Bealach na Searmoin and River Garry, Pitlochry
PITLOCHRY AND BLAIR ATHOLL
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1. From the centre of Pitlochry walk east (towards the train station and Inverness) along the main street until you reach Larchwood Road on the right hand side. There is a information board on the corner, outside tiny Sunnybrae Cottage, which was an inn and the scene of a fatal skirmish in 1767. Walk up steep Larchwood Road passing some fine houses and follow the road round to the left and around a sharp corner to continue up Golf Course road. This walk is marked with “green man” markers on posts.
2. Follow the minor road past the ducks on the Cuilc and continue on the road passing the entrance to the golf club. At a T junction turn right into the outskirts of Moulin. When the road bends round to the right, turn left up a steep hill past a row of terraced cottages. Soon you reach the main Ben Vrackie car park on the right. Go through the car park and take the signed path uphill through beech trees. Cross a track and continue uphill, skirting the woodland and turn left onto a small track. Cross another forestry track and follow the path across a bridge and through woodland until you pass through a gate onto the open moorland.
3. Continue on the well made path until you reach a fork. Take the left hand path signed for Bealach Walk. The route now climbs up over the Bealach na Searmoin (pass of the sermon) with good views of Ben Vrackie at the start and then towards Blair Atholl as the path starts to descend. Keep on the main path ignoring paths to the right, follow the sign for Killiecrankie when the junction with the Ben Vrackie return path is reached. Continue downhill through a boggy section of path and over a small bridge to eventually reach a gate in a fence. Continue on the grassy track and go through a gate in a stone wall before turning to the left and heading towards a water treatment works and a minor road.
4. Turn right onto the road and follow it as it curves downhill and passes under the A9 before emerging on the B8079. Cross the road and head slightly to the left to reach the Killecrankie visitor centre. If not visiting the centre or toilets turn sharp right before you reach the building and follow the steps and fenced path though woodland down to the River Garry. Follow the signs for Soldier's Leap to view the spot where one Government soldier successfully leapt the 5.5 metre river to escape the pursuing Highlanders during the battle of Killecrankie. Return from this short detour to take the riverside path alongside the railway viaduct.
5. Continue following the river downstream, taking the time to view the steep sides from the Garry Bridge before continuing on the same side of the river. The path winds through pretty woodland. Follow the green signs for Pitlochry and Riverside Path passing where the Clunie Power Station on the other side of the river which is now the River Tummel. The path passes the grand Faskally House and emerges on a minor road opposite a fishing research centre. Turn right onto the road and follow it around a wide basin and gently uphill. Turn right where there is a sign board and pass a metal farm gate to follow green markers behind Loch Dunmore and through Faskally Wood before returning to the riverside.
6. Pass a stone viewpoint and follow the path past the Clunie footbridge and under the bridge carrying the A9. You soon reach the boating station where fishing permits and hire boats are available. Turn right onto the minor road and follow this up past the hotel to the A924 which you follow to return to the centre of Pitlochry.
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Route profile
Accommodation links for this area:
Blair Atholl and Pitlochry: North Perthshire Hotels and Inns
Perthshire B&B (Bed and Breakfast)
Self catering cottages in Blair Atholl and Pitlochry: North Perthshire
Perthshire bunkhouses and hostels
