Loch Faskally and the salmon ladder, Pitlochry

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Summary

This excellent walk makes a circuit of main part of Loch Faskally from the centre of Pitlochry. The walk includes an attractive metal suspension bridge over the river, passes the Festival Theatre and the fish ladder on the dam before following the peaceful waters of Loch Faskally. Cafe/toilets at Festival Theatre and Dam Visitor Centre passed on the route.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Clear paths and minor roads.

Public Transport

Pitlochry is well served by buses and trains.

Start

Ferry Road car park, Pitlochry. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 100m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NN936577

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

The walk starts from the public car park (charge) off Ferry Road in Pitlochry. Follow Ferry Road under the railway and then turning right to reach the car park (on the right). Begin the walk by turning right along the road from the car park entrance, then taking the marked path off uphill to the left, crossing over a lane. The path leads through the woods to emerge back on Fery Road. Go almost straight across down a path signed for the Festival Theatre and the Fish Ladder. Follow this path and cross the Port-na-Craig suspension bridge. Port-na-Craig means ferry by the rock, referring to the large rock sticking out in the river.

Stage 2

After the bridge turn right along the road passing some houses and the Portnacraig Inn and heading towards the Festival Theatre. The Theatre maintains its own repertory company and as well as putting on a full season of plays, has a cafe, shop and plant hunters garden to explore. Keep on the minor road, passing the Theatre and heading towards the hydro-electric dam which has created Loch Faskally. The path goes left up steps just before the dam, climbing alongside the salmon ladder. This long series of steps allows the fish to swim upstream through a number of tunnels in order to bypass the dam.

Stage 3

Continue to the top of the dam. Keep left up a few more steps to start the path around Loch Faskally. Soon head right at a fork to follow some steps down to the shore and keep following the clear path. At one point the path drops steeply down steps to cross a bridge and climbs a long flight of steps on the other side. The mixed trees at the waterside look particularly impressive in their autumn colours.

Stage 4

The path now climbs away from the water and nears the busy A9. Stay in the woods, eventually passing a house at Balmore and emerging onto a minor road. Turn right here and follow the road gently downhill. The road passes under the A9 bridge and immediately afterwards turn right down a path leading to the separate footbridge signed for the boating station. At the far side (unless linking with the Linn of Tummel route to make a figure-of-8) turn right to follow the path around the far side of the Loch.

Stage 5

Soon the boating station is reached, where fishing boats and tackle can be hired and there is also a seasonal cafe, and many hungry ducks. At the road turn right and head uphill passing the Green Park Hotel on the right. After passing the hotel, take the next right turn into Lagreach Brae passing modern houses.

Stage 6

When the road bends left look out for a signed path ahead (on the right side); this soon leads back down to the lochside. The path then passes through some lovely woods; always keep to the main path near the water, ignoring any paths and tracks coming in from the left. The path descends to reach the access track for the dam.

Stage 7

Go straight across this and up the steps to reach the striking visitor centre and cafe, which has a great view over the dam. As you reach the overhang turn left (signed '100 steps path') to head up the nearside of the building to the main entrance. Bear right to cross in front of the entrance and rejoin the path which slopes down and then continues between the river and some houses before reaching the path leading down to the suspension bridge. Turn left here and retrace your steps back to the start of the walk at Ferry Road car park.

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