Gentle Trails

Whether you’re a casual stroller or a seasoned rambler, Blairgowrie will put a spring in your step!

• The River Ericht Path (8 miles/13 km): includes minor road and off road walking, so stout footware is recommended. Past historic riverside mills, over Kitty Swanson’s bridge and back alongside open fields of wheat, barley and, of course, strawberries.

• The Knockie Path (3 miles/5 km): from the Wellmeadow to Cargill’s Leap then on to Knockie Hill and its views of the Sidlaws. Includes a couple of fairly step climbs.

• The Ardblair Trail (3 miles/5 km): a gentle, level route past Newton and Ardblair castles. Sections are suitable for horse riders and mountain bikers.

• Stormont Loch: there are good tracks around the loch and adjacent woodland.

• Bluebell Wood (3 miles/3 km): Only gentle gradients, but with mixed ground conditions. Through Darroch Wood, past the White Loch (where fishermen and ospreys compete for trout) and on to Druidsmere Wood.

• Drimmie Wood (4 miles/7 km): Starting from the Drimmie Wood car park, there are good tracks with gentle gradients, suitable for mountain biking and horse riding, as well as walking. An ancient drove road through spruce, ash and oak with views to the Angus hills and the Sidlaws.

• North Wood, Meikleour: even ground and good tracks past the Neolithic “Cleaven Dyke” and the tallest hedge in the world!

Local companies Perthshire Wildlife and Outdoor Explore both provide interesting programmes of guided walks for all abilities and experience, including Guided Beaver Tours – Perthshire is one of the best places to see European beavers in the wild.

Challenging Climbs

For something more challenging for fit and well-prepared walkers,  there are at least a dozen Munros accessible from Glenshee, such as Glas Maol, where a relatively short (though strenuous) walk will take you to the highest point in the area.

Or you can explore The Cateran Trail (64 miles/103 km), Scotland's circular first long distance trail, through farmland, forest and moorland, using ancient tracks and drove roads. The trail can best be tackled in five stages:

• Blairgowrie to Kirkmichael: along the River Ericht and down to Bridge of Cally amidst beautiful scenery.
• Kirkmichael to Spittal of Glenshee: up to Lairig Gate and its stunning mountain views then down to the Spittal.
• Spittal of Glenshee to Kirkton of Glenisla: south by the Shee Water past the castles of Dalnagar and Forter and the lochs of Auchintaple and Shandra.
• Kirkton of Glenisla to Alyth: breathtaking panoramas down the glen before arriving in Alyth.
• Alyth to Blairgowrie:follow the Alyth Burn with its sandstone cliffs back to Blairgowrie.

Throughout the year the Ramblers - Blairgowrie District and the Blairgowrie & District Hillwalking Club organise guided walks for their members. Both welcome visitors, but you should contact the organiser in advance to register your interest.

Now what? Fishing? Cycling? Golf? Skiing? Touring?