Cateran Trail Stage 4 - Kirkton of Glenisla to Alyth

Summary

This stage of the Cateran Trail initially climbs up onto the moorland south of Kirkton of Glenisla for some superb views. It then follows mostly tracks and paths before eventually passing between the Alyth hills to reach the attractive town of Alyth.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Waymarked paths and tracks, can be very muddy in places.

Getting there

Start

Kirkton of Glenisla.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start Grid Ref

NO214604

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Services

Glenisla has a hotel. Alyth has supermarket, two hotels, cafes and takeaway.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 17.15km / 10.75 miles
Time: 4.5 - 5.5 hours
Ascent: 388m (Profile)

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Explorer 381 - Blairgowrie

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

From the community hall follow the off road path next to the B951. Turn left to reach a suspension footbridge over the River Isla. A boggy path heads directly away from the river and then turns right and heads uphill onto the heather moorland. As height is gained there are excellent views back over the middle reaches of Glen Isla. The waymarked route keeps to the left of a prominent cairn and eventually meets a drystone wall at a stile. After this the Cateran Trail continues ahead on a narrow path through the heather until a grassy track where it turns left to reach Whitehill Wood - it is also possible to just turn left after the stile to reach the wood on easier ground.

Stage 2

Go through the remains of a stone wall to pick up a grassy track through the mature trees. This curves right and leaves the trees, turn left after a gateway to descend next to a wall. Climb the stile and turn right along the track. At Whitehills Farm head down to a junction and turn right to continue to Cammock Farm. The track continues down the side of Glen Isla and then climbs slightly as forests are approached and continues along the glen passing a number of properties.

Stage 3

Eventually Loanhead Farm is reached; keep left here. Keep on the main track, passing the entrance to Kilry Lodge and continuing down to reach a minor road. Turn right along this road, and then left at a junction by the Old Schoolhouse cottage.

Stage 4

Keep left on the surfaced road to pass the houses at Wester Derry and then Knowehead Farm before a Cateran Trail signpost indicates where to turn off and cross 2 stiles on the right. Head steeply uphill along the edge of the (often muddy) field, crossing a bridge and another stile to continue up the next field. Climb the stile and turn left to go through the gate and follow an old grassy path with views across the glen to the Knock of Formal. At a junction keep right eventually reaching a gate and then a small bridge under trees.

Stage 5

Follow the almost pathless route as it keeps to the right edge of the field turning uphill to stay near the fence before bearing left to descend to 2 walker's gates with a track between them. Head straight down the next field to a gate, bridge and stile and then climb, keeping to the right of the remains of an old stone wall. Continue on the grassy path through 4 more walker's gates eventually heading directly for the buildings at Ardormie. Before reaching the houses turn sharp left down the road.

Stage 6

Follow the road downhill, ignoring the turn to Shealwalls, then forking right and immediately right again onto the B954. As the main road bends left at the next junction, go straight ahead through a gate (Cateran Trail sign for Alyth) onto a grassy path. Keep the fence on your left and continue in the same direction going through a walker's gate into trees on sometimes wet ground. The route gradually climbs (with good views looking back) between the Hill of Alyth and the Hill of Loyal.

Stage 7

A track is then joined for the descent, with Alyth and Strathmore laid out ahead and the Sidlaws beyond. Continue downhill on the track to emerge onto Loyal Road. Turn right when it meets Hill Street; the Cateran Trail then continues up High St to the right, but for Alyth town centre bear left on Toutie Street to reach the shop, cafe, chippy and hotels, set attractively by the Alyth burn.

Next stage: Alyth to Blairgowrie

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