This fine linear walk follows the banks of the mighty River Tay from Perth city centre out to Luncarty to the north. The return to Perth can be made by bus.
Bog Factor
Flat, surfaced cycle track and riverside path, can be muddy in places.
Perth city centre.
NO120236
Start the walk in the centre of Perth by walking north along the town-side of the River Tay. Pass under the final bridge; note the high water marks from various floods which have been carved into the far side of the bridge. Continue along the tarmac cycle route with the park on the left and the river on the right. Follow the mixed cycle and pedestrian track through the parkland, where a couple of viewing platforms project out into the wide river, and across the golf course. Perth has a rich golfing history and this course is usually popular in most weathers.
At the far end of the golf course follow the cycle track signed for Luncarty when it turns right to head back to the river and then continues upstream, passing through gateposts in a flood barrier. The route now runs along the left side of the flood wall. After the wall ends, take the right hand branch at the next fork, still on cycle track 77 to Luncarty.
Fishermen can often be seen across the river, where the parkland belongs to Scone Palace. The Tay is one of the most famous salmon fisheries in Scotland. At one point the cycle path diverges a little from the riverside, keeping along the edge of some woodland, before returning to the Tay once more. Follow the cycle track as it bends inland. Fork right to pass under the railway bridge, and then a second bridge carrying the A9.
Before a third bridge take the left hand fork uphill (still signed Luncarty), turning right onto a minor road to cross the bridge. Continue along the road, then turn right by a stone lodge house; there is an information board. A track now heads back down the other side of the River Almond, the reason for the diversion away from the Tay. Follow it back under the A9 and then under the railway; ignore the Luncarty cycle path which swings left, staying on the footpath ahead into the woods. Here several paths have been created by bikers and the route can be muddy; keep to the left in the trees to follow the main path which cuts a corner before reaching the Tay once more. Here follow the main path which climbs and continues along the top of the river bank.
Keep on the path with fields on your left and the wooded river bank below to your right. At one point the path comes right beside the river and crosses a footbridge over a tributary. Further on the path widens and becomes flanked by mature trees on both sides. Continue upstream as the path passes some fishermens' huts. Eventually the path turns left to pass between two houses; turn immediately right to pass inland of the second house, skirting around the edge of a field on a path to return to the riverbank.
The path now leaves the trees behind and is flanked by fields. Keep following the path which can be a little overgrown in parts and cross a wooden bridge and pass a grand stone built house. Immediately after this house turn left to pass an attractive green fishing hut. After the hut turn right along a short section of path, soon emerging at a modern housing estate. Follow the crescent of houses as it curves left, then take a road that turns off to the right. This is Taypark Road (unsigned at this point); follow it all the way through the rabbit warren of the housing estate until you eventually turn left at a t junction to reach a small roundabout. Bear right here uphill to pass a shop and soon the main road in Luncarty is reached. Here there is a bus stop where the local bus can be caught back to Perth.
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