Exploring our Roman and medieval past by bike

Feb 27 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE Gask Ridge was the earliest fortified land frontier in the Roman Empire. It predated Hadrian's Wall by 40 years and the Antonine Wall by 60 years, and consisted of a road – lined with signal towers – that connected strategic forts. In later centuries, the area was an important centre of Christianity in medieval times. Although Inchaffray Abbey to the north of the ridge is now an ivy-covered ruin, several old chapels are still in use today. Their churchyards contain some ancient gravestones, engraved with symbols.

This cycle ride makes a tour of the Gask Ridge, visiting the most interesting Roman and medieval sites. Because the ridge is raised above the level of Strathearn, there are superb views to north and south. However, the gradients are generally fairly gentle, with only one long uphill haul back to the start.

The ride can be done on a mountain bike or on a road bike, but if using the latter you may want to avoid some short off road sections, possibly walking to the Roman sites rather than cycling the tracks. The route is mainly on quiet country lanes, except for the unclassified road from Crieff past Madderty St David’s to Huntingtower, which carries surprisingly fast traffic heading to or from Perth.

1. Trinity Gask

Start from the parking area opposite Trinity Gask parish church, which is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The current building dates from 1770 and is still in use. Facing the church, turn left over the ridge. At a right-angled bend, Ardunie Roman Watchtower is signposted; it is one mile along the track to the left. The road then follows the course of the Roman road a short way along the crest of the ridge before another right-angled bend. Here go straight on along a track for half a mile to visit the site of Kirkhill Roman Watchtower. Continue northwards along the road, which goes steeply downhill beyond Chapelhill farm.

2. Madderty

At a crossroads, give way to fast traffic and go straight over down Welltree Road then turn right at a T-junction. Take the next left for Madderty Church and School (straight on will take you over Pow Burn past the site of Inchaffray Abbey, but there is little to see from the road). Go first right beyond the school to St Etheran’s, which is named after a missionary who trained in Ulster and was sent to work among the Picts by St Columba. The chapel has a beautiful, tranquil setting.

3. St David’s

Return along the church drive and turn right and cycle up to a T-junction with the fast road. Turn right along it then first left down to St David’s. It’s worth turning next left to ride through the pretty hamlet before turning right at the next road. Follow this road gently downhill with superb views over Crieff to the mountains. At the next T-junction, go straight over on to a potholed track and follow it all the way downhill to a join the B8062 at a bend and go right along it. (On a road bike you might prefer a longer way round – go right the turn left at the next three junctions to approach Innerpeffray along the B8062 from the west).

4. Innerpeffray

Follow the B-road until you see a sign for Innerpeffray Chapel and Historic Library and turn left down that lane. Follow it to the end, where the adjoining buildings have a splendid site in a snowdrop-carpeted wood above the River Earn. Return to the B8062 and turn right along it, going downhill towards Kinkell Bridge. Just before the bridge, turn left. Now you pay the price of all the downhill freewheeling with a long slope back up onto the Gask Ridge. The only really steep bit is past Denfield farm.

5. Findo Gask

Where the gradient eases turn left back to Trinity Gask or, if you have energy left, continue ahead for a short circuit on top of the ridge. A double bend is where you join the Roman road. To the left it is a track, which leads in a quarter of a mile to Muir o’Fauld Roman Watchtower. To the right it runs as the tarmac road along the crest of the ridge. Continue to a crossroads and turn left. Findo Gask church is on the left along here.

6. Clathy

Return the same way on a thin-wheeled bike or, if on a more robust steed, continue ahead and turn first left. Follow the road all the way through the hamlet of Clathy and just before the turning area at the end of the road go left on a woodland path. When this joins a track keep straight ahead to emerge on to the road at the double bend. Turn right (effectively straight ahead) to go back down the ridge to Trinity Gask, turning right at the sign back to the start point.

Fact file

Distance

14 to 24 miles (22.4 to 38.4km) depending on the number of sites visited.

Time

2 to 4 hours.

Terrain

Quiet country lanes and off-road tracks with fine views in all directions.

Map

The Harvey Cycling Map of Strathearn shows this route and the attractions along the way. Alternatively, use OS Landranger 58.

Start/parking

Start from the parking area opposite Trinity Gask church (avoiding services, which are 10am on Sundays), GR: NN 962182.

Further information

The Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust booklets A Cycle of Saints and The Romans in Perthshire describe the medieval chapels and Roman sites. They are available in the A K Bell Library shop.

Suitable for

Occasional or regular cyclists, including families with older children.