Strathearn Ramblers forthcoming programme
19th April. Dunkeld and Loch of the Lowes. Stroll
Start & finish: Cally car park (turn left off the A923 Blairgowrie road [1 mile beyond Dunkeld) Meet to depart at 11.15 so have coffee beforehand. Distance 5 miles
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The route follows a waymarked circuit, on gently graded tracks, exploring the rolling countryside north of Dunkeld, with the chance of seeing ospreys and other rare birds at the Loch of Lowes.
The track is mainly on grassy paths, initially through beechwoods, crossing the busy A923, heading for Loch of the Lowes. The return takes pleasant tracks through woodland before reaching Dunkeld, heading back through the town to the carpark which is also uphill.
Note: We plan to take lunch at the SWT visitor centre at the Loch.(Members are free and nonmembers are £4.50). This should allow us to view the resident ospreys and other birdlife.
24th April. Loch Freuchie East Side. Walk.
Start at 10am just below the Old Amulree Hotel on the A822, normally parking on the old bridge road.
Distance 71/2 miles with an ascent of about 500ft
A lovely walk from the start at the Old Amulree Hotel, a few might remember this iconic hotel in the 70’s (showing my age) a beautiful stop over hotel for tourists with an old fashioned petrol and Diesel pump on the other side of the road owned by the hotel which had a hand pump!
The hotel also was host to many folk groups in the 80’s and indeed I camped one night to see a folk group called ‘North Sea Gas’ Sadly the hotel gradually began to look tired and tardy and finally closed. Amulree also boasted a very good tea room in the early millennium years when the settlement still had a very good primary school.
Enough, enough the walk is a gem on our walking Calendar with extensive views over Loch Freuchie from the eastern side, the path follows parallel to the Loch before the trail ascends up and makes a circular walk which brings us back to the former Amulree Hotel.
15th May. Loch Faskally and Enchanted Forest. Stroll .
Distance 5 miles
Starting and finishing point Pitlochry Recreation Car Park at 11.10. (What3Words refutes.character.secures)
A lovely lochside stroll. From the car park we cross the Port-na-Craig suspension bridge then pass by the Pitlochry Theatre to the Hydro Dam and Fish Ladder. We continue on paths and minor roads on the southside of the loch then cross Loch Faskally where we circle around the Enchanted Forest before returning back on ourselves towards the loch’s boating pond. There is an ice hut here. From there we follow the road back down to the northside of the loch towards the Hydro Dam where there is a nice cafe. There is then a short walk back to the car from the dam. The stroll is relatively flat with steps on the steeper ascents and descents.
22nd. May. Stob a’Choire Odhair. Hill walk
Distance: 8 miles
Start: Car park 1Km beyond the Inveroran Hotel just before Victoria Bridge
Finish: As above
Approx time: 6 / 7 hours
Height Gained: 800m
Depart Crieff Coop 7.45am and Comrie School Car Park 8.00am
This is one of two fine Black Mount summits with magnificent views over Rannoch Moor. The opportunity to also do Stop Ghabhar may be possible. This is a relatively hard hill walk with some boggy patches.
.29th May . Loch Turret & Blue Crags Circular Walk .
Distance: 10 miles
Starting and Finishing Point: Loch Turret Dam Car Park
Start Time: 9.40
Description: Starting at Loch Turret Dam at apprioximately 1200ft we walk for 3 miles by thr side of the loch before a long relatively sharp ascent of about a mile leaving the loch behind..Thereafter to contour up to the highest point at 2500 feet. From this point when meander down the hill and back round to the dam. This is a leg stretcher but the views of the surrounding area are well worth it.
12th June. Meall Ghaordaidh from Glen Lochay. Hill walk.
Distance: 6 miles
Start: Small car park a short distance past the bridge over All Dhuin Croisg.
Finish: As Above
Height Gained: 874m
Depart Crieff Coop 8.00am and Comrie School Car Park 8.15am
This is one of the less distinguished Munros which because of its isolated position tends to be done on its own. The approach from Glen Lochay is up a broad grassy shoulder rewarded with a good view from the summit.
26th June. Fife costal path. Stroll & walk.
A] Stroll:- Fife Coastal Path Stroll St David’s Bay to Burntisland
Distance: 5.5 miles?
Start Point: Harbour Place Car Park St David’s Bay Dalgetty Bay
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Start Time: 11.00Journey Time Comrie to Start Point 1 hour 15 minutes
Description: An interesting stroll packed with historical sites and facts, for example, Aberdour Castle and Gardens, the Silver Sands, St Columba’s Church Burntisland (King James Bible), birthplace of Arsenal’s first captain. This a flat walk with ice cream stops on the way and if we are lucky a go on the “Shows” when we arrive at Burntisland.
After a wander around Burntisland or a paddle in the sea strollers can get a train or bus back to Dalgetty Bay where they can pick up their transport. The Sunday service back to Dalgetty Bay by No 7 bus is 59 minutes past the hour from Burntisland and by train is at 14.21, 15.22, 16.24 from Burntisland Station
OR
B] Walk:- Coastal Walk North Queensferry to Burntisland.
