Alyth to Blairgowrie – Following a Cateran Trail

Just before a stand of pines go through a gate and follow the path on the left side of the fence. Where the grassy path splits (the summit of the Hill of Alyth is over to the right) keep straight ahead following the marker post to head through gorse and then bear left at the next path junction to cross the moorland aiming for the wind turbines in the distance. Keep following the marker posts as the route descends to reach a minor road. Cross this, following the sign for Bridge of Cally, and head down a track to a stile and follow the lane between hedges.

At a gate head straight on through beech trees and turn left onto a marked path just before a ruined building. Follow the path, passing an area rich with the signs for beaver activity – you can see the dam building and tree felling activities of these creatures and you might even spot one in the water, though they are nocturnal. When the path reaches a track, turn right and bear right again to pass to the left of Bamff House. At the back of the house turn right and head along the track to Home Farm, turning left just before the house to follow a track which eventually emerges onto the road.

Turn right along the road and then left at the next junction to cross rolling countryside with a wind farm visible on the right. Where the road turns sharp left at a house (Heatheryhaugh), keep straight ahead to follow a farm track. A wooden kissing gate soon leads to a boggy path between fences which steadily climbs. Cross a couple of double gates continuing in a straight line along a high ridge with good views down into the glen.

At a kissing gate the path emerges onto a track, follow this downhill until the surfaced road is reached. Turn right here and follow it as it passes the houses of Netherton and crosses the bridge over the Black Water. When it reaches the A93 turn left and follow a pavement which is fenced off from the main road at first. After the sharp bend the route heads down to Bridge of Cally where there is a shop and hotel. Cross the bridge, and cross the road to the hotel side and right up a track immediately after passing the hotel. This leads into the forest and soon reaches a junction; at this point you rejoin the outward stage of the Cateran Trail from Blairgowrie. Turn left to begin the walk back.

The track climbs up, with ever improving views looking back, and curves right by some woodland. It then continues a fairly muddy but direct course across almost level moorland, with extensive views. Keep straight on at all junctions, though the route is well marked as ever. Eventually the track curves left and slopes down to meet a larger track; turn right along this. The track then becomes a road at Middleton and drops down to cross a bridge before climbing past West Gormack. Shortly after this turn left onto a path (waymarked).

The path leads between a fence and stone wall until a stile and then follows the left edge of the field before heading half way round the bottom of the same field and turning left following the signs to another stile and another fenced in section of path. This emerges near a barn, go straight across the track and follow the path until it reaches the minor road just beyond a gate. Turn left and head uphill, turning sharp left at the bend where the road levels off. Ignore a gate on the right which is part of the Knockie circular route from Blairgowrie. After passing a gate the road soon reaches a T junction with a good view over Blairgowrie opposite. Turn left and follow the road downhill past Lornty far.

At the bottom of the hill turn right onto a track to pass Bracklinn Mill now a private house. Follow the riverside track, with further ruined mill buildings and a large converted one on the far side. The Cateran Trail stays on the higher track, although a lower path loops down to a viewing platform for Cargill’s Leap, a narrow point over the river where a Covenanter made a dramatic escape. Keep following the track downstream until a signed flight of wooden steps is taken on the left. From here it is only a short distance to the Riverside Car Park at the end of the route. The centre of Blairgowrie, which has all services, can be reached by following the car park entrance road.