The Post Office is acting as our Tourist Office and there is an excellent wide selection of leaflets, guidebooks. There is an accommodation book where you can see various self catering cottages, bed and breakfast and local business adverts.

Three trips have been mapped out by a local Blue Badge Guide; follow their routes to get the most out of this fascinating and attractive part of Scotland. Blue Badge Guides are all members of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association.

Local activities businesses

Crieff Visitor Centre
Muthill Road, Crieff, Perthhsire, PH7 4HQ
Telephone: 01764 652867
Visitor Centre with Gift Shop, Restaurant, Garden Centre and Highland Drovers Audio Visual Exhibition
www.crieff.co.uk

Scone Palace
Perth, PH2 6BD
Tel: 01738 552300
The original home of the Stone of Destiny and the site of the coronation of the Kings of Scotland.
www.scone-palace.net

Castle Menzies
John Jack, Administrator, Castle Menzies, Weem, Aberfeldy, PH15 2JD
Tel: 01887 820982
16th Century castle, seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies
www.menzies.org/castle


Sample Scenic Southern Perthshire

Routes around Auchterarder, ‘The Lang Toon’, by Gleneagles.

golfing - gardens
history - heritage
recreation - retail

The Highlands! Strathearn Uplands. Ancient Celtic Earldom

1. From Auchterarder; A9 south (Stirling). Turn right into Blackford. Sniff out the secrets of whisky distilling at Tullibardine centre
2. Return to A9 south and turn right towards Braco (A822) Ardoch Fort, Roman remains
3. Continue to village of Muthill, Drummond Castle’s stunning formal gardens
4. Then on to Crieff. Discover the Highland Drovers and their times. Arts, crafts and retail therapy! More whisky at Glenturret plus riverside walking
5. A85 to Comrie - 'The Shakey Toun’, Earthquake Centre, with wildlife and trout fishing
6. Return via B827, Wild moorlands, wonderful views and upland farming
7. At Ardoch Fort take minor road signposted Auchterarder. Pass rear of Gleneagles Hotel, enter Auchterarder via Orchil Road.

Perth, Fair City on the Tay. Scone, an ancient capital Dunning, Christians at crossroads

1. From Auchterarder take A9 north (Perth)
2. At Broxden roundabout, take second turn into the city of Perth.
3. Britain in Bloom 2004 winner and home to the future national ‘showcase’ garden, The Calyx.
4. Historic churches, St John’s Kirk, museum and art galleries, including the Fergusson Gallery, theatre, concert hall booking for both concert hall and theatre can be found here.
5. Riverside walks by the silvery Tay.
6. From the city, cross River Tay, turn left on to A85.
7. At traffic lights bear left on A93 (signposted Scone Palace)
8. Scone Palace and gardens - ancient seat of Kings of Scots with fabulous antique furnishings.
9. Nearby, why not have a flutter at Perth Racecourse!
10. From Scone Palace return on A93. At traffic lights go ahead on A85 (Dundee)
11. Bear right to cross the Tay at Friarton Bridge, continue on bypass towards Stirling.
12. At Broxden Roundabout bear left to A9 (Stirling)
13. Left on B9141 to Dunning
14. St Serf’s Church and admire the Pictish artistry in the 9th C Dupplin Cross
15. B8062 back to Auchterarder
16. Intriguing ‘Witch’ memorial in idyllic farming countryside
17. Over the A9 into Abbey Road. Turn left at top into ‘The Lang Toon’

Ochil Hill passes, Gleneagles, Glendevon Kinross and around Loch Leven

1. From Auchterarder, take Orchil Road A824 to crossroads
   Turn left onto A823 (Dunfermline) past Gleneagles Hotel.
   Gleneagles and Glendevon, route of Romans, Christians and cattle drovers
2. Take two left turns to A91 (St Andrews) through Carnbo to Milnathort.
   Turn right onto A911 to Loch Leven.
   Kinnesswood and Scotlandwell. Settlements on sunny slopes of Lomond Hills. Poets and Pilgrims - hill walks - gliding at Portmoak.
3. B920 (Lochgelly) Right to B9097 (Kinross)
   Vane Farm-RSPB’s nature reserve with wildfowl and woodland.
4. Right to B996 to Kinross
   Cashmere and classical architecture. Visit Kinross House gardens.
   Sail to Loch Leven Castle, prison for Mary Queen of Scots.
5. Turn left to B918 (Kincardine Bridge), continue to A922.
   At roundabout 2nd exit A977 to Crook of Devon.
   Right to A823 (Crieff)
   Retrace route through glens to Auchterarder, ‘The Lang Toon’
   Retail and relaxation at specialist shops and restaurants
   Parachuting at Strathallan Airfield
   History Heritage Centre and nearby medieval chapels, Tullibardine and Innerpeffray with its library

