Take the bus...for a walk

Walks in and around PerthshireKnown as ‘Big Tree Country’, Perthshire is renowned for its magnificent forests and country gardens, providing a real visual delight at any time of year. Linking the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland, Perthshire offers a rich variety of scenery, from the wide and graceful River Tay to great rolling mountains and tranquil glens.

The region is bursting with attractions and historic monuments as well as its spectacular natural beauty. With great transport links around the region and an abundance of cafés, restaurants and inns to enjoy refreshment and delicious Scottish food and drink, you are simply spoilt for choice as you discover the delights of Perthshire.

What is Sustainable Tourism? Scotland is well-known across the world for its beautiful scenery and warm welcome. Sustainable Tourism seeks to keep it this way, balancing environmental, social and economic concerns to make sure that everyone can benefit for years to come.

In practice, this means you can enjoy fantastic local produce, ‘greener’ accommodation and more sustainable local transport, safe in the knowledge that the natural and built environment around you is cared for and that your visit directly benefits the local community.

Elcho Castle Gold GTBS*Address Elcho, Rhynd, Perth, Perthshire PH2 8QQTelephone 01738 639 998 Website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk– search for ‘Elcho Castle’.

Stanley Mills Gold GTBS*Address Stanley, Perthshire PH1 4QETelephone 01738 828 268Website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk – search for ‘Stanley Mills’.

The Famous Grouse Experience Silver GTBS* Address The Hosh, Crieff, Perthshire PH7 4HATelephone 01764 656 565 Website www.thefamousgrouse.com Scone Palace Silver GTBS* Address Scone, Scone Palace, Perth PH2 6BDTelephone 01738 552 300 Website www.scone-palace.co.uk

Dunblane CathedralGold GTBS*Address The Cross, Dunblane, Perthshire FK15 0AQTelephone 01786 825 388Website www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk

Blair CastleSilver GTBS*Address Blair Atholl, Pitlochry PH18 5TLTelephone 01796 481 207Website www.blair-castle.co.uk

Hilton Hotel and Country Club Gold GTBS*Address Dunkeld, Perthshire PH8 0HXTelephone 01350 727 771Website hilton.co.uk/dunkeld

Gleneagles HotelGold GTBS*Address Auchterarder, Perthshire PH3 1NF Telephone 01764 662 231Website www.gleneagles.com

Crieff Hydro Silver GTBS*Address Crieff, Perthshire PH7 3LQTelephone 01764 655 555Website www.crieffhydro.com

Tigh-Na-Cloich Hotel Silver GTBS*Address Larchwood Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5ASTelephone 01796 472 216Website www.pitlochry-hotel.com

Greenacres Bed and Breakfast Gold GTBS*Address Chapelhill, Logiealmond, Perth, Perthshire PH1 3TQTelephone 01738 880 302Website www.bedandbreakfast- perthshire.co.uk

VisitScotlandInformation Centre(all-year)

VisitScotlandInformation Centre(seasonal)

Walk locations

Attractions to see

Places to eat

DisclaimerThis booklet is designed to provide information on inspiring walks around the Perthshire area using public transport. All information was correct at time of printing, but for any further queries please contact Traveline Scotland – phone 0871 200 22 33, visit www.travelinescotland.com or visit your nearest VisitScotland Information Centre.

In association with:

Bus & Walk Routes

* All the businesses in this guide are committed to Sustainable Tourism by being members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme. To find out more information visit www.scotland-sustainabletourism.com and www.green-business.co.uk

VisitScotland - Walkingwww.walking.visitscotland.com

Walking Worldwww.walkingworld.com

Traveline Scotlandwww.travelinescotland.com

EatScotlandwww.eatscotland.com

Useful websites

Walk safelyTo enjoy Scotland’s beautiful scenery safely, always remember:

Check the weather forecast before •setting out

Check bus times and make sure •you have enough time to complete the route

Take warm and waterproof clothing - •the weather can change quickly in Scotland

Wear suitable footwear - strong, •waterproof boots or shoes

Take enough food and drink for each •member of your group

If you are inexperienced, don’t •walk alone.

Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors responsiblyEveryone has the right to be on most land and inland water providing they act responsibly. Your access rights and responsibilities are explained fully in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Whether you’re in the outdoors or managing the outdoors, the key things are to:

take responsibility for your own actions•

respect the interests of other people•

care for the environment.•

Visit www.outdooraccess-scotland.com or contact your local Scottish Natural Heritage office.

Perthshire

Den of Alyth

The Hermitage and Braan Walk, near Dunkeld

Pitlochry, Killiecrankie and Linn of Tummel

The WalksLady Mary’s Walk, Crieff

From a striking gorge to imposing bridges and viaducts and from thriving woodlands to monuments, gushing waterfalls and a fascinating salmon ladder, this walk has it all.

