Cateran Trail Stage 3 - Spittal of Glenshee to Kirkton of Glenisla

Summary

A gentler section of the Cateran Trail, the route meanders down the east side of Glenshee with lovely open views, crossing farmland before a short road section leads to a moorland climb and a rougher, remote walk to Glen Isla. If following the Cateran Mini Trail leave this route at Stage 4 to follow the link route from Cray to Kirkmichael.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Tracks and paths over farmland, muddy in places, minor road.

Getting there

Start

Spittal of Glenshee.

Public Transport

Bus (Ember) to Spittal of Glenshee.

Start Grid Ref

NO109699

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Services

Self catering at Spittal of Glenshee which sometimes allows nightly bookings. Glenisla has a hotel.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 23.5km / 14.5 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 450m (Profile)

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Resume the walk where the Cateran Trail reaches the road at the Spittal of Glenshee. This was the site of a significant battle in 1606 between locals and marauding Caterans who had stolen cattle from the neighbouring area. The Caterans were defeated and cattle thieving became much less of a threat. You can either head across the field with the stone circle keeping near the Shee Water or head along the road towards the lovely stone bridge over the river. Cross the bridge and pass the church and Gulabin Lodge. At the main road, cross and turn left along the verge soon heading through a walker's gate, go straight across the end of the old road to join a farm track which crosses the Altta' Ghlinne Bhig and heads down Glen Shee.

Stage 2

Follow the grassy track until the route bears left just before a building and up to a metal gate. Go through this and immediately turn right, soon cross a bridge, and after a gate in the stone wall ahead go through the next gate on the right and down the field on a sometimes muddy track. Cross another burn and continue straight ahead, keeping an eye out for the next marker post and gate as the route follows a vague grassy track, which becomes clearer further on, across the fields with a gate. Just before the farm buildings at Westerton of Runavey head slightly uphill to a gate, head down towards the buildings but turn left along a track before you reach them. Continue on the track through grazing land, going through a gate next to a farm gate which is often muddy.

Stage 3

Keep following the waymarkers and walker's gate before climbing a small rise with young trees and the barn at Invereddrie visible over to the right. Pass a large boulder and head down and cross the Invereddrie farm track to follow a grassy/boggy track to another gate. Keep near the fence on your left and soon reach and cross a footbridge. Bear left to a gate and then follow the level path towards a small group of pine trees. Turn left at the signpost before the trees to head up towards a gate with a mast beyond. Go through the gate and turn right to follow the vague path near the wall, passing behind Broughdearg. Don't follow the track heading uphill to a mast but keep an eye out for the walker's gate on the right. Go through this and head directly down across very boggy ground to meet a track at a signpost. Turn left along the track which soon becomes grassy.

Stage 4

Pass around the house at Dunmay and soon watch out for a wooden gate on the left near trees (don't take the metal farm gate ahead). Go through the wooden gate and follow the rougher track. When the edge of some forestry is reached the path bears right through a gate and over very boggy ground to cross a burn and then follows the edge of the woods until a track is reached with the river just to the right. Turn left uphill on the stony track with the stone wall of Dalnaglar Castle on your right. Pass a cottage and and keep on the main track (ignore a forest track to the left before the castle which is wrongly waymarked for the Cateran Trail - taking this takes you uphill on a longer forest alternative) to pass Dalnaglar Castle and continue along the minor road. At the next road junction, the Cateran Mini Trail turns right to follow the road to Cray, otherwise if following the full Cateran Trail turn left to follow the road that climbs over a low pass from Glen Shee to Glen Isla, crossing into Angus along the way. At a junction in Glen Isla, turn left to head towards Forter Castle.

Stage 5

Pass Forter Castle and then the farm and cottages and at the road junction turn right towards Folda. Soon after the Bridge of Forter take a signed track on the left, go through the gate and follow the track uphill. There are great views to the head of Glen Isla. When the track swings to the right at a block of forestry, keep straight ahead on an older track which heads over the open moorland. Go through a wooden gate and the gradient eases off and the track becomes grassy. When the track forks keep right (waymarker) to follow a high pass with Auchintaple Loch soon visible to the right. Climb to reach a gate, stile and bench and after this turn right.

Stage 6

Go through the metal gate and follow the track which zig zags down then passes just above the loch (the path on the right leads to a nice rest/camp spot in the trees by the water). Continue ahead through the trees and through a gate and turn left at a bend to follow a stony track uphill. When Loch Shandra comes into view down on the right turn right onto a grassy track to reach a gate. After this the path becomes fainter but keeps to the right (west) side of the glen. After the boggy ground the path improves as it traverses the west side of the glen and going through a farm gate to pass beside Loch Shandra.

Stage 7

At the far end of the loch and dam there is a fishing/boat hut and picnic table. Follow the track, keeping right at a junction to head uphill with forestry on your left. Continue until the track bends left and heads through a gate. Descend the track and the buildings in Glen Isla come into view on the right. Before the barn turn right to reach the road. Turn right here to follow the road for a short distance to Kirkton of Glenisla, passing the hotel, and a little further on, beyond the church, a car park, picnic area and toilets (tap at back of community hall).

Next stage: Kirkton of Glenisla to Alyth

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