GOLF at Auchterarder, Gleneagles, Muthill, Crieff and Comrie.
Perth, Scone, Whitemoss and Dunning.
Milnathort, Kinnesswood and Kinross

FISHING on Rivers Tay and Earn, Loch Leven and for local fisheries consult http://www.anglingintayside.co.uk/ or contact Tourist Information Centres at Auchterarder, Crieff, Perth or Kinross.

SWIMMING at Crieff, Perth and Kinross and Loch Leven Leisure Centres 

Below is a selection of walks in the local area

Historic Dunning
“Note: good walking boots are essential for this walk which in part is very steep with a lot of scree.”
Distance: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Map: OS 58
Time: 2.5 hours
Start: Tron Square

The charming town of Dunning is the site of a Roman marching camp and a prehistoric fort. The village, which was burned by the Jacobites in 1715, also saw the burning of witches and was home to St Serf who, in the legend, killed the last dragon in Scotland.

From Tron Square by St Serf’s take the Muckart Road to Thorntree Square with its commemorative tree. On the far side go through the yard behind the garage to a footbridge over the burn. Pass through a kissing gate and cross the field to another. The path leads round a garden and along a road. Where the road bends left, go straight on by the last house. The burn narrows and the path is protected by railings. Just after this it bends left to join a road. (1/2 mile - 0.8 km)

Turn right up the road and shortly after the first gateway go through an archway in the stone wall. Follow the path that soon comes close to the burn again, running through woodland and over a side stream until it joins a larger track. Keep on the track and enter the glen. After walking beside the burn cross a footbridge. In 200 yards (180 metres) the track appears to ford the burn, take another bridge back. (1.5 miles - 2.4 lm)

On the right a small streams forms a waterfall. Continue to the end of the track and climb the steps on the left which rise to the top of the glen where there is a bench. On reaching the top go right for 200 yards (180 metres) until just before it bends left where a slight path leads down right to a viewpoint looking across to the Highlands. (2 miles - 3.2 km)

Proceed back down the glen via the upper path across a side stream through coppiced oak. After a right hand bend you can enjoy the view before descending the path to a steep bank. Take the path that zigzags down. (3 miles - 4.8 km)

At the bottom rejoin the track and turn right. The track bends right beside a field, turns stony and climbs a side valley. Emerge on to a minor road opposite a barn and turn left. As you enter Newton of Pitcairns the road makes two sharp bends then runs in a wide street between two houses. Halfway down, just beyond a white two-storey building, turn right up a path between two gardens. (4 miles - 6.4km)

The path leads between two tree-covered hillocks. Fork left and follow the small path up the back of the left hill. A short ascent takes you to the top of the Dunnock. Go along the top and through a gap in a stone wall to enjoy a superb view of Dunning. Descend leftwards, heading for the old school buildings, opposite which a gate gives access to the road. Turn right and walk downhill past old weaver’s cottages and back to Tron Square.

The Provost’s Walk

Distance: 3 miles (approximately)
Difficulty: Easy
Name: In 1887 the Common Muir Commissioners of the town improved the path along the Lochy Burn to the Quarry calling it The Jubilee Walk. In 1932 it was extended to the Western Road and across the Golf Course to Tullibardine Road. To honour the Provost T E Young, it was renamed The Provost’s Walk.

Walk down Abbey Road past the millhands houses on the right to the Mills on your left to Ruthven Water. The Mills were the town’s main employers from the 1860’s until after World War II. (You can see the old power house.) (Another path off Abbey Road, before you pass Abbey Park, also leads to Ruthven Water : The Black Road or the Wee Roadie, once used by carts carrying coal from the station.)

Either way, turn right at the foot of the hill and following the Ladeside Walk beside Ruthven Water to Milton and the mill lade (i.e. water channel) where there was a meal mill and dye works. Beside the lade was the ford across the burn.