Follow Burnside Road south, turning right onto Ferry Road, then left onto Bruach Lane. At the end of Bruach Lane turn right onto Perth Road, right again onto Bridge Road, crossing the bridge before turning right once more onto Foss Road.

At the end of Foss Road, turn right onto the A9 to arrive at Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder, where the walk begins.

Follow the banks of Loch Faskally through the forest and past a small loch before ascending into the historic Pass of Killiecrankie, site of a famous battle between the Scots and the English in 1689. Head through the gorge to Soldier’s Leap, then continue to Killiecrankie Village and across the River Garry to Garry road bridge which provides spectacular views towards the Ben a’Ghlo hills before eventually reaching Coronation Bridge over the River Tummel.

Return by following a small country road, crossing Loch Faskally by Clunie Bridge and rejoining the original route.

Lady Mary’s Walk takes its name from a favourite walk of Lady Mary Murray, whose father, a local landowner, opened it to the people of Crieff in 1825. It provides a serene circular woodland stroll beside the sparkling River Earn, lined by a fragrant and vibrant swathe of mature oak, beech, lime and sweet chestnut trees.

Turn right after alighting from the bus, then right again at the fountain in James Square and continue down West High Street and Lodge Street to Burrell Square. Turn right onto Burrell Street and left onto Milnab Street to arrive at Taylor Park then the bridge over the Turret.

Turn left onto the path alongside Turret Burn to arrive at the banks of the River Earn, where this walk begins.

The route follows the riverbank until you reach the gap in the old railway embankment. Head up the hill on the left-hand path just after the gap, where you will find the circular route onto nearby Laggan Hill well signposted. This walk meanders gently through deciduous woodland, offering stunning views of the surrounding area and the chance to spot herons, kingfishers, oystercatchers, otters and more.

Distance 8.5km Time 2hrs 30mins Level ChallengingBus Stagecoach service 23 from stance F, Mill Street, Perth. Alight at North car park, Atholl.

Distance 4km Time 1hr Level EasyBus Stagecoach service 57 from stance 3, Perth Bus Station. Alight at Market Street, Alyth.

Distance 21km Time 5hrs 30mins Level ModerateBus Stagecoach service 23 from stance F, Mill Street, Perth. Alight at Tulliemet Road End, Ballinluig and change buses onto Stagecoach service 24. Alight at Burnside Road, Pitlochry.

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This popular countryside walk allows you to explore a leafy wilderness of hidden grottos, waterfalls and magnificent trees. Start this circular route from Dunkeld by following signs to Inver and then to Inver car park, where an information board provides full details of the route.

Begin on the Braan Walk path through woodland, keeping to the higher, waymarked path. Follow the River Braan upstream to see one of Britain’s tallest trees – a 64.6m Douglas fir. Cross the bridge to admire Ossian’s Hall, before turning left and continuing along the path to Ossian’s Cave.

Keep to the river path and turn left at the crossroads, following green markers before turning left again to Rumbling Bridge. Turn left once more at the road and stroll downhill to the cascading waters of Rumbling Bridge waterfall.

Crossing the bridge, take the first path left and keep going until you reach a road. Cross over and continue along the track, turning left and then right when the path forks. Follow the path until you reach a forestry track, then turn left to follow the green marker. Keep on the main track through forest, then head left to arrive at a road. Cross, head through the trees and cross again to reach Inver car park.

This pleasant woodland walk explores the deep, leafy glen of the Alyth Burn, home to towering oak, hazel and wych elm trees and many waders and woodland birds.

From Market Square, look out for the black marker which will guide you to the Den of Alyth. Turn onto Bamff Road and follow the road past the parish church until you reach the gates to the Den of Alyth.

Amble along the footpath, heading right to follow the burn upstream. You will soon see where Alyth Burn has gradually worn away the rock to become a high cliff known as Old Red Sandstone, worn by

meltwater from glaciers moving south from the Cairngorm ice mass around 10,000 years ago.

Head towards a bridge amongst the beech trees, then continue on the same side on a narrow path, staying aware of the steep drop. Keep to the same side, walking past another bridge and crossing the third bridge you come to before forking left to follow the water’s edge. Cross the road at the stone bridge and continue onwards until you reach a crumbling stone wall, turning right onto a path inland and then uphill. Retrace your route to return to the start.

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Distance 5.5km Time 2hrs Level EasyBus Stagecoach service 15 from Scott Street, Perth. Alight opposite Hill Street on High Street, Perth.Walk Route

Start of Walk