A long distance circular route throughbeautiful Perthshire and the Angusglens, in the footsteps of the fearsomecattle thieves of the highlands.

“The sort ofScotlandwalkersdream of…”THE GREAT OUTDOORS (TGO) MAGAZINE

www.caterantrail .org

TheCATERAN

Trail

FORGET THE WEEKEND BREAK

-HOW ABOUTA WEEKENDCHALLENGE?

Back in Kirkmichael, enjoy a well earned meal atone of the local hostelries before returning home.

After a night’s rest at the Spittalof Glenshee, the first part of the12 mile (19 km) return journeyto Kirkmichael hugs the Sheewater down to the bridge at Lair.From here the Mini Trail windsacross often trackless (but sign-posted) moor. The ruinedshielings bear witness to a lostway of life. When the moor givesway to farmland note the hugedrystone dykes, every stone andboulder dug up and hauled awayto create fields and pasture.

The walk to the Spittal passes throughconifer plantations and heathery hillsidebefore arriving at the Lairig Gate, the highpoint of the Trail (650m/2130ft). Stunningviews unfold on the descent to the Spittal.

Spend Friday night in Kirkmichael to get an earlystart and after a hearty breakfast head north alongold drove roads to towards the Spittal of Glenshee.During summer months, if time allows a visit toDirnanean Gardens is well worth the detour.

For walkers looking for anexciting weekend away fromit all, the Mini Trail offers theideal opportunity to samplesome of the Trail’s best bits.

Walking the Trail The Caterans Eating and Sleeping

Why not download the new freeCateran Trail app from Google PlayStore and enjoy stories, legends andinsights into points of interest alongthe way. The app brings the Trail tolife and will really enrich your journey.

Cateran Trail AppCateran Trail GeoTourPerthshire is the geocaching capital

of Scotland, and the Cateran Trail is

home to the first UK based GeoTour

with collectable bronze and antique

silver geocoins to be won.

www.caterantrail.org/geocaching

Signposts, stiles and

bridges marked with

the Trail’s logo make it

easy to find your way.

Fully Waymarked

The Trail is named after the Caterans - marauding cattle thieves who flourished in the more lawless regions of the Highlands from the Middle Ages until the 17th century. More feared than wolves, Cateran raiding parties numbered anything from 5 to 500 fierce warriors. Favouring dark nights they would descend on richer neighbours when they were off guard. Weddings and other festivities often provided an opportunity for a raid and many revellers would sober up to find their folds empty and their cattle gone. The Caterans raided far and wide but the rich farmlands of Strathardle and Glen Isla were particularly 'favoured'. Stolen cattle would be spirited away up ancient drove roads through remote glens…some of which can be walked as part of the Trail.

The Cateran Trail is a fully waymarked walk of 64 miles (103 km) that lies at the heart of Scotland, approximately 90 minutes north of Edinburgh. The route follows old drove roads and ancient tracks across a varied terrain of farmland, forests and moors. It boasts breathtaking scenery in a corner of Perthshire relatively unknown to walkers.

A circular route, the Trail has no real beginning or end allowing walkers to join at any of the settlements along its length. Blairgowrie, as the biggest town, is where most walkers choose to begin. The nearest village is never more than 7 miles (11 km) away and gradients vary from easy to moderate. The Trail’s highest point is only 650m (2100 ft) above sea level. The Trail can be completed comfortably within five days.

Accommodation, a hot bath, hearty food and a dram are available at the end of each stage. For those who prefer to base themselves in one place for the duration of their stay, or would like to be relieved of the burden of carrying their pack, some hotels and B&Bs offer a pick-up and transfer service. For everything you need to know about where to eat well and find a comfy bed for the night go to

www.visiteastperthshire.co.ukwww.glenofthefairies.co.uk

There are limited opportunities to camp on official sites whilst walking the Trail. ‘Wild’ camping is permitted and you can find more information and tips at www.caterantrail.org

Forter Castle

Kirkmichael

Spittal ofGlenshee

Kirkton ofGlenisla

Enochdhu

Blacklunans

Forter

ST

RA

TH

AR

DL

EG

LE

NS

HE

E

GL

EN

IS

LA

MountBlair 744m

Lair

LochBeanie

AuchintapleLoch

DrumoreLoch

LochCrannach Meall Uaine

794m

Ben Earb801m

Mealna Letter702m

Monamenach807m

3 miles5 km

The Cateran TrailAlternative Routes

LochShandra

CalamanachWood

LunchHut

AshintullyCastle

DalnaglarCastle

ForterCastle

SHE

E W

AT

ER

Stage 2Kirkmichael – Spittal of Glenshee8 miles / 13 km

Leaving Kirkmichael, you follow a wonderful moorland route and hill pass from Enochdhu through to Spittal of Glenshee. Enochdhu means ‘black meadow’ or ‘moor’ and was once where Caterans gathered after a raid. Dirnanean Garden is on the route – open during summer months – and worth a visit for walkers with time in hand.

