Tolmount

Tolmount, at 958 metres, looks a fine cone-like peak when seen from Loch Callater, otherwise a close twin to neighbouring Tom Buidhe — a simple, rounded, dome-like upthrust on the wide Mounth plateau between Glen Doll and Glen Callater.

The route starts from the car park at Glen Doll, following the old drove road known as Jock's Road — an ancient right of way that eventually leads all the way to Braemar, some 14 miles distant. The path climbs through the woodlands of Glen Doll before reaching more open ground; where the route splits, most walkers tackle Tom Buidhe first before continuing north to Tolmount, though the reverse order works equally well. From Tom Buidhe, a faint worn path continues west before crossing a small burn in a bowl; beyond, the path largely disappears, requiring a direct uphill line before picking up a line of iron fence posts running between Cairn of Claise and Tom Buidhe — following these posts and a faint path alongside them leads north towards Tolmount, the ground becoming a little rockier as the rather untidy, bouldery summit cairn is reached, with impressively close views of Lochnagar.

From the summit, the route heads east-north-east on a fairly obvious path and fence posts to rejoin Jock's Road, descending through the fine open glen back towards Glen Doll — Crow Craigies, a minor top just off this route, is worth the short detour for those wanting an extra summit.

The combined round taking in both Tolmount and Tom Buidhe from Glen Doll is typically six to seven and a half hours; a longer alternative combines this pair with the four Munros of the Glas Maol group from the top of the Cairnwell Pass, making a substantial day of six Munros in total.

The ground between Tom Buidhe and Tolmount is largely pathless and can become genuinely boggy, with navigation across the featureless plateau demanding real care in poor visibility — full route-finding skills are essential given how easily the faint paths can be lost.

Parking at Glen Doll is chargeable; there is no direct public transport, with Kirriemuir the nearest town.