Pitlochry to Blair Atholl

This attractive and fairly straightforward stage leaves Pitlochry by Loch Faskally and follows the route of the River Garry upstream to the Highland village of Blair Atholl.

Terrain

Good paths and minor roads throughout.

Public Transport

Both Pitlochry and Blair Atholl have train stations as well as bus links.

Start

Pitlochry. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.75km / 8.5 miles
Time: 3 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 154m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN939581

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Accommodation

Pitlochry is a good sized town by Highland standards with a full range of services. Blair Atholl is smaller but still offers a choice of hotels, bed and breakfasts and a large campsite. Killiecrankie between the two also offers hotel accommodation and a cafe in season.

Walk Description

Stage 1

Head west along the main street - Atholl Road - out of the centre of Pitlochry, eventually crossing over the railway line before taking a left fork onto Clunie Bridge road, past entrance to the Green Park hotel. Continue along the road to eventually reach the boating station on Loch Faskally. From here follow a path west along the loch shore, passing beneath the A9.

Stage 2

Ignore the Clunie footbridge over the narrows, instead continuing up the east side of the loch. Pass a stone viewpoint and keep following the green riverside path markers. The route passes round the knoll west of Loch Dunmore before turning left onto a road leading around a wide basin and on to a fishing research centre. Turn left opposite this onto a path, with the grand Faskally House seen over to the right. Continue following the river upstream.

Stage 3

Continue up the east side of the river, passing under the road bridge and then next to the River Garry footbridge (which offers good views into the ravine). The Tummel, General Wade's road and the railway are all packed into a tightly wooded ravine here. Eventually the route passes a railway viaduct. Follow the signs for Soldier's Leap to view the spot where one Government soldier fleeing the battlefield here during the first Jacobite rebelllion is said to successfully leapt the 5.5 metre river to escape the pursuing Highlanders during the battle of Killecrankie. Retrace your steps briefly to take the fenced path and steps climbing up away from the river to the Killiecrankie Visitor centre.

Stage 4

Turn left along the road, passing the hotel in Killiecrankie. At the road junction in the village turn left, taking a minor road which crosses bridges high over the railway and then the river before curving to the right on the far side. When the road forks take the right branch. Care is needed on this section as the narrow road - though otherwise quiet - is used by massive lorries serving a quarry. Eventually the minor road approaches the A9 bridge over the Garry. Fork right here onto a track which passes under the A9 bridge beside the river. The track follows the river upstream.

Stage 5

The track undulates through the woodland beside the river before eventually reaching a footbridge. Cross this to the attractive cottages of Blair Atholl on the far side. Turn left and then right to follow a lane up through the village - past the watermill tea-room and the shop - to reach the main road with a hotel on your left. The next section of the walk through to Kingussie takes 3 days with no facilities.

Next stage: Blair Atholl to Bynack Lodge

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