Cateran Trail Stage 5 - Alyth to Blairgowrie

Summary

The final stage of the Cateran Trail climbs over the hills north of Alyth before taking a tranquil cross country route to return to the Bridge of Cally. Here the first stage is rejoined for the final walk over the moors to Blairgowrie.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked paths, tracks and minor roads. Can be very muddy in places.

Getting there

Start

Alyth village centre.

Public Transport

Bus to Alyth and Blairgowrie.

Start Grid Ref

NO245488

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Services

Alyth has a grocery shop, two hotels, a cafe and takeaways. The route passes Bamff which has glamping, and Bridge of Cally where there is a hotel. Blairgowrie is a country town with a range of shops and places to stay.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 26.5km / 16.5 miles
Time: 6.5 - 7.5 hours
Ascent: 575m (Profile)

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Explorer 381 - Blairgowrie

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

From the centre of Alyth head up Commercial Street and Toutie Street to rejoin the Cateran Trail by turning left onto High Street. Turn right onto Bamff Wynd and keep right to pass the farm buildings at West Quarter and follow the track uphill. There are good views back over Alyth. The track climbs steeply before bending left. Just after this the Cateran Trail continues uphill. Look out for the marker posts as the path undulates and then heads up slightly left through gorse.

Stage 2

Pass a stand of pines and follow the path on the left side of the fence. Where the grassy path splits (the summit of the Hill of Alyth is over to the right) keep straight ahead following the marker post to head through gorse and then bear right at the next faint path junction to cross the moorland aiming for the wind turbines in the distance. Keep following the marker posts as the route descends through gorse and bears right then right and left (blue arrows) downhill to reach a minor road. Cross this and head diagonally left, following the sign for Bridge of Cally, down a track to a gate (entering the Bamff estate) and follow the wet lane between hedges.

Stage 3

Keep straight ahead at a gateway and pass beech trees and turn left onto a path signed for Bridge of Cally just before a house ahead. Follow the path, passing an area rich with the signs for beaver activity - you can see the dam building and tree felling activities of these creatures and you might even spot one in the water, though they tend to sleep during the day. Pass a private hut on the left and when the path reaches a track, turn right and bear right again after the cattle grid to pass to the left of Bamff House. At the back of the house there is a small honesty kitchen which usually has some snacks/food for sale. Turn right here and head along the track, turning left just before Easter Bamff house to follow a track which eventually emerges onto the road.

Stage 4

Turn right along the road and then left at the next junction to cross rolling farm countryside. After 4.5km, the road turns sharp left at a cottage, keep straight ahead here on a farmm track and almost immediately keep straight on when the track bends right to cross a parking/storage area and through a walker's gate onto a path. This is often very boggy and overgrown with gorse in places but it continues in a straight line between hedges and fences to climb up to a high ridge with good views. Keep heading along the path gong through a number of walker's gates.

Stage 5

The path descends to reach a gate near a house where the path emerges onto a track, follow this downhill until the surfaced road is reached. Turn right here and follow it as it passes the houses of Netherton and down to pass the church and cross the bridge over the Black Water. Climb up to the A93 turn left and follow a pavement. After the sharp bend the route heads down to Bridge of Cally. Cross the bridge and immediately past the hotel turn right up a track. This leads into the forest and soon reaches a junction; at this point you rejoin the outward stage of the Cateran Trail from Blairgowrie. Turn left to begin the walk back.

Stage 6

The track climbs up, with ever improving views looking back, and curves right by some woodland. It then continues a fairly muddy but direct course across almost level moorland, with extensive views. Keep straight on at all junctions, though the route is well marked as ever. Eventually the track curves left and slopes down to meet a larger track; turn right along this. The track then becomes a road at Middleton and drops down to cross a bridge before climbing past West Gormack. Shortly after this turn left onto a path (waymarked).

Stage 7

The path leads between a fence and stone wall until a stile and then follows the left edge of the field before heading half way round the bottom of the same field and turning left following the signs. These lead to the edge of the woods above the Lornty Burn, keeping along the edge of the trees before turning right and eventually meeting a tarmac lane to the left of the large metal barns at East Gormack. Turn left and follow this uphill. Eventually it turns sharp left; continue along it, ignoring a gate on the right which is part of the Knockie circular route from Blairgowrie. After passing a gate the lane meets a public road at a T-junction with a good view over Blairgowrie opposite. Turn left and follow the road downhill past Lornty farm.

Stage 8

At the bottom of the hill turn right onto a track to pass Bracklinn Mill now a private house. Follow the riverside track, with further ruined mill buildings and a large converted one on the far side. The Cateran Trail stays on the higher track, although a lower path loops down to a viewing platform for Cargill's Leap, a narrow point over the river where a Covenanter made a dramatic escape. Keep following the track downstream until a signed flight of wooden steps is taken on the left. From here it is only a short distance to the Riverside Car Park at the end of the route. The centre of Blairgowrie, which has all services, can be reached by following the car park entrance road.

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