Abetro one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Abetro here.

I expected that this route would feel like a long slog. But I was pleasantly surprised. It follows tracks through Griffin forest and windfarm, but views from the path were available from the great majority of the route, there were only a few short stretches where the path was hemmed in by mature forest. Over time this will change further, when trees grow, and others are felled. I have given it 4 stars, as I felt that using an adjacent, waymarked path, rather than the windfarm road, would have been better, at least for the walker. Maybe the windfarm road would be easier for wheelers due to narrowish gaps by the gates blocking vehicles from this route.

The only other part where wheelers might have difficulty was at a large stone beside a side gate, at the northern end of Griffin Forest (photo). There were no stiles or gates, or steps, except maybe at each end of the 100m of road verge east of Aberfeldy.

The route was accurately plotted throughout. On the ground there were signposts and waymarkers, but not every junction was signed so a careful eye had to be kept on the map. Within the windfarm this was particularly necessary as each turbine has its own access road.

Heading out from Aberfeldy the route uses the footway beside the A822. Walkers can divert off the pavement east of the cemetery, there is a fingerpost to Grandtully, indicating the Rob Roy Way and Tay River Way. This path was a bit overgrown, and uneven, and can be flooded when the level of the River Tay is high. One can gain the main road where there is a T junction of paths, and 100m along the wide road verge takes you to the start of the Griffin path network, and signs to Dunkeld should be followed. 

From here, 1½ miles east of Aberfeldy, the route is all off road till the very end. It climbs steadily uphill, and views open out. There may be occasional forestry vehicles, although I met none. Higher up the route loops to the west following the waymarked cycle route. It might be possible to make a short cut on a less distinct track, but at each end there was a small sign saying 'dead end', so I didn't risk the path being barred by fallen trees. (See comment below - explored a few days later)

The route passes close to Loch Kennard, and continues using forestry tracks in a southerly direction. At one point 3 trees had come down but it was easy enough to divert behind the roots (but would be impossible for wheelers - the alternative route, round the western side of Loch Kennard, is rather further). The track then descends towards Griffin windfarm. Here the signposted route to Dunkeld takes a track which avoids the majority of the wind turbines. However the Slowways route uses the parallel, and higher, windfarm track, which passes next to many turbines and therefore passes through a much more industrialised landscape. The track is also wider and harsher on the feet, and maintenance vehicles might be encountered. At the south/east end of the windfarm the lower route is only marked by 'path' being scratched on a sign. The route then crosses the Pitleoch Burn on a bridge, and skirts a further part of the windfarm.

The next mile is on a good track through the mature trees of Griffin Forest, I did not notice any 'fords' as depicted on the 1:25,000 base map. On exiting the forest, views open up again, and the route takes a farm track down to Ballinlick. The last bit of the route is on a quiet road into Trochry, although as there is very little in Trochry most Slowwayers would have to turn left and head 3 miles into Dunkeld.

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