This varied walk takes in pretty Kenmore and the banks of Loch Tay. It then follows a good path along the River Tay, a popular salmon fishing river, passing a couple of interesting estate monuments and follies. The return is through Drummond Hill woods.
Minor road, riverside path, broad rutted track and woodland paths.
Bus to Kenmore.
Kenmore.
The walk begins from the layby and small car park at the southern end of Kenmore on the A827. 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.
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.
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, take a footpath heading off left - signed for Drummond Woods. This reaches a minor road opposite a stone folly - Rock Lodge - built as a home for Lord Breadalbane's Chinese concubine!
Take the path that climbs up into the woods to the right of Rock Lodge. After 400m uphill through the trees, turn left onto a red waymarked path (before reaching a forest track). This leads through very densely planted forestry. The trees soon begin to thin and the path slopes gently uphill, and native trees replace the exotics as some fine woodland is passed through.
The path passes above a car park and joins another track - turn left here to head down to the forestry car park, then down to the road. Turn right along the road, then left at the main A827 to head back to the bridge over the Tay and return to Kenmore. Continue through the centre of Kenmore and pass the main gateway to Taymouth Castle estate. The estate cottages lining the road are very attractive with white picket fences and rose clad walls. Turn right before the Castle gateway to return to the parking areas at the start of the walk.
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