An enjoyable ramble exploring the woods, fields and lochans above Comrie Croft, with good views out across Strathearn. Although some paths are rough, it is suitable for families with opportunities to spot wildlife and search out flowers and fungi.
Summary
Waymarked, but the paths are wet in places and indistinct where the route crosses fields.
Terrain
Users'
rating
Comrie - Crieff buses stop at the lane end for Comrie Croft hostel.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. The nature trail starts at Comrie Croft Hostel on Braincroft Farm signed from the A85 between Crieff and Comrie. Walkers are welcome to park at the hostel and can pick up a leaflet about the trail from reception during opening hours. Parts of the trail are also used for mountain bikes so care should be taken. This trail is marked with purple paint marks on stones. Walk up between the reception building and the main hostel and then bear left onto a marked path through the woods. Once in the woods, you have just crossed the Highland Boundary geological fault which separates highland and lowland Scotland and has been the source of many mini earthquakes in the area. This fault was very active 400 million years ago when Strathearn was a hot dry desert. In the 19th century the first equipment for monitoring seismic activity was installed at the Earthquake House in nearby Comrie.
2. Continue on the path, keeping left at a fork. At a track turn right and head uphill for a short while before taking a narrow signed path to the left, passing a couple of camping sites amongst the trees. A dead tree trunk shows the handiwork of great spotted woodpeckers with large circular holes. Follow the path, cross a wooden bridge, and climb through the woods on a narrow and at times indistinct path, keeping right at a junction. Cross a stream on stepping stones, and pass just below the old mill pond. This was used when Braincroft Farm had its own watermill for grinding corn and the pond was used to store water until it was released on the days when it was needed to power the water wheel. When the track is reached turn left and climb past the pond and alongside grazing fields.
3. Go through the double metal farm gates and then head diagonally left across the field towards a large sycamore tree. Keep following the path as it curves around below and then climbs behind a rocky crag eventually emerging near the top from where there are good views. This crag also makes a good picnic spot.
4. Continue near the fence and then diagonally right across the next field towards a gate in front of fir trees. Go through the gate, which may be locked and need to be climbed. Cross the Clathick Burn on stones in the ford and then immediately take a faint footpath to the left uphill. Soon you reach a picnic bench with a fine view over Braincroft Loch and Upper Strathearn. Ospreys, red kites and buzzards can often be seen in this area. Keep following the track until you reach a junction where you turn right heading downhill.
5. Pass a small group of Douglas Fir trees and soon after turn right and pass through a gate into a field keeping just left of the fence surrounding the Loch which is a conservation area. Cross the field and then turn left downhill just before the Clathick Burn. Keep an eye out for the purple marker stones and follow a fence down to a stone wall where you turn right and then climb a stile over the wall into The Den wood. Immediately turn right and follow the path as it crosses the burn on stepping stones and then emerges onto the farm track. Turn left and keep left at the junction to return to the start.
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