Cnoc Fergan – This Hump was located north-west of Tomintoul. I parked at the side of the B9136 Tomintoul to Glenlivit Road, west of Achlichnie Farm in Strath Avon, crossed the road then a stile before descending to the River Avon.
![Cnoc Fergan from the B9136](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/01-Cnoc-Fergan-from-the-B9136.jpg)
I walked briefly south along its east bank passing through an open gate to reach a swing footbridge.
![Bridge over River Avon](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/02-Bridge-over-River-Avon.jpg)
![River Avon looking south](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/03-River-Avon-looking-south.jpg)
![River Avon looking north](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/04-River-Avon-looking-north.jpg)
Once on the other side of this gated bridge I headed north for a short distance before crossing a couple of fences then pushing my way through some tall pines to reach an area of forest that had been harvested. Brash and a forest track were crossed as I climbed towards mature trees.
![Carn Meilich](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/05-Carn-Meilich.jpg)
![Ascent route](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/06-Ascent-route.jpg)
On reaching them I discovered lots of windblown timber making for difficult and awkward progress.
![Wind blown timber blocking ascent route](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/07-Wind-blown-timber-blocking-ascent-route.jpg)
Once through this area I was into a gap in the trees with some long heather then the open hillside. The highest point of Cnoc Fergan wasn’t obvious amongst the long heather so I wandered about a bit before descending slightly to the south of the upward route.
![Carn Tuairneir and Creagan a' Chaise](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/08-Carn-Tuairneir-and-Creagan-aChaise.jpg)
![Carn a' Ghille Chearr](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/09-Carn-aGhille-Chearr.jpg)
![Ben Rinnes in the distance](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/10-Ben-Rinnes-in-the-distance.jpg)
Carn Meilich – This Hump was located north of Tomintoul. I parked in the quarry to the south-west of Carn Meilich, just off the minor road east of Tomachlaggan Farm and accessed from the B9136 Tomintoul to Glenlivit Road, a short distance from my parking area for Cnoc Fergan. This was the overflow car park for the Glenlivet Bike Trails, the main car park beside the cafe required payment.
I walked back up the track keeping to the right at the junction then onto and passed the cafe and car park where there was a locked gate to prevent vehicular access.
![Start of route to Carn Meilich](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/11-Start-of-route-to-Carn-Meilich.jpg)
![Cafe and parking for Glenlivet Mountain Bike Trails](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/12-Cafe-and-parking-for-Glenlivet-Mountain-Bike-Trails.jpg)
I continued along this track until near its highest point where I left it and walked through the trees where there was some windblown timber to cross. I reached a point which appeared to be the summit, marked by a single stone on top of a boulder. I also visited ground to the north-east which may have been as high. There were obvious no views as I was within the forest so I returned by the ascent route.
Cnoc Lochy – This Hump was located north of Tomintoul. I left my car on the verge north of the house The Old Kennels on the minor Tomintoul to Croughly Road and crossed a stile before descending to the footbridge over the Conglass Water, part of the Speyside Way.
![Start of walk, part of the Speyside Way](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/13-Start-of-walk-part-of-the-Speyside-Way.jpg)
![Cnoc Lochy](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/14-Cnoc-Lochy.jpg)
![Bridge over Conglass Water](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/15-Bridge-over-Conglass-Water.jpg)
A short distance beyond this bridge I left this trail, crossed a fence, and commenced the ascent of Cnoc Lochy.
Underfoot conditions were a bit rough but beyond another fence the ground cover consisted initially of heather then long grass. This took me to a vehicle track just south of the telecommunications tower. On its north side there was another fence which I crossed via a stile then I was on fairly level ground where the highest point was apparently located. I wandered around but was unable to say for certainty where the summit was. I then returned by the upward route.
![Cnoc Fergan and Creagan a' Chaise](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/16-Cnoc-Fergan-and-Creagan-aChaise.jpg)
![Carn Meilich and Carn a' Ghille Chearr](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/17-Carn-Meilich-and-Carn-aGhille-Chearr.jpg)
![Braes of Glenlivet](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/18-Braes-of-Glenlivet.jpg)
![Ladder Hills](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/19-Ladder-Hills.jpg)
![Towards the Lecht](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20-Towards-the-Lecht.jpg)
![Tomintoul](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/21-Tomintoul.jpg)
![Ben Avon in the distance](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/22-Ben-Avon-in-the-distance.jpg)
![Towards Bridge of Avon](https://scotlandhills.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/23-Towards-Bridge-of-Avon.jpg)
- Total time – 4.25 hours.
- Total distance – 9.25 kilometres.
- Total height climbed – 550 metres.