Kenmore to Aberfeldy by the River Tay

Summary

This beautiful linear walk links Kenmore at the foot of Loch Tay, with the town of Aberfeldy, following the banks of the River Tay for most of the way. The route is waymarked as the first part of the River Tay Way.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Minor road, tracks, waymarked riverside path but rough in places.

Getting there

Start

Layby and car park at south end of Kenmore.

Public Transport

Kenmore is served by bus from Aberfeldy usually by a couple of buses per day; Aberfeldy has good bus links beyond.

Start Grid Ref

NN774453

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.6km / 8.5 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 93m (Profile)

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Explorer 379 - Dunkeld

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from the layby and small car park at the southern end of Kenmore on the A827. Note however that as this is a linear walk with few return buses, it may be best to catch the bus from Aberfeldy at the start of the day. To begin the walk, head towards the village but turn left along the lane signed as a cycle path for Weem and Pitlochry. The lane runs around the shore of Loch Tay, giving lovely views.

Stage 2

Continue until it forks just before rejoining the A827 - take the left fork, cross the main road, then turn left along the far side to cross the bridge over the River Tay. On the far side, turn right along the footpath signed for Riverside Path. This keeps between the river and a caravan site, soon leading through magnficent mature deciduous woodland. Soon Maxwell's Temple is reached - a replica Queen Eleanor's Cross built in 1831 as part of the landscaped grounds of Taymouth Castle.

Stage 3

Continue along the broad, somewhat rutted lane through the trees - a real delight especially in the autumn. Ignore paths off to the right that lead down towards the river, remaining on the North Terrace as this route is called. A short distance further on, ignore a signposted path off left (a link to the Drummond Hill paths). The route keeps high above the Tay, until reaching the Star Battery, a folly built to look like a gun emplacement. Beyond this the track swings away from the river, and another route joins in from the left.

Stage 4

Continue until the track almost meets a minor road, but turn right immediately before this onto a path that runs parallel to the road. When a chalet park is reached the path joins the road; follow it for over a kilometre until a road junction at Comrie Bridge. Here cross the bridge over the River Lyon, then turn immediately right on the far side onto a signed riverside path.

Stage 5

The path runs through trees right by the water for a time before climbing up and passing through a pedestrian gate, then following the edge of the fields nearest the river. After another gate it rejoins the riverside, passing the confluence of the Lyon with the stately River Tay. The path becomes grassy and passes a wooden fishing hut. After a gate, it becomes a grassy track.

Stage 6

There are several more gates as the track continues by the river, passing a more elaborate fishing hut built of stone. When the track swings left through the conifers, keep straight on along the grassy riverbank. There are several pedestrian gates, and further on the path crosses a footbridge over a small tributary. Further on it curves left to reach a path junction (left leads to Dull); turn right here to continue the walk by the Tay.

Stage 7

There's another tribtuary footbridge to cross, and several more gates; at one point the path winds along the left edge of a wild meadow. Eventually the General Wade bridge over the Tay is reached, carrying the B846 road over the river. Turn right along the road to cross the bridge, then keep ahead into Aberfeldy. Continue until the cross-roads is reached - now turn left to reach the square at the heart of this attractive town.

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