Along the path, a timber ‘lunch hut’, originally provided by the estate for shooting parties, offers an ideal resting place. Queen Victoria stopped near to this spot in 1865 to enjoy a picnic. Don't forget to put your name in the Visitors' Book, a fascinating record of the many characters who have walked this way over the years.

Rising to over 650m / 2100ft above sea level, the wild mountainous country on the walk from the Lairig Gate down into the Spittal of Glensheeis spectacular. For those interested in wildlife you may be rewarded with a glimpse of red deer or an eagle soaring overhead. The Spittal takes its name from the old Scots word meaning ‘a refuge on a remote hill pass’ - from a time when wolves roamed wild in Scotland.

Upper Lunch Hut

Stage 1Blairgowrie – Kirkmichael15 miles / 24.5 km

Your walk begins in the busy market town of Blairgowrie which is at the centre of Perthshire’s soft fruit industry and was once famous for growing flax and processing jute. In late autumn wild Atlantic salmon are often seen ascending the waterfalls on the River Ericht as they head upstream to their spawning grounds. After a gentle stroll along the river, the path climbs over Cochrage Muir. Tremendous views accompany your descent to the tiny hamlet of Bridge of Cally - a popular location for field and winter sports. From here, the Trail passes through Blackcraig Forest and into the peaceful glen known as Strathardle which has been farmed since the Bronze Age and was once home to over 3,000 people. Nowadays it’s a little quieter but Kirkmichael still provides a good range of places to rest and eat or shop for lunch.

Mount Blair

Bridgeof Cally

Blairgowrie Rattray

Alyth

Bridge ofCraigisla

C O C H R A G EM U I R

F O R E S TO F A L Y T H

DrimmieWood

Ballintuim

LochBenachally

LochCharles

BlackcraigForest

AlythHill

BlackcraigCastle

RI V

ER

I SL A

BL

AC

K W

AT

ER

RIV

ER

AR D

L E

R I V E R E R I CH

T

Stage 3Spittal of Glenshee – Kirkton of Glenisla14 miles / 22.5 km

From Glenshee the Trail follows the Shee Water through rough pasture, past Dalnaglar Castle. This is followed by a section along a quiet minor road which takes you past the picturesque Forter Castle.

For panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, more energetic walkers may wish to take the alternative route into Glenisla by crossing Mount Blair.

The Trail then follows off road tracks past Auchintaple Loch and Loch Shandra. It is worth taking a short diversion through the trees to the banks of Auchintaple to witness the fantastic views of Mount Blair. The final destination for this stage is the village of Kirkton of Glenisla nestling on the banks of the River Isla.

Stage 5Alyth – Blairgowrie16 miles / 26km

Leaving Alyth, the Trail again passes over Alyth Hill and follows moorland and pleasant estate roads, close to the massive standing stones of Heatheryhaugh. You will see evidence of wild beaver activity as there are now over 150 of these elusive creatures along the myriad waterways feeding into the River Tay...

At this stage gradients are generally gentle with extensive views as the route twice rises to around 289m/950ft above sea level. The homeward trek into Bridge of Cally is mostly on quiet minor tarmac roads.

The last part of the Trail back to Blairgowrie is the reversal of the first part of stage one. A diversion through the picturesque Den of Alyth and Drimmie Woods allows you to vary your return route.

Stage 4Kirkton of Glenisla – Alyth11 miles / 17.5 km

The tranquility of Glen Isla is a real treat in the early morning, and as the Trail rises high above the river and fields it

gives way to fantastic open views over an idyllic pastoral scene. This area has strong links to Arthurian legends. It is believed that Queen Guinevere was held captive by King Mordred at his fort on nearby Barry Hill.Crossing Alyth Hill, the route rises

steeply above Alyth, then skims the edge of the town, before making its way to Toutie Street - down which cattle were driven in centuries past. The street takes its name from the noise of the herd-boy's horn as he drove the cattle to pasture.

Cateran Trail

Mini Trail

Unofficial variation

K E Y

ST

RA

TH

AR

DL

E

PublicationsFootprint Map

www.PKCT.org

The Cateran Trail is proud to be one of

Compact waterproof map published by Footprint is available online at www.stirlingsurveys.co.uk/

nationaltrails.html and from good bookshops.

The Cateran Trail is managed by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust and would not exist without the kind permission and co-operation of owners whose land it crosses.

The Countryside Trust is continually improving the Trail, and has replaced the more formidable ladder stiles with gates. However, the route largely remains as it was designed – for walkers. Owing to the softness of much of the terrain, it will always be challenging for cyclists.

If you want to tackle the full Trail with your dog be prepared to back track and/or detour as there will be fields with livestock and, at times, young animals. Please leave gates as you find them - even if they are open.

www.scotlandsgreattrails.org.uk

Rucksack Readers Guide An informative colour guide book with drop down route map for the Trail. Purchase online at www.rucsacs.com

Explore the Cateran TrailFully illustrated guide to the rich, vibrant history, stories and legends of the Trail. Available from The Bookshop or the Visitor Information Centre in Blairgowrie.