You are now on The Provost’s Walk, running parallel with the (barely visible but noisy) by-pass until the Walk turns right uphill. At the top of a rise on a clear day you can see Dunsinane, northwards near Coupar Angus (28 miles), beyond well wooded hills and fields. South are the Kincardine Castle woods, the home of the Grahams, where the great Marquis of Montrose lived as a boy. When the trees are bare you can see from here the ruins of trenches dug by Cromwell’s troop when they attacked the Castle (1650).

In a small dip by the Common Loan (a grassy track for animals) is the Coal Bore where, in the twentieth century, local men dug unsuccessfully for coal. The Bore became a popular swimming hole. Near it is the Granny Stane, an old Celtic standing stone.

Turn right, EITHER up Quarry Road or up Bogie Brae, passing right and left respectively of the play park and football field which lead to the Western Road. All this area is the old Common Muir, the staunchly defended property of the townsfolk.

Alternatively carry on down to the left following the path, keeping the fields and town cemetery on your right, to a small gate on to Western Road, just past Strathearn Home, the handsome old former Poor House.

You can either walk back to Townhead along Western Road or cross the road and through another small gate, follow The Provost’s Walk across Auchterarder Golf Course – bordering 5th hole fairway – and along the disused railway line to Orchil Road and Tullibardine Crescent. Turn right to Townhead.

(Please respect golfers’ rights – and golf balls!!)

Johnny Matthew’s Walk

Distance: Approximately 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Name: Johnnie Matthews (Mathies?) was a postman : this was his route.

Parking at Crown car park – on leaving turn right and into Ruthven Street. Go down to the bottom on Ruthven Street and, there by Ruthven Water, was Ba’ad’s Brae where the smiddy kept a roaring fire – very welcome on cold days. There was a popular sledging hill for children in winter and a swimming hole in summer.

Take tarmac path east of Turhven Water, through underpass, bear left and 25 yards on right is a path following the edge of Kincardine Estate – woodlands on the right, fields on the left. The path winds uphill to Woodend Farm where the main railway from London to the north is crossed by a stone bridge built wide enough for horsedrawn vehicles. Looking east from the bridge is an excellent view of Craig Rossie and Ben Affray with, to the left, an expanse of the Earn Valley.

Continuing, the path is narrowed by encroaching undergrowth. Leaving the wood behind at Buttend Cottage, with the farm above is another fine vista. Turn left and look on your right for the Victorian Gothic turrets of Cloan, home of Viscount Haldane philosopher and statesman, visited by every great man of the period from Lloyd George to Baden Pawell.

Continue past Lochie Farm and the old Auchterarder Railway Station to a Y fork. The left fork takes you past Bankhead Farm to the underpass. The right fork takes you over the motorway, Past Hally’s and Whilte’s Mills (see The Provost’s Walk) and then back uphill by Ruthenvale Terrace and Abbey Road to the High Street.

A much longer walk, turning right at Buttend Cottage is along Duchally Road – a please walk past Duchally House Hotel, with fine views. It takes you to the junction with Gleneagles (A823). Turn right, going over the motorway, past Gleneagles golf courses and Hotel to the Braco / Crieff roundabout – called Black Jock’s corner after the pre-war Police Sergeant who lived here. A right turn takes you back to town.

The Cardger’s Road

Distance: 8 miles (one way)
Difficulty: Moderate
Name: A ‘cadger’ is an itinerant peddler, a carter. This right of way follows an old route once used by cattle drovers bringing their cattle from the Highlands to the Falkirk Tryst.

The Ochils are a long range of steeply-sided, round topped hills which stretch 30miles from the banks of the Firth of Tay to Stirling.

Start the walk by turning right down Abbey Road in Auchterarder. At the foot of this road are two former textile mills. Cross the Ruthven Water over a stone bridge and cross the flyover bridge over the A9. At the far end of the bridge turn right and keep walking until you reach a junction, turn left here towards the hills. Continue on this road, passing beneath the railway line until you reach another junction following a right hand turn. Turn left here and walk straight up the glen of the Coul Burn on the tarmacadam road.

The road climbs steeply past Cloan House and finishes at Coulshill Farm. When you reach the road end continue up the right hand side of the glen on a farm track – this is signposted.

Approximately half a mile beyond Coulshill Farm pass the wooded area on the right and turn up left hand side of the tributary of the Coul Burn. Follow the track which leads away from it to cross the highest point on the route, in a shallow saddle between two small rounded peaks. From this point the path continued downhill through the Borland Glen to the youth hostel at the north end of Glendevon.

