The Rob Roy Way
The Rob Roy Way is a 128km walk linking Drymen (on the West Highland Way) with Pitlochry in Perthshire. An alternative, wilder route variant via Amulree increases the total distance to 155km.
The route joins paths and tracks through some fine Highland scenery, taking advantage of some attractive villages and small towns for refreshment and accommodation. The route begins through the forests of the Trossachs before a long stretch of cycleway leads through fine glens to Killin. From here the route climbs high into the hills before descending to follow the quiet and attractive road along the southern shores of Loch Tay. The main route then takes in a fine terrace with magnificent views before descending to Aberfeldy, before the final stretch along the river and over the moors to Pitlochry.
The route was originally devised by John Henderson and Jacquetta Megarry, and became one of Scotland's Great Trails in 2012.
| Stage descriptions | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Drymen to Aberfoyle | 17.5km | 4.5 - 5 hours |
| Aberfoyle to Callander | 15.25km | 4.5 - 5 hours |
| Callander to Strathyre | 15km | 4 - 5 hours |
| Strathyre to Killin | 21.5km | 5 - 6 hours |
| Killin to Ardtalnaig | 19.25km | 4 - 4.5 hours |
| Ardtalnaig to Aberfeldy | 24km | 6 - 7 hours |
| Aberfeldy to Pitlochry | 15km | 4 - 5 hours |
| Amulree Alternative | ||
| Ardtalnaig to Amulree | 24km | 6 - 7 hours |
| Amulree to Aberfeldy | 24.75km | 6 - 7 hours |
THE CHALLENGE
Much of the route follows tracks, minor roads and cycle paths, with shorter sections on footpaths. There is a fair amount of ascent and descent involved, but the walking is mostly straightforward and covering the distance is perhaps the biggest challenge.
ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES ALONG THE WAY
The Rob Roy Way offers a good choice of accommodation along most of the route, with only Ardtalnaig having very limited accommodation on the main route.
Drymen has offers both bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels.
Aberfoyle is a large village with plentiful bed and breakfast and hotels, as does the ever popular town of Callander. Callander also has hostel accommodation.
Strathyre is a smaller village but does also offer both hotels and B&B accommodation.
Killin, although a village, is very popular with visitors, again offering Hotels and B&B accommodation, as does the town of Aberfeldy two stages further on beyond the end of Loch Tay.
It is the section between Killin and Aberfeldy that is less well-served, with a single, high-end hotel at Ardeonaig, a bed and breakfast at Ardtalnaig and another further along the way at Acharn. Amulree currently has no facilities.
Finally Pitlochry has a wide range of hotels and bed and breakfasts, together with hostels and a campsite.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Drymen is linked by bus to Glasgow, whilst Pitlochry at the end of the route has excellent bus and rail links.
Along the way, Aberfoyle, Callander, Strathyre and Killin all have good services, but there is no public transport to Ardtalnaig.
Amulree has an infrequent bus on weekdays only, whilst the town of Aberfeldy has regular links.
Timetables for all the routes can be found on Traveline Scotland.
The following users have walked the Rob Roy Way:
Paul Webster helenw JimGibson Jon Cossar Paderlan coopar fagans buggerlugs mamacgregor 1444 SoothSinger Bonzo cobblergreen The Dude. joe.cassidy silverwalker billymcneilly choupacha kteirvine RuthieT frosty JamMikie trekker53 stewart999 julesG Johnboy22 drlogs shineonsyd gtmoore johntherambler fastedi Kitandlisa Kryptonfactor norriemac1314 La Petite Roer hotscot bootontheotherfoot tyrant2 jamiemeyernewell chirpol5 karen3rdi
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