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What do you do in Crieff on a grey January day with three small grandchildren when you've got a winter virus that's left you with not much energy? A wee dander up the Knock to see the view maybe?
Coming to Crieff Hydro over the past 40 years we've been up the Knock more times than we could possibly remember. From large groups of teenage Dundonians on weekends away (in the crazy good old days when the manager didn't want to know how many we were piling into each chalet!), our own kids when they were young.... and now the grandchildren as well. It's fair to say they all loved it - and still do.
The weather wasn't great but the dogs needed a walk and the kids were up for it so we headed off by the less obvious route up the Knock since the more direct and in places steeper route might have been tricky for the buggy in the snow. The group consisted of 3 children (aged 6, 3 and 18 months) 2 parents, 1 granny and 2 geriatric dogs. We took the path that leads up from the hotel through the trees and past the lodges overlooking the field with equine occupants contentedly munching hay in their winter coats.
We turned left on to the road where there is parking near the start of the direct and sign-posted route up and continued in the direction of Culcrieff, turning right towards a group of self catering cottages.
Just beyond the cottages we followed the track to the right which climbs gradually round the base of the hill.
The snow was hard packed and icy so out came the walking poles to give some security on the slippy surface. But although they liked having them the kids didn't need them and over the whole walk we had no accidental sit downs, even on the way down.
Handy seat for half way snack
Youngest member snug as a bug
Just beyond the seat we came to a stile over the fence and a path to the left which leads to the true summit of the Knock (279m). After years of never bothering to go there we finally went up a few years ago. The path leads up easily enough to the highest point and down the other side but the close planting of trees means there is no view at all. If and when the trees are felled it might be of more interest to pay it a visit.
Since we weren't doing that we continued on the gently undulating path taking a path to the right when we came to it and after a short steeper section arrived at the summit which boasts a viewpoint indicator showing what can be seen round 360 degrees on a clear day.
Three year old conquers the Knock
Checking to see if there was snow ball potential - there wasn't
Best view if you stand up here
This would be a good spot to get a family photo but the youngest member had dropped off to sleep. Oh well - out of her cosy nest she'd soon waken up.... wouldn't she?
Well actually..... no.
Asleep at the top of the hill
Granddaughter and granny and in the background Glen Turrett and Ben Chonzie
Not being sure what the surface would be like for the buggy we decided to retrace our steps for the return, although completing a round of the hill would have been a more satisfying route to take. But not to worry - I imagine we'll be back in the future for yet more variations of the walk up the Knock.
Last week's weather wasn't the best for photos so here are a few (taken on a previous visit) of the other walk we did from Crieff Hydro to Culcrieff village by road and then back by the woods.
On the road to Culcrieff
Culcrieff village
Self catering accommodation for Crieff Hydro
View from cottage window
View west from Culcrieff
Another view from Culcrieff
Ben Chonzie and Glen Turrett
The woodland path from Culcrieff to the hydro
A younger more sprightly version of the dogs