THE deep glens behind Blair Atholl offer wild mountain country frequented by hunting, shooting and fishing types, as well as walkers and mountain-bikers. The area gives a feeling of remoteness, but remember that this is prime Scottish countryside and is therefore managed to make the best use of it for estates.
Nevertheless, it is a wonderful place to escape to. The Munros take a number of hours to reach and, as a result, are often quiet (just observe signs about shooting to ensure you enjoy a peaceful day).
This walk follows Glen Tilt for part of its le
ngth; the first section is high above the gorge formed by the eponymous river. You then climb up through woodland to get a great view of Beinn Dearg, to the left, and Carn a' Chlamain, to the right; and then drop down to the picturesque, stone-built Gilbert's Bridge, with the powerful river pouring through a wide rocky chasm below.
Returning along the other side of the river, you get to see far more of its rapids, currently full after a summer of rain.
Don't think of this walk as a poor substitute for climbing up to a mountain summit. The quiet surroundings and brilliant views of vast open spaces rising above 3,000ft should be reason enough to make it an enjoyable excursion. Yes, reaching those lofty peaks is fantastic, but it is not everything. If the wind is high, the rain or snow falling and the temperature plummeting, it is sometimes more pleasant, and sensible, to stay in the glen.
You don't need full mountain gear for this, but boots are advisable, as well as waterproofs and warm clothing. Take care not to disturb any deer-stalking currently taking place in the area. The information board in the car park usually has notices about what's going on, or you can call Hillphones on 01796 481731.
The Jubilee Rifle Range is encountered on the walk. It is not due to be used again this year, but you can ring 01796 481355 to double check.
Distance 5.5 miles.
Height climbed 520ft.
Time 2 to 3 hours.
Map OS Landranger 43.
Park From the centre of Blair Atholl, turn off the main road opposite the Bridge of Tilt Hotel, following a sign to Old Blair. After just over half a mile, go left, again following a sign to Old Blair. There is a car park a few hundred yards further along, on the left.
In summary Follow a path to the right of an information board in the car park to another, wider, path, where you go right. Go left when you reach the River Tilt, cross a stone bridge above the road you drove in on and turn right.
Go right at a track and follow it along fields to the left until it starts to drop down, into trees. Take a path up to the left here – indicated with a yellow arrow waymarker. After crossing a small stone bridge, the path becomes grassy and climbs up to a track, where you go right.
Drop down through a rifle range (if it is in use, you will have to turn back – see above) to reach two yellow arrows on a marker post next to a metal gate. Go right here and cross Gilbert's Bridge.
Turn right at the far side of the bridge and then follow a track back down to the river. Re-cross the river at another bridge and follow the track on the other side, which rejoins the route taken on the way up, back to the car park.
Refreshments The number of places in Blair Atholl are too numerous to mention here, but they do satisfy all tastes and wallets.
While you are in the area Blair Castle (01796 481207;
www.blair-castle.co.uk) is a quintessentially Scottish country pile. Just across the A9 is Killiecrankie, where in 1689 a Jacobite army led by Bonnie Dundee defeated government forces. It is looked after by the National Trust for Scotland (01796 473233, www.nts.org.uk) and has a visitor centre. Both places have limited opening after the start of November.
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