Distance 11.5m/18.5km
Leaving from Comrie School car park 8:30am Crieff Co-op 8:45am Driving & getting train/bus back to start.
This section of the Fife Coastal Path starts at the iconic Forth Rail Bridge and alternates between rural coastal scenery and settlements including Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay & Aberdour, with its art galleries, harbour and sandy beach. Lots to see on this lovely coastal walk. The stage finishes at Burntisland, a pretty town where there are shops & places to eat.
10th July. Sgairneach Mhor, Beinn Udlamain and A’ Mharconaich. Hill walk Drumochter
Distance: 16 kms / 10 miles
Start: Lay by 79 on the west side of the A9
Finish: As above
Approx time: 6/7 hours
Height Gained 783 m
Depart Comrie School Car park 7.45am and Creiff Coop at 8.00am
These hills are on the west side of the Drumochter Pass and are heathery hills rather than true mountains but the views are good. It is mostly straight forward hill walking with wetter ground lower down and good walking on mossy turf along the ridges. Whether the 3rd Munro A’ Mharconaich is done depends on the weather etc.
Comrie Fortnight
31st July. Strathearn Ramblers Chairman’s Walk. Crieff to Comrie
Distance: approximately 8 miles
Leaving Comrie PS Car Park 08.45
Leaving Strathearn Community Campus (Crieff High School) Car Park 09.00
Description: From the Campus Car Park we start by taking a path beside the River Earn and thereafter a series of twists and turns we will come back into Comrie after a pleasant day’s walking. There will be opportunities to take photographs,
Also on :-
2nd. August. Strathearn Ramblers Vice-Chairman’s Stroll. Comrie and Comrie Croft
Distance 5 miles
Leaving Comrie PS Car Park 10.00
Description: A lovely social stroll through the Comrie area with many points of interest along the way. The stroll will take us to Comrie Croft where we will stop for a break with coffee/tea and tasty morsels available. Thereafter we will make our way back Comrie. This is a very pleasant walk in good company.
Please note. If you would like to take part in either of these activities booking should be made through the Comrie Fortnight office
14th August. Stuchd an Lochain. Hill walk Glen Lyon
Distance: 6 miles ( the return route will be determined after the recce) Start: Below Giorra Dam, Loch an Damh
Finish: As above
Approx time: 4/5 hours
Height Gained: 610m
Depart Creiff Coop at 8.00am and Comrie School car park at 8.15am
With a start at over 400 metres, Stuchd an Lochain gives a short ascent for a munro. The initial climb is wet and steep but the ridge traverse that follows, around the top of the corrie cradling little Lochan an Cat is a delight.
11th September. Beinn Dearg from Glen Artney. Hill walk
Distance 8.5miles
Start : Car park below Glen Artney Church
Finish: as above
Approx time: 5- 6 hours
Height Gained: 2500ft / 706m
Depart Creiff Coop at 8.15am and Comrie School car park 8.30am
This a circular walk taking in a number of tops on the Highland side of the Boundary Fault which runs the length off Glen Artney. The walk is over grass with some peat hags to negotiate. It is a good season finisher with good views over Strathearn.
9th October. Beinn an t-Sithein. Hill walk.
Distance: 5mile
Start: / Finish: Forestry Commission Car Park at the southern end of Strathyre
Approx time: 5hours
Height Gained 572m
Depart Crieff Coop 8.00am and Comrie School Car Park 8.15am
The climb to the summit of Beinn an t-Sithein utilises forest tracks, steep tracks and paths and is a tough but rewarding hill walk. When on top an incredible panorama extends
Strathearn Ramblers future walks
HILL WALK REMINDERS
Please note that the main walk leaders for each walk will decide whether it will take place on the sated date in the programme or on another nearby day if the weather forecast is better.
They will communicate this to all Ramblers who have previously indicated an interest in participating in the walk, usually 3-4 days ahead, so please e-mail or phone in advance to let them know you are interested.
Booking procedures
Visitors are very welcome to join walks / strolls but will be asked to take cognisance of government Covid 19 guidelines.
The only means to join a walk or stroll is to book in advance by contacting Irwin Keith on 01764 652541 giving your name and mobile number for track and trace purposes. If you change your mind, please let the leader know as soon as possible to allow your place to be offered to another person. No one turning up on the day without pre-booking will be allowed to join.
Joining a walking group will be on a first come first served basis.
Safety measures
In the current circumstances, we are all responsible for helping to keep everyone as safe as possible by following government guidance. Please adhere to the following advice before and during the walk you join.
- Social distancing, 2 metres to be maintained at all times.
- Masks & Hand Sanitiser to be carried by all.
- Maintain distancing during initial briefing and rest stops.
- Travel arrangements – no car sharing for people from different households.
- Contact details in case of emergency must be carried as per club rules.
Where possible bring your own First Aid Kit, mobile and Test & Protect app.