The B9136 runs through Strath Avon in west Banffshire. The route was originally unclassified but had gained its number by 1932. Following the wonderfully clear River Avon (pronounced Aan), it is a narrower but more scenic alternative to the B9008.
Milestone
The route starts next to the Bridge of Avon on the A939 a little north west of Tomintoul. The first 100m or so are the original route of the A939, before the new bridge was built over the river, but on reaching a turn for the old bridge the B9136 finds the southern end of its original route. Staying on the eastern bank of the River Avon, there are initially small, gently sloping fields below the road, but the steeply wooded slopes ahead squeeze the road onto the river bank for a time, before it winds away past Strathavon Lodge, cutting through the hills and crossing the Conglass Water at Ruthven Bridge. A wooded section brings the road back round into Starth Avon, and even though it runs parallel to the river, the river has cut a deep channel in the valley floor meaning it is rarely seen from the road. A large meander then cuts deep into the hillside below the road, briefly opening up some spectacular views of the river and wider valley.
As the river sweeps back across the valley floor, the road drops down to the flat farmland alongside and runs past the parish church and through patches of woodland. It climbs a little through the trees when the river meanders back to the east side of the valley, but soon drops back to pass the Tomintoul Distillery. This pattern of fields and woodland, with the road climbing everytime the river meanders over to the east side of the valley is repeated time and time again, with a handful of farms passed, but nothing resembling a village. The scenery, however, is stunning. This whole upland area south of Strathspey is a beautiful part of the country, and Strath Avon doesn't disappoint. As the road steadily drops downstream, the road seems to climb more than fall, and whilst it loses about 100m along its length, most of that is in the first few miles.
Halfway down the Strath, a turning to the left leads across Silver Bridge to the western bank of the river, but the B9136 keeps heading north, passing the distinctive and recently painted milestones. Eventually, the route reaches Drumin Castle, where the original route of the B9136, drops down past the castle to cross the river on Drumin Bridge. Today, however, the route turns up Glen Livet a little to cross the Livet at Bridge of Livet, meeting the B9008 on the far side.
