A LOT of serious walkers dismiss Pitlochry as a place that's just for tourists. While it's undeniable that you'll find all the tartan, shortbread and woollens a coach party could want here, there are also some very enjoyable walking routes that pass through spectacular scenery.
The town is dominated by the 2,758ft (841m) Ben Vrackie. At its base lies Loch Faskally, which was formed when the Tummel valley was dammed for Pitlochry's hydro-electric scheme. A walk around its edges and along the banks of the River Garry makes a
great day out and should be manageable by most members of the family.
This walk starts by the River Tummel. It passes the town's renowned Festival Theatre before reaching the loch's dam and a fish ladder which each year helps around 5,400 salmon go upriver to spawn. The next stretch is the least pleasant as you follow the A9 for a few minutes. You are soon on a quiet, single-track road, though, walking high above the loch. As the surrounding trees start to thin out, the views become more extensive. (This is a brilliant place to spot red squirrels.)
On the left just before you reach the Clunie Power Station Memorial Arch, look out for a standing stone, thought to date back to the 7th century. The arch was built in memory of workers who died during the construction of a tunnel to the power plant from Loch Tummel between 1946 and 1950.
A little further on it is worth taking a signposted detour down to the idyllic Linn of Tummel. The waterfalls, backed by small crags and native pines, are a picture-postcard view of Highland Perthshire.
After this you cross the Coronation Bridge (built to mark the crowning of George V) and make your way up the quieter River Garry. On crossing the Garry Bridge, you get a great view up a deep gorge towards Killiecrankie where, in 1689, a Jacobite army led by Bonnie Dundee defeated government forces. You can take a detour to the Soldier's Leap – where a defeated soldier is said to have managed to make good his escape. But you do get about the best view of the gorge from the Garry Bridge. (The National Trust for Scotland's visitor centre here reopens for the season in April.)
It is a pleasant stroll back along the river and loch to the edge of Pitlochry where a bit of navigation is necessary to avoid the main street and keep to the water's edge all the way back to the start.
Wear boots as it can be muddy and is rocky in places. Bear in mind the length as well, and make sure you wear warm, waterproof clothes and take something to eat and drink.
Distance 9 miles.
Height climbed Undulating but about 500ft in total.
Time 4 to 5 hours.
Map OS Landranger 52 and 43.
Park Turn down Ferry Road (off Pitlochry's main street, next to Victoria's Restaurant and Coffee Shop). Drive under a railway bridge and continue down to a car park on the left, next to the town's recreation ground (ignore car parks on the right just after the railway bridge).
In summary Follow a track at the bottom of the car park and go right after about 30 yards to cross a footbridge. Go left to reach the Port-na-Craig suspension bridge which leads over the River Tummel. On the other side, go right to follow a road below the theatre to a dam with a fish ladder. Climb some steps next to the ladder and go right at the top (don't cross the dam).
The path follows the edge of Loch Faskally then climbs some steps before going right to run parallel with the A9.
On reaching a minor road, go right and follow it as it goes under the A9, past Clunie Power Station's Memorial Arch, the Linn of Tummel and on to Coronation Bridge. Cross the bridge and go right to follow a path back along the river and above the other side of the Linn of Tummel waterfalls.
Go sharp left after the falls and follow a path which goes under a road bridge carrying the B8019. Continue along the River Garry to a footbridge which crosses it and go right at the other side.
Follow the river back to Loch Faskally and, after passing Faskally House, join a single-track road. Follow this for just less than a mile to a small car park next to Loch Dunmore. From here, take a track on the right then, at a fork, go left and then straight on at a junction of tracks. After passing round the side of Dunmore Hill, go right at a junction of paths, following a green waymarker.
At a white waymarker, go right to drop down to the shore of the loch again which you follow, past the Clunie footbridge and down to a boating station. Go right and follow a drive uphill to pass the Green Park Hotel. Before reaching the main road go right to return to the loch, which you follow. Bear right in front of some stone cottages, keeping close to the water's edge, then cross a service road for the dam and follow a path up, then down to a field in front of some houses. Bear right to follow the river back to the Port-na-Craig suspension bridge, where you go left to retrace your steps the short distance to the start.
Refreshments There are many places in Pitlochry, including the Port-na-Craig Inn and Restaurant passed near the start of the walk.
The full article contains 948 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
