How hard is Tom Buidhe?

Tom Buidhe is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 843m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Tom Buidhe summit sits on a broad almost-flat plateau where the high point is barely distinguishable from the surrounding ground.

Where do I park for Tom Buidhe?

Standard parking is at NO283762 near Dundee. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Tom Buidhe?

The standard good-weather months for Tom Buidhe 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 Tom Buidhe?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

How hard is Tom Buidhe?

Tom Buidhe is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 843m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Tom Buidhe summit sits on a broad almost-flat plateau where the high point is barely distinguishable from the surrounding ground.

Where do I park for Tom Buidhe?

Standard parking is at NO283762 near Dundee. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.

When is the best time to climb Tom Buidhe?

The standard good-weather months for Tom Buidhe 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 Tom Buidhe?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary Innes

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Munro · Cairngorms

Tom Buidhe

Tom Buidhe (957m) — "yellow knoll" — is the immediate southern neighbour of Tolmount on the broad Mounth plateau, the two forming a quiet pair always climbed together via Jock's Road from Glen Doll. The hill is the most featureless of the Mounth Munros — barely a defined summit at all, just a slight rise on the broad mossy plateau marked by a small cairn. Confident navigation in mist is the principal challenge.

Gaelic: “hillock, yellow” · Pronunciation: towm boo-yeh

Quick facts

Height: 957.8m/ 3142ft
Distance: 17 km
Ascent: 843 m
Time: 5–8 hrs
Difficulty: 4 / 5Serious
Grid ref: NO213787
Parking: NO283762
Nearest city: Dundee
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

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Standard route

Glen path / Jock's Road 35% · Open moorland plateau 50% · Summit 15%

17km · 843m ascent · 4.8 hrs

See Tolmount for the standard Jock's Road approach from Glen Doll. Tom Buidhe is reached from Tolmount by walking south-east across the broad mossy plateau — about 1km of nearly flat ground with a tiny cairn marking the high point. Most parties continue the round south to take in Mayar and Driesh (the Glen Doll pair) for a four-Munro day. Total round 22km with 870m of ascent for Tolmount + Tom Buidhe.

Terrain

The Tom Buidhe summit sits on a broad almost-flat plateau where the high point is barely distinguishable from the surrounding ground. The 1km traverse from Tolmount crosses mossy turf and gravel — easy walking but devoid of features. Confident map work essential in mist; the summit cairn is small and easy to walk past.

In winter

A serious Mounth plateau winter day. The summit area is among the most featureless in the Cairngorms — whiteout navigation is the principal challenge. The plateau drifts heavily under easterly weather. Glen Doll access is reliable; the Jock's Road path may be obscured under deep snow. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies. Confident map-and-compass technique essential.

This hill is in the Northern Cairngorms SAIS forecast area. Check SAIS forecasts in winter (December–April).

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow3h 45m
Edinburgh2h 14m

Parking: NO283762

OS maps: OS Landranger 44

Mobile signal: No signal above 800m on the Mounth plateau. Glen Clova has intermittent signal. Download maps before leaving Kirriemuir.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

19h 46mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 04:23
Sunset: 22:01
Civil dawn: 03:19
Civil dusk: 23:05

NOAA Solar Calculator · 7 June 2026

Pair with

Curated multi-hill combinations from Tom Buidhe.

Two-hill day
Tom Buidhe + Tolmount
Tom Buidhe and Tolmount are the Jock's Road pair — almost always done together from Glen Doll.
20km · 900m ascent · 6.5 hrs

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Around Tom Buidhe on the SCOT network

Getting there, basing yourself, and what to do off the hill.

On TripSCOT

station

Getting there: Pitlochry station

Schiehallion, Ben Vrackie, Beinn a Ghlo, Edradour distillery

34km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TripSCOT

town

Base yourself in Ballater

Eastern Cairngorms / Royal Deeside

23km from the hill

tripscot.co.uk

On TasteSCOT

distillery

After the hill: Royal Lochnagar

Balmoral — Queen Victoria's favourite; eastern Cairngorms setting

13km from the hill

tastescot.co.uk

Tom Buidhe — common questions

How hard is Tom Buidhe?: Tom Buidhe is rated 4/5 (challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. The standard route covers about 17km with 843m of ascent and takes most walkers 5-8 hours. Terrain: The Tom Buidhe summit sits on a broad almost-flat plateau where the high point is barely distinguishable from the surrounding ground.
Where do I park for Tom Buidhe?: Standard parking is at NO283762 near Dundee. Check the parking grid reference on an OS map before travel; informal laybys can fill on summer weekends.
When is the best time to climb Tom Buidhe?: The standard good-weather months for Tom Buidhe 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 Tom Buidhe?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Tom Buidhe?: No signal above 800m on the Mounth plateau. Glen Clova has intermittent signal. Download maps before leaving Kirriemuir.
Is Tom Buidhe safe in winter?: A serious Mounth plateau winter day. The summit area is among the most featureless in the Cairngorms — whiteout navigation is the principal challenge. The plateau drifts heavily under easterly weather. Glen Doll access is reliable; the Jock's Road path may be obscured under deep snow. SAIS Southern Cairngorms applies. Confident map-and-compass technique essential.

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