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 (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

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

Public Transport

Very infrequent bus to Spittal of Glenshee, Kirkton of Glenisla has infrequent bus from Alyth and Blairgowrie.

Start

Spittal of Glenshee. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 23.5km / 14.5 miles
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Ascent: 450m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NO109699

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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. Follow the road past Cairnwell Mountain Sports and over the lovely stone bridge spanning the Shee Water, and past the church and Gulabin Lodge. At the main road, cross and head left for a short distance before climbing a stile to follow a farm track back down Glen Shee.

Stage 2

Follow the grassy track until the route bears left before a barn and through a metal gate. Turn right, cross a bridge, and head right again back through a gate 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 as the route follows a vague tractor track, which becomes clearer further on, across the fields. Just before the farm buildings at Westerton of Runavey climb the stile uphill from the gate, head down towards the buildings but turn left along a track before you reach them. A stile leads to a track between fences before the route heads straight across a field and down to a stile and stream.

Stage 3

Climb up the next field and bear right at the marker post to another stile to cross a field with a barn on the right. Turn left after another stile to reach a track, turn left along it for a short way before a marker indicates a turning on the right. A number of fields on, cross a footbridge and climb directly up the steep hill opposite to pick up the path near the top which aims to the right to eventually cross a stone wall on a high stile. Turn right and follow the vague path near the wall, passing behind Broughdearg (ignore the gate here and the track up to the mast) to reach another high stile on the right. Climb this to head down to a clear track, turn left along it.

Stage 4

Pass behind the farm buildings at Dunmay and watch out for a wooden gate on the left, take this and follow the rougher track. At the edge of the forestry the path bears right 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 and keep on the main track 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

Turn right towards Folda and soon after the Bridge of Forter look out for a signed high stile and gate on the left. Take this forestry track uphill, with good views back to the Castle. Keep straight ahead where a track leaves to the right and climb a stile onto the open moorland. The track gradient eases off, keep right at the junction to follow the high pass with Auchintaple Loch visible to the right. After a stile turn right to head down towards forestry. Look out for the carved marker post just before entering the trees.

Stage 6

The forestry track emerges to cross a high stile at the far end of Auchintaple Loch. After another stile turn left at a bend to follow a stony track uphill. Eventually a wooden gate is reached with a view down to Loch Shandra on the right. Turn right here before the gate to follow an indistinct path through the heather keeping to the right (west) side of the glen, this section can be very boggy, before aiming down into the glen to follow the right (west) side of 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 and through a gate before it bends left to reach pine trees. Keep the trees on your right at first and descend the track, as the buildings in Glen Isla come into view the trees are on your left. Head towards the farm, passing the domed, stone war memorial on the right, and turn right at the signed junction before the barn 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.

Next stage: Kirkton of Glenisla to Alyth

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