74 m
- Distance
- 17 km
- Ascent
- 843 m
- Time
- 5–8 hrs
- Grid ref
- NO210800
- Parking
- NO283762
- Nearest city
- Dundee· 53km
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).
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Standard route
Glen path 35% · Open moorland 45% · Summit 20%
Park at the Glen Doll car park (Forestry Commission, charge applies). Take the well-marked Jock's Road path north up Glen Doll past the Davy's Bourach howff, climbing onto the broad Mounth plateau at the head of the glen. From the high point of Jock's Road, walk west across the broad mossy plateau to Tolmount summit, then continue south to nearby Tom Buidhe before returning via the same path. Around 22km return with 870m of ascent for the pair.
Terrain
The Glen Doll path to the head of Jock's Road follows the old drove route on firm, easily followed ground. Above the Bourach howff the path steepens up onto the plateau. Tolmount's summit area is broad mossy turf and gravel topped by a low cairn. Navigating the broad plateau in cloud requires care — the route between Tolmount and Tom Buidhe is featureless mossy ground.
In winter
A serious Mounth plateau winter day. Jock's Road has a long incident history — five members of the Universal Hiking Club perished here in a 1959 storm. The broad plateau drifts heavily and offers few features for whiteout navigation. Glen Doll access is reliable. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies. Allow extra time and carry full winter kit.
This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow3h 46m
- Edinburgh2h 15m
OS maps: OS Landranger 44
Mobile signal: Signal gone above 800m on the Mounth plateau. Glen Clova has intermittent coverage. Save maps ahead of the drive up the glen.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:55
- Sunset
- 21:44
- Civil dawn
- 04:00
- Civil dusk
- 22:40
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 July 2026
Pair with
Curated multi-hill combinations from Tolmount.
Around Tolmount on the SCOT network
Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.
Getting there: Pitlochry station
Schiehallion, Ben Vrackie, Beinn a Ghlo, Edradour distillery
34km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TripSCOTBase yourself in Ballater
Eastern Cairngorms / Royal Deeside
22km from the hill
tripscot.co.uk
On TasteSCOTAfter the hill: Royal Lochnagar
Balmoral — Queen Victoria's favourite; eastern Cairngorms setting
12km from the hill
tastescot.co.uk
Tolmount — common questions
- How difficult is Tolmount?
- Tolmount carries a 4/5 (challenging) grade on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Count on about 17km, 843m of ascent and a 5-8 hour day on the standard route. Terrain: The Glen Doll path to the head of Jock's Road follows the old drove route on firm, easily followed ground.
- How prominent is Tolmount?
- Tolmount has 74m of topographic prominence — the height of its summit above the highest col connecting it to higher ground.
- Where should I park to climb Tolmount?
- Standard parking is at NO283762. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
- When should I climb Tolmount?
- The standard good-weather months for Tolmount are May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Tolmount?
- On a lead only — the route crosses ground with livestock or nesting-bird interest.
- What's mobile reception like on Tolmount?
- Signal gone above 800m on the Mounth plateau. Glen Clova has intermittent coverage. Save maps ahead of the drive up the glen.
- Is Tolmount safe in winter?
- A serious Mounth plateau winter day. Jock's Road has a long incident history — five members of the Universal Hiking Club perished here in a 1959 storm. The broad plateau drifts heavily and offers few features for whiteout navigation. Glen Doll access is reliable. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies. Allow extra time and carry full winter kit.
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