Let's Go Outside: Rocky road to the ruins

Oct 24 2008 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THIS is one of the loveliest Highland glens, running from woods and farmland around Blair Castle into the heather-covered mountains of the southern Cairngorms.

Wildlife thrives here, though some species are more elusive than others – you’re most likely to see red squirrels, roe deer and buzzards.

The Glen Tilt Trail goes up the west side of the River Tilt and returns down the east side. It is waymarked by yellow arrows on posts, with a choice of longer or shorter routes when you reach Gilbert’s Bridge.

On a few summer days the track through the rifle range is closed for long-range shooting (these dates are listed on the information board in the car park and on the website www.athollestatesrangerservice.co.uk). On those days the Glen Banvie Trail makes an attractive alternative.

1. Arched bridge

Follow yellow arrows towards the River Tilt. Walk upstream and over an arched bridge, which spans the road below. The path continues beside the river then joins the main hard track up the glen. In 40m, another section of riverside path takes you past the Falls of Fender before rejoining the track to walk beside a pasture field. After returning into trees, look out for the next arrow, directing you half left up a grassy track. This runs pleasantly through open birchwood then crosses over a stream and bends uphill through a lovely stand of tall larch trees.

2. Rifle range

Meet a dirt track and turn right along it, soon entering the Jubilee rifle range, where a marvellous view of the glen opens up, revealing almost all the walk ahead. Cross a bridge and go through a gate to follow the track downhill through the range. Keep right where the rifle range track forks then right again at the next fork. At the bottom, cross a concrete bridge over a stream and soon come to a post where the routes divide.

3. Gilbert’s Bridge

The shorter route goes right and crosses Gilbert’s Bridge over the River Tilt. It then turns right on the track back down the glen, but leaves this after 180m to climb left through a woodland strip to a stile, where it rejoins the longer route (at point 6).

The longer route goes through a diamond-shaped gate in a deer fence and follows a track uphill. Soon it levels off to run along the bottom of a pine plantation before dipping down to a gate. Continue on a grassy track through gnarled old birches, passing the scattered ruins of ancient stone cottages.

4. Allt Mhairc

The path crosses a stone bridge over the Allt Mhairc, at a point where the stream squeezes down a narrow fall. Not far beyond, go left at a viewpoint sign up to a row of ruined cottages on a level promontory. Turn right along the low ruins before dropping back down on to the narrow grassy path. The path runs along the top of a steep slope of birch, hazel, rowan and alder. After crossing a stream, continue on riverside grassland where bog plants grow in wet flushes.

5. Gow’s Bridge

The path joins a hard track at Gow’s Bridge, where there is a view of the Beinn a’ Ghlo mountains. Turn right, over the River Tilt and return down the far side. More of the river is now visible, including – opposite the stream you recently crossed – the ‘Queen’s Ford’, used by Mary Queen of Scots when on a hunting trip. Beside a wooden shed, turn left on to a grassy track. It cuts the corner then rejoins the hard track.

Beyond a bend, a post again points left on to a grassy way. Follow it up and through a gate then walk on a level above Auchgobhal farm. Go through another gate and across a stream, passing below a birchwood with thick regeneration.

6. Croftmore

At a post the shorter route joins the longer one and they continue along the upper edge of fenced woodland. Beyond Croftmore Burn, walk through fields above the cottage of Croftmore. A gate leads back into woodland and you soon go left at a fork. Leave the wood and go through another gate to open farmland, where you get a view of Blair Castle.

Walk through a field to a stile below Kincraigie farm then follow a hard track to the minor road through Glen Fender. Turn right, downhill, through the pretty hamlet of Fenderbridge. Keep right beyond the bridge then go right over Old Bridge of Tilt to return under the arched bridge you crossed at the start.

Grade

B – Moderate

Distance

6 or 10 miles (9.6 or 16km).

Time

3 or 5 hours

Terrain

Tracks and paths following an attractive river through increasingly wild terrain – from wood and pasture to moorland with high mountains on either side.

Map

OS Landranger 43.

Start/parking

Turn off the A9 into Blair Atholl and take the Old Blair road at the south end of the village. After going left over a bridge, turn first left into the Glen Tilt car park (signed) GR: NN 874662.

Public transport

Regular buses and trains to Blair Atholl. If arriving by train or bus, take the path up the right side of Blair Castle gateway and fork right after the campsite to reach the car park. Traveline: 0871 200 22 33 or www.travelinescotland.com.

Refreshments

Tea room at Blair Atholl Watermill (open April–October, 10am to 5.30pm), Pizza in the Park/Blair Atholl Chippy or the Atholl Arms Hotel.

Suitable for

All who like a long walk in tranquil surroundings.