This walk explores the beautiful woods and open countryside around Brig o' Turk. It combines several shorter waymarked loops and has good views of Loch Venachar.
Summary
Waymarked paths; can be very muddy in places.
Terrain
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1. Begin from the Little Drum Wood car park on the south side of the A821 almost opposite Lendrick Lodge. There is a large interpretative board giving details of the various waymarked loops. Begin the walk by heading up the path next to the board; it soon reaches a gate giving access to the road - don't turn through this but instead follow the waymarked path to the left. This heads through some lovely woodland, climbing past a seat to reach a path junction. Ignore the pink waymarked path off to the right for now and instead take the next path off to the left. This winds through the woods and soon leads to a viewpoint overlooking the regenerating forests on the slopes to the north.
2. The path bends sharply to the right and continues to wind through the woods. When it meets a wider path at a t-junction, turn left at first to make a short detour to the shores of Loch Venachar. Pass through an iron gate to reach the grassy foreshore of this very attractive loch before returning and keeping straight on at the junction. The path leads back to the start of the pink trail - turn left this time to head along this.
3. The path now climbs a little and follows a rocky crest above the woods. It soon turns right to cross more open ground with good views towards Ben Venue. Keep following the Woodland Trust markers on this section as the path can be indistinct in places and is often very muddy. Eventually turn right (sign on boulder) to head down to a section of boardwalk and the main road. Head straight across this to another gate on the far side.
4. Take the left hand of two wooden boardwalks; this leads across a marshy area. This was once the site of the village's curling rink - the climate has certainly warmed - but today has become an important habitat for wildlife - and a site of special scientific interest. At the end of the boardwalk the path climbs into a lovely birch wood. This was once the site of the village's curling rink - the climate has certainly warmed - but today has become an important habitat for wildlife - and a site of special scientific interest. At the end of the boardwalk the path climbs into a lovely birchwood.
5. Continue through the trees, turning right at a junction. Another open area is crossed with good views across lower Glenfinglas before the path descends to a minor road. Head straight across onto a grassy path between two fences. This continues alongside the River Finglass until reaching a gate just short of the main road. The original Brig o'Turk is to the right here. It forms the backdrop for a famous portrait of the eminent Victorian John Ruskin by Millais - just two of the famous visitors the area received during the nineteenth century.
6. Before reaching the road and its bridge turn left as signed for 'The Village'. The path soon joins the road; cross it and follow the pavement on the far side (do not follow the signs past the pub). The tiny village of Brig o' Turk is soon reached, complete with a very rustic wooden tearoom. Continue along the pavement to the far end of the village; when the pavement ends take the footpath that runs parallel to the road. Pass through the gate and onto the open pastures. The path soon rejoins the outward route where you turned down to reach the road earlier. Continue straight ahead and retrace your steps to the path junction in the woods near the start of the walk. Turn left here to return to the car park.
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