If you wish to extend the walk to the town of Dollar, turn left to Glendevon until you see a signpost on the right. Follow the pat across the River Devon to a small road on the far side of the glen. Turn right across a small bridge, and left again up a steep path into Glen Quey. The path is well defined and leads to Dollar.

(Approximately 4 miles)

Craig Rossie

Distance: 5 miles
Height: 410m (1,345ft)
Difficulty: Steep – the scree can be dangerous

This climb challenges all walkers as Craig Rossie dominates the Strathearn scene from every angle. Especially enjoyable in August with the heather in bloom. Like all hill walking it requires great care and suitable clothing.

Go through the underpass at the foot of Ruthven Street or cross the bridge at Abbey Road. Turn left towards Dunning (B8062) as far as Paairney Farm on the right.

(Cars may be parked here but by permission only – observe the Country Code.)

For keen challenges head straight up, but with extreme care, particularly on the scree.

The more relaxes and scenic, if longer, route is by the gravel track through the quarry (home to rock ravens). Then south up the Pairney Burn Glen by a path through gorse and bracken, opening to a high pasture with heather and claeberry. Follow the track east, taking a left fork up to Bold Hill (this is now summit walking) to see the Pict Fort on Ben Effray to the north. Swing round to Craig Rossie, keeping to the high ground, and look back to see the three ring defences of the Pict Fort, (skirt with care a deep gully on your left) and reach the summit up a final grassy slope.

Gleneagles Hotel - Blackford

Distance: 2¼ or 4½ miles (3.8 or 7.6 km)
Time: 1 or 2 hours
Terrain: Gravel paths across golf courses, then grassy track with mature woodland on one side and fields on the other.
Map: OS Landranger 58
Start/parking: Outside the Golf Academy in wide cul-de-sac opposite the main entrance to Gleneagles Hotel.
Grid ref: 921112

Before starting, admire the view opposite the Golf Academy across the Monarch’s golf course to Glen Eagles. From this angle you are looking almost directly up the steep sided glen. Then walk towards the gates of the Gleneagles Hotel and go left down the road for 50 yards. Cross the road and turn up a red gravel track that runs across the King’s golf course. You will see an array of signs indicating that this is part of a running circuit, a cycle way and a horse-riding route. Another asks you to keep dogs on a lead. Keep an eye out for stray balls and, although you shouldn’t be in the way of golfers, it’s always courteous to wait while any nearby play their strokes. After a flat stretch, with a view to the right of the hotel, the track climbs a gorse-covered bank. At the top it levels off and there is a fork to the right, which should be ignored. Keep straight on through a tall avenue of conifers.

Soon the track crests a knoll and bends to the left on the far side. In 100 yards you pass an incongruous ship’s bell. The bell, engraved ‘Stella 1875’ hangs on a wooden frame bearing the sign ‘Please ring after leaving the green’. It is used to let golfers approaching a blind green know that the preceding players have moved on. There is now another super panorama of the Ochils, with a more side-on view of Glen Eagles. Just beyond the bell the track bends right. Leave it and go straight on for a few yards then turn right on to a concrete buggy path. The path runs through a stand of larch then crosses a fairway to the back of the 7th tee. Here go left and immediately left again to drop down a hill to a double gate.

Go through the small metal gate and follow a grassy path downhill. There are now open fields on the left and a line of fine old beech and oak trees on the right. Look out for squirrels and soaring buzzards, which normally give away their presence with their mewing call. The open fields are popular in winter with feeding geese. The path crosses a stone slab over a burn that flows out of a couple of lochs. They are hidden in the woods to the right, but you may hear the sound of ducks and geese drifting down from them. Just beyond the burn there is a crossroads where a track from Drumlochy Farm on the left runs up into the woods.

Keep straight on, with an old stone wall on the left and the line of mature trees on the right. Now the land behind them is more open, rising uphill in a grassy slope. The walking is level and easy with fine views, but you may wish you could silence the nearby dual carriageway. As you come level with a tall stand of Scots pine go through a gate and continue down a smooth track where the grass is grazed short by rabbits. When you come to the fence round Comelyburn Farm head left to a small wooden gate. This takes you on to B8081 just beside a fenced council grit heap.

You can now turn round and enjoy the return walk to Gleneagles or continue into Blackford for refreshments or to catch the us back to the start. To reach Blackford turn right down the road and follow it into the centre of the village. The bus stops by the Blackford Hotel.