Callander to Comrie

Summary

Climb out of Callander to a fine viewpoint right on the boundary between the Highlands and Lowlands before a long section on ancient drove roads through the remote feeling Glen Artney to reach Comrie which has all services.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Paths, minor road, tracks, some boggy almost pathless sections - good navigation skills needed.

Getting there

Start

Callander.

Public Transport

Buses to Callander and Comrie.

Start Grid Ref

NN628079

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Services

Both Callander and Comrie offer a range of bed and breakfast and hotel accommodation as well as shops.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 26.5km / 16.5 miles
Time: 6.5 - 7.5 hours
Ascent: 614m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

Leave Callander by heading up Bracklinn Road from the main street. It swings left by the entrance to the golf course; continue along the tarmac until the signed parking area for Callander Crags on the left. From here follow the marked path uphill passing the information board and the barrier. Follow the track uphill through lovely mixed woodland. Soon a clear junction is reached, turn right here and head uphill. Cross a small bridge and ignore a path which crosses the main route and keep climbing uphill with a couple of wide zig zags. A picnic bench is passed and soon after the path emerges into an area of clear ground with a bench at the top. From here the line of crags can be seen straight ahead. The path climbs steep stone steps to reach the top of the crags, with great views back.

Stage 2

At the top, turn right and follow the path along the escarpment to the right to reach the the Jubilee Cairn viewpoint. From the cairn continue ahead on the narrow path (incorrectly shown on OS maps as on a lower path). This soon descends and winds its way down through trees to reach the minor road heading north following the Keltie Water.

Stage 3

Turn left onto the road and follow it, going straight on at a parking area to go through the gate and late keep right where it forks at a small parking area, head towards the farm at Braeleny. Once past the farm, continue on the track ahead, going though a farm gate onto open countryside. The track takes you into rolling, empty (apart from the sheep) moorland, passing a small stone hut on your right before reaching the confluence of the Keltie Water and the Allt Breac-nic. The old bridge here was washed away but recently it has been replaced with two new bridges, making for a dry crossing once more.

Stage 4

Follow the track NE on the far side (note the short cut path shown on the map doesn't really exist on the ground and crosses very boggy ground - it is easier to remain on the track) eventually branching right onto a path heading NNE when the rough track continues ahead to the reservoir. The path soon reaches the lonely building at Arivurichardich. Pass in front of the old house and follow the clear, grassy track that now heads east along Glen Artney, crossing the lower flanks of Meall Odhar and Tom Odhar. This area feels increasingly remote, although you may encounter deer stalking, grouse shooting and sheep gathering groups. Later on the glen's glacial past is revealed in its clear U-shape as well as the bumpy drumlins created by debris left behind as the glacier retreated.

Stage 5

The track meanders through these, passing a small forestry plantation before reaching the bridge over the Allt an Dubh Choirein. The now stony track goes through a deer fence and skirts the right hand edge of a plantation before descending towards Auchinner. Glimpses of Glenartney Lodge can be seen through the trees on the left. Just before you reach the road and house opposite, bear left over the ford and turn left onto the track heading towards Glenartney Lodge. Almost immediately turn right where the track forks to head towards Auchinner, passing a deer larder and building up on the left.

Stage 6

Go through the trees and through the courtyard at Auchinner to exit to the right at the far end to follow the track in front of a last cottage and continue ahead on a vague path which leads to the bridge over the Allt Srath a'Ghlinne. On the far side follow the grassy track across a field to a gate with deer stalking information and once through, bear right; the route follows the north side of the Water of Ruchill all the way to Comrie.

Stage 7

For a long section the path is very faint, and boggy in places, and keeps high above the river aiming ENE and keeping to the left of a fence. At times it varies between a good track and very boggy path, the reward is good open views and a wide variety of wild flowers in summer. At Dalclathick Lodge the track descends and keeps just above the woodland on the north bank of the Water of Ruchill to go through a gate and pass just to the right of the building. Pheasants are breed in the wooded areas and dog owners are asked to keep them on a lead. Soon after the building, turn left uphill at a junction and then keep straight ahead where another track bears left and cross the bridge over the Allt Coire Choire.

Stage 8

Keep on the main track, which is much clearer now, as it undulates down the glen, passing through pleasant wooded areas. Keep an eye out for the junction where you leave the main track (which heads up to Blairmore about 0.5km away), there is usually a pheasant feeder here near mature trees (but there are also likely to be feeders at other spots too), and you take the right branch of the track to head downhill, passing a ruined cottage on your left, and soon through a gate as the grassy track flattens. After the route narrows to a path to cross a burn it then passes through a very boggy wooded area where the path is indistinct. Once out of the woods a track is regained with good open views along the glen.

Stage 9

Keep right (on the main track) at a fork eventually reaching the farm buildings at Dalrannoch. Pass between the farm and the cottage to pick up the minor road and follow this downhill passing a parking area near a popular bathing pool on the river before a straight stretch of road brings you to Craggish. The road turns sharp right here, soon picking up a pavement on the outskirts of Comrie, passing the Earthquake House which can be visited by a short detour to the left. Positioned on the Highland Boundary Fault, Comrie is subject to earth tremors, and this small building was built in 1840 to house one of the world's first seismometers. Follow the road to cross the Bridge of Ross over the River Earn and turn right to reach the centre of Comrie where there are shops, hotels and B&Bs.

Next stage: Comrie to Loch Freuchie

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