The Deil's Cauldron & Melville Monument, Comrie

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Summary

The River Lednock cascades out from a rocky gorge in the atmospheric tree-clad amphitheatre known as the Deil's Cauldron. This excellent circular walk from the attractive village of Comrie visits the Cauldron as well as having an optional ascent to the Melville Monument, an obelisk on Dun More hill that is a fine viewpoint.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Most of the route is on waymarked woodland paths. The very steep climb to the Melville Monument can be omitted.

Public Transport

Comrie is served by both local and long-distance buses.

Start

Comrie. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.5km / 4.75 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 260m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN772220

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Walk Description

User reports (6)

WARNING

The Shaky Bridge (Stage 7) is closed for repairs, so the circuit cannot currently be completed. It is expected to reopen early 2025.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

There is a car park at the west end of Comrie between the two right-angled bends on the main road. The walk is signposted from here as the Glen Lednock circular. Begin the route by leaving the car park and turning right along the road. When the main road turns sharp left, keep straight on, following the start of the minor road up into Glen Lednock. After another hundred metres where this road bends left, leave it and turn right onto a signed path between two old stone gateposts. The wide path now leads just inside the edge of some beautiful beech woodland.

Stage 2

The path soon heads into the woods and comes close to the River Lednock. Further along a smaller path descends some gradual steps off to the right. This is the start of a short loop to see the Little Cauldron. Follow this path to visit the Cauldron, where the river cascades into a deep pool in a low rocky gorge; it is well fenced. The path then soon rejoins the main route. Gain a fair amount of height and the route comes very close to the road once more; don't head onto the road but keep on the path to the right. The river is far below on this section.

Stage 3

The valley sides are becoming steeper and soon the path becomes a wooden walkway fenced against the steep drop. A flight of steps leads down to the viewpoint for the Deil's (or Devil's) Cauldron itself, where the river Lednock emerges from a rock-walled gorge in a double cascade into a wide pool. The verdant foilage adds to the gloomy atmosphere.

Stage 4

After admiring the Cauldron follow the wooden staircase that leads up to the road. There is a pathway alongside; turn right along this. After a short distance a signed path goes off to the left. This is the start of the ascent to the Melville Monument; this part of the walk involves a steep climb and can be omitted by simply continuing along the road, rejoining the route further on. To make the climb, turn up the path and head steeply through the felled area. The path then bends left and becomes gentler before joining with a larger track and zig-zagging up the final slope to the Melville monument, a tall obelisk prominent when seen from Comrie.

Stage 5

There is a view indicator to help identify the features in the grand panorama. To the south across Strath Earn are the Ochils whilst there is a glimpse of Loch Earn to the left, with Ben Vorlich and Stùc a'Chròin visible high above. Return down the zigzags to the track and follow this to the left.

Stage 6

The track leaves the woods at a large gate where it joins an old hill track known as the Maam Road. The junction is well signed - turn right, which is the direction for 'Monument Road'. The track passes a wooden seat and has fine views ahead looking up Glen Lednock. The descent can be made via a series of wide zig-zags or by using a good path that shortcuts some of these. Continue down to reach the tarmac road.

Stage 7

Turn right along the road until a signpost indicating a grassy track for 'Laggan Wood' to the left. If you omitted the climb to the monument, this is where you will rejoin the main route. Follow the grassy trod down to a bench; fork right here to cross a wooden footbridge known as the Shaky Bridge. On the far side, take the path to the right running downstream.

Stage 8

The path now runs alongside the river, passing through lovely deciduous woodland. Further on the path veers left away from the river, passing a bench with a perfect outlook up the glen. Go through a wooden gate and into a denser area of plantations.

Stage 9

In places there are great views of the Melville Monument. At a waymarked junction take a path off to the right. Continue through the oakwoods; further on at another fork keep right (the path ahead ends at a wooden bench with a view across Strathearn). The path now slopes back down towards the stream once more. At one point a waymarker indicates a left turn to a picnic bench, but the marked path then swings back to rejoin the original route, so you could just keep straight ahead, joining an all-abilities path. This passes a picnic bench at a weir and eventually reaches an iron bridge. Turn right to cross this, now on the route of an old railway line; keep ahead on the path through fields behind the houses to return to the start.

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