Tay Bridge and Balmerino, from Wormit

This circular walk along the Tay Estuary has excellent views of the Tay rail bridge and Dundee. It visits Balmerino, with its ruined abbey, before returning at a higher level.

Terrain

Clear paths and tracks; some sections can be very muddy. Care needed on one section above drop to the shore.

Public Transport

Bus to Wormit

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Start

Bay Road, Wormit. Map and directions.

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Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km/5.5 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 124m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NO391259

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 371 - St Andrews
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

There is a parking area by the shore of the Tay at the end of Bay Road in Wormit. The previous Tay Rail Bridge, the longest in the world when it was completed in 1878 was the scene of Britain's worst rail disaster just over a year later when it collapsed, plunging a train and 75 passengers into the Tay - all died. Construction on the new bridge began from both ends and met in the middle and its appearance is such as to suggest that the engineers on each side of the Tay had different plans! Begin the walk by heading west along the shore track; it is signed for Balmerino.

Stage 2

The built path ends at a wooden seal sculpture; continue from here on the obvious path which climbs up through the blackthorn bushes, passing through an iron kissing gate part way up. When the path emerges at green pastures the route generally follows the fence line above the drop to the Tay; there is a path. Dundee can look beautiful across the water, backed by Dundee Law. Pass another seal sculpture and through a gate to continue above the drop to the shore. After another kissing gate the path descends to the left to cross a burn before climbing wooden steps back up on the far side.

Stage 3

Pass through another kissing gate above a second burn and then continue across the field edge, soon reaching woodland. Pass through a gate here and follow the path which now leads alongside a fence. Eventually a flight of steps leads down to some attractive white cottages. Pass between these and the shore. Beyond them the shore path continues, passing some more cottages and eventually becoming a track which heads inland past the Old Mill into Balmerino.

Stage 4

The track becomes a road; at a junction the walk continues to the left but before going this way you may wish to continue ahead to explore the ruins of Balmerino Abbey before returning to this point. Continuing the walk on the tiny road heading east, pass some cottages and then cross an old stone bridge, ignoring the footpath off to the right. When the road bends right at Kirkton turn left and continue round until you reach a telephone box just before a small crossroads. Turn left here and then immediately right on a track, passing several bungalows. Just before the last of these take the obvious path that climbs straight ahead between two hedges.

Stage 5

The path passes a bench and runs through woodland, with great views once more over to Dundee. The going can be very muddy in a couple of places. Keep straight ahead through a gap in a belt of trees. The track from here straight ahead to Kilburns Farm has been heavily ploughed recently; if this is still the case head to the left around the edge of the ploughed field to rejoin the original route at the farm. Dog-leg to the right and then left through the farm to follow the farm track eastwards, heading between fields towards a plantation. Several cottages are passed before the big old house at Peacehill is reached; continue straight ahead here, with an old barn on your right. At the far end of the farm a signpost indicates a path turning off to the left. Follow this along the field edge, keeping a fence and the large poultry sheds on your left to eventually reach a mobile phone mast.

Stage 6

Follow the fence briefly to the right here and then turn left through a gap to again follow the fence down the side of the next field. The fence eventually turns to the right again; follow it and then descend into the Wormit Den. Turn left and stay on the path along the bottom of the den, ignoring the stile on the right and path off to the left. Pass a duck pond; beyond this the path soon leads back to the parking area at the start.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.