This circular walk explores the surroundings of Auchterarder, known as the Lang Toon due to the length of its high street. This walk begins in the centre of town and follows paths taking in the woods and fields around.
Good paths and minor roads
Bus service to Auchterarder.
Crown Inn Wynd car park, Auchterarder..
The walk starts from the Crown Inn Wynd car park off the middle of the High Street, just west of the Aytoun Hall and clock tower. Leaving the car park and heading back to the main road, turn left along High Street passing a number of independent shops. After a short while turn right up Castleton Road - the road rises initially and then heads downhill and into the countryside.
When the small hamlet of Castleton is reached turn left along a lane signed for Footpath to Oak Walk. There are often horses and sheep grazing in the surrounding fields as you pass Lower Borland Farm and continue on the straight track. Ignore a path off to the left and follow the track to a house at the end.
Here a path passes to the left of the house and garden, soon crossing a small bridge. Soon a stile is reached which brings you into Oak Wood, which is narrow but has some beautiful and varied trees. Bear left and follow the winding path up through the trees, crossing a couple of small bridges along the way. There is a short muddy stretch.
When the path emerges onto a road turn left and follow Tullibardine Road until it reaches Orchil Road where the Jubilee Cairn sits at the entrance to the Cairn Hotel. Turn left again and in a short distance Western Road is reached with the park opposite.
Cross the road and head left for a short distance until the edge of the park is reached. Turn right along Quarry Road to head up towards the recycling centre, passing through or round the gates. When the tarmac road bends right, take a surfaced path on the left that continues ahead. This zig-zags through the trees and eventually reaches a junction with another tarmac path - turn left along this.
Soon the path bends right, and then back left. The route now continues between Auchterarder and the A9 road for 1.5km. Ignore the houses on the left initially, and later a turning on the left (signed Rossie Place), always continuing ahead. Eventually the path emerges at the end of a minor road (leading left). Go straight across this, taking the narrow path to the left side of the Ruthven Water. Note the fish ladder in the weir on your right. Keep the water on your right as you follow the clear path (ignore a left turning for High St), eventually reaching a minor road. Continue straight ahead, passing some attractive cottages.
Ignore another turning on the left ('Black Road'), keeping ahead until a road is reached. Go straight across a road to follow the lane towards Glenruthven Mill, now restored and housing a number of businesses. Continue along the path past the mill, up a flight of steps to farmland with open views back to the Ochils. The path continues between grazing fields to meet the main road into Auchterarder. Turn left here and follow the road all the way back to the middle of the High Street and the start of the walk.
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