Blair Atholl to the Red House

Summary

From Blair Atholl the Scottish National Trail begins what is described as a three day backpack across the Cairngorms. This first part heads up lovely Glen Tilt - which many people regard to be one of the finest glens in Scotland. The stage ends outside the Red House (Ruighe Ealasaid) bothy. Walkers tackling this section need to be completely self-sufficient including carrying a tent and all food as there are no facilities except two bothies - the Red House at the end of this stage, and Ruigh Aiteachain in Glen Feshie at the end of the next stage.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Tracks and good paths throughout, though terrain is increasingly remote and far from help. There are three potentially difficult river crossings - usually these require a paddle, but in spate conditions can become impassable, particularly the crossing of the River Geldie.

Getting there

Start

Blair Atholl.

Public Transport

Train or bus to Blair Atholl. There is no road access to the stage end which is exceptionally remote - it is assumed that walkers are planning to wildcamp or stay in the bothy.

Start Grid Ref

NN871653

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Services

Blair Atholl has two small shops (one open late), hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation, as well as a campsite. There are no facilities at Bynack Lodge - it is assumed that walkers will be wildcamping at the end of this stage.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 28.5km / 17.75 miles
Time: 7 - 7.5 hours
Ascent: 433m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (7)

Stage 1

From the Atholl Arms in the centre of Blair Atholl, head east (right as you face away from the hotel) along the main road. Ignore the grand entrance on the left for the Atholl Castle and then a second for the campsite, but take a footpath which slopes down on the left after the latter, running parallel to the road to reach the River Tilt (before the road crosses a bridge). A footpath now leads upstream beside the Tilt. Cross a lade (mill race) and then turn right to continue on a path beside the river, with the caravan park up on your left. Ignore steps off to the left and keep by the riverbank, passing through an old stone folly at one point. The path then heads up to cross a bridge over a minor road.

Stage 2

Soon the main track up Glen Tilt is reached; turn right along this. After 1.5km it is possible to take a hillier route up the glen by forking left and following the Glen Tilt circular route through the rifle range (if there is no firing); otherwise continue along the main track, crossing Cumhann-leum Bridge. The two routes rejoin at Gilbert Bridge; from here keep up the east side of the glen, soon passing the buildings at Auchgobhal.

Stage 3

The glen is narrow and there are only scattered birch trees. Continue past the attractive stone-built cottage of Marble Lodge. Cross Gaw's Bridge and then follow the track up the opposite side of the Tilt. The easy walking continues for many kilometres, passing occasional houses before eventually leading through a gate to reach the larger, whitewashed Forest Lodge.

Stage 4

There are forestry plantations after the lodge before the glen becomes open once more. When a very clear fork is reached, take the right branch track which slopes back down to the riverbank. By this stage the glen is very narrow and bare, with steep flanks.

Stage 5

The track becomes a path before the Falls of Tarf are reached. Here an elaborate suspension bridge crosses the Tarf as it flows out into the main Tilt - with a couple of attractive waterfalls; a remote but beautiful spot. A short distance beyond the path forks again, with the glen forking too; this time keep on the main left branch to follow the Allt Garbh Buidhe, ignoring the right branch for the Allt Feith Lair.

Stage 6

Eventually the narrow glen relents and a more spacious, open landscape is reached. The path becomes indistinct before climbing more clearly across the eastern flank of Cnapan Loch Tilt - crossing the almost imperceptible watershed between the Tilt and the Dee. Ben Macdui comes into view in the distance ahead.

Stage 7

The path becomes a landrover track and eventually descends to the banks of the Alltan t-Seilich, with the ruins of Bynack Lodge visible just to the left. Continue to reach the ford at Allt an t-Seilich, and then, a short distance further on, the Bynack Burn. These crossings usually involve a paddle but could become impossible in spate. Just a few hundred metres on a third crossing is reached - this is the Geldie, and usually the deepest and fastest flowing of the three. The Geldie is quite impossible to cross in high spate. On the far bank, turn left along the track upriver, to reach the Red House (Ruigh Ealasaid) bothy, an open shelter for walkers (with toilet) sited where the Geldie Burn meets the Dee.

Blair Atholl to the Red House

Summary

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Getting there

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Public Transport

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Blair Atholl to the Red House

Summary

Terrain

Getting there

Start

Public Transport

Start Grid Ref

Services

Walk Statistics

Mapping and GPS

Get our App FREEFull GPS mapping &descriptions when offline

ROUTE SPONSORED BY

LOADING

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Stage 6

Stage 7

Next stage: Red House to Glen Feshie

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