Highlights

Essential Info

1st Leg

Start at: NN856490

From the Square in Aberfeldy walk a short distance westwards, in the direction of Kenmore. Before a bridge, turn left through the war memorial arch. Walk through the Lower Birks and fork right over a footbridge. After going up steps and over a mill lade, keep left to cross the A826 by traffic lights at the road bridge. Walk ahead through the Upper Birks car park.

Take the path ahead at the top of the car park, walking under mature beech trees. Soon turn left over a footbridge to follow the east path all the way to the top. After passing a seated statue of Robert Burns, enter the gorge and go left up steps to cross a bridge over a waterfall. Burn’s Seat is on the left before the path zigzags up to a higher level. Come to a viewpoint looking across to the high Falls of Moness.

The path soon bends right to cross a footbridge over the top of the falls, where the water cascades into thin air. Turn left for Urlar on the far side on a path that continues up the gorge before bending right through birch woodland. Come to the Urlar Road and turn right downhill then go left in 75 yards (70m) through a multi-user gate on to a track.

2nd Leg

Start at: NN850474

The track runs diagonally downhill through a mix of pasture and open birch woodland. Farragon Hill and Meall Tairneachan are the two summits across the strath. After going through a gate halfway down there is a fine view of conical Schiehallion ahead.

Beyond a gate in a stone wall, join a gravel track above Dunskaig and turn leftuphill on it. After 400m, pass to the left of a house and go through a gate onto a grassy track that continues climbing.

Enter Bolfracks Wood and, after fording a little stream, keep left and head uphill. The track crests a rise then runs downhill to the end of the wood. Continue through open pasture, keeping to the main track, which curves downhill to the right.

At Tullichuil (grid ref. NN808472), which is screened by young trees, turn left through a gate into woodland (not ahead into a field). Follow a track that steadily climbs for 800m. Once you leave the wood, a superb view stretches to the right over the Tay to Schiehallion. Once past three old pine trees, you can see Loch Tay and Ben Lawers ahead. After entering another forest, the track bends right, downhill.

The track bypasses a white tower house and soon leaves the forest. Where it goes through a gate, leave it and continue ahead across the grass with a wall on your right. Join another track and turn left up it. Beyond a house, fork right and cross a burn.

Meet a minor road at Tombuie Cottage. Turn right across the road bridge and walk 750m downhill, ignoring a turn to a woodland walks car park. For a shortcut, stay on the road, which zigzags down to Kenmore.

3rd Leg

Start at: NN782447

For the full route, go left on a track and enter the Kenmore Hill wood. Beyond an information board, follow the grassy path that contours along the hillside through young trees. After leaving the wood, keep ahead on a track across pasture. Pass to the left of Balmacnaughton and follow a grassy way across fields.

Cross a footbridge over Remony Burn. (Just beyond, a detour 600m uphill leads to a stone circle with a wall through its middle – a fine viewpoint.) Continue along the contouring track, passing below a wood then curving downhill.

Immediately before a bridge, turn right onto a path beside Acharn Burn. Go down two flights of steps, then turn left over a footbridge where the water cascades over sculpted rocks. Climb back up to the track and go right, downhill.

Look out for the Hermit’s Cave on your right. Follow the passageway, which has a step down, and turn right inside to a balcony where the Falls of Acharn are suddenly revealed. After leaving the cave, continue down the track to the South Loch Tay road.

4th Leg

Start at: NN755438

Turn right and cross the road bridge into the pretty village of Acharn. Walk 2.5km along the road, passing the Scottish Crannog Centre. At the junction with the A827, turn left into Kenmore. Walk past the beach at the east end of Loch Tay and continue to the Square in the centre of the village.