Fiddler's Path, Dunkeld

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This superb circuit follows the banks of the mighty River Tay upstream from Dunkeld, before returning down the opposite site. It takes in the magnificent ruined Cathedral as well as some remarkable trees - including the Mother Larch and Neil Gow's Oak.

Terrain

Waymarked paths and tracks.

Public Transport

Buses and trains to Dunkeld.

Start

Atholl St car park, Dunkeld. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Begin the walk from the car park at the north end of Dunkeld off Atholl Street (parking charge). The path - which is waymarked - begins from the far end of the car park and is signed for the Cathedral as well as the Fiddler's Path. Follow it as it curves left around the foot of Stanley Hill, then keep slightly right at a fork to head towards the Cathedral - whose tower is visible. Turn right along the iron railings enclosing the cathedral grounds to reach the far end. Near to the tower (and with an intepretation board) is the Mother Larch. This was one of five European Larches imported by the Duke of Atholl from Austria in 1738 and planted here (he lived at Dunkeld House at the time). The other four have long gone but the seeds from these trees were used to afforest much of Perthshire - 14 million of them were planted by the 3rd and 4th Dukes.

Stage 2

At the path junction keep left - signed for Fiddler's Path. The path soon leads to the banks of the mighty River Tay, the longest in Scotland; bear right upriver. Almost immediatelty the path forks; the right hand route is signed, whereas the left one keeps closer to the riverbank and is used by fishermen. The two routes rejoin further on. There are views looking back downriver to Dunkeld's Tay Bridge.

Stage 3

The lower of the two paths passes an elaborate stone grotto. Beyond this the paths soon rejoin to continue along the riverbank. Ignore a path off to the right, and continue by the Tay, passing a discreet sewage works. Further on the Dunkeld House hotel is seen just over to the right of the path. Beyond the hotel the parks forks once more, with the signed route continuing on the main cycle path ahead, whilst a fishermen's path forks left down beside the river. This time it's more convenient to stay on the main path - if opting to take the fishermen's option, you need to turn right at the 'Rock Pool' up a winding track to rejoin the cycle path.

Stage 4

The cycle path continues now higher above the river. After 2km or so it passes beneath the Jubilee Bridge which carries the busy A9 high over the Tay. Continue along the path for another 200m to reach a signed junction, then turn right (signed Fiddler's Path) to head up to the side of the A9. Now turn right along the walkway beside the thundering traffic to cross the bridge over the Tay. There are wonderful views upriver towards Ben Vrackie. On the far side turn right alongside the branch road, and then right again onto a signed footpath into the trees.

Stage 5

The path passes under the railway and then under the A9 once more. Go left at a fork to begin the walk down the west side of the Tay. Wader-clad fisherman can often be spotted from the banks. Keep following the river bank and then follow the path as it detours inland slightly and passes a ruin. Stayp on the main path as it returns to the river bank before leaving the woods to follow the edge of a field. Soon the path reaches Neil Gow's Oak, named after the famous fiddler. Gow lived at Inver and composed many tunes under this oak and in the nearby countryside.

Stage 6

Keep following the path which crosses a stream and returns to the river bank. There are first views downstream towards Tay Bridge. Turn right at a marker post shortly before the way is blocked by the River Braan. The route now passes under the A9; turn left over a footbridge over the River Braan just beyond.

Stage 7

Turn left on the far side on a path that follows the Braan back downstream. Soon the River Tay is rejoined. There are good views of Dunkeld cathedral on the far bank. The path leads to Tay Bridge; pass beneath this and then turn right up the steps by the old toll house. At the top turn right to head across the bridge.

Stage 8

Now simply follow the main road through the heart of historic Dunkeld. The harled and whitewashed buildings make up what is what is regarded as perhaps the most complete 18th-century country town in Scotland. There are many independent shops and some excellent cafes. Continue up the road until the entrance to the Atholl car park towards the north end - turn left into this to return to the start.

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