Criauc three

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This route connects two country towns each with their own fascinating history. Crieff was once the home of Scotland's largest cattle market with a hub of drove roads leading here. Later it became a resort town and still has its hydropathic hotel. Scotland's oldest malt whisky distillery, Glenturret, is also located here. Auchterarder built its wealth on the handloom weaving industry.For much of its length the route follows the line of the old Crieff Junction Railway that connected Crieff to Gleneagles and closed in 1964.

The Slowway drops steeply out of Crieff down to cross the river Earn which it then follows for a few miles. In winter the path is easy to follow except in times of heavy rain and flooding. Plenty of opportunities to spot herons and ducks, maybe even a beaver. There is also some interesting history and art panels along the path that tells the story of the river and its inhabitants.

The detour to Muthill is tedious, almost all on road with no pavement, and is only to be recommended for a visit to the historic old church or to resupply at the small shop attached to the petrol station on the main road. After rejoining the line of the old railway, the route continues southwards passing a shop and cafe at Farmton that offers a welcome break and a chance to savour this farming landscape.

On leaving the railway near Auchterarder, there is a short section of road walking on a country road, which though there is not much traffic, it does drive fast. The route then turns across a field, and joins a path to skirt the northern outskirts of Auchterarder before entering the town centre along Castleton road.

Bus connections to both ends from Perth. Crieff and Auchterarder have a good selection of shops and cafés.

I have given this route 4 stars as it is an interesting route that traverses the Perthshire farmland typical of this area, it has the opportunity to resupply en route and is reasonable direct. The one star reduction is for the long road section going out and back to Muthill.

I walked this route, from Auchterarder to Crieff, on a dry January day. It is a good route, predominantly along a former railway line. The route follows an old railway line which is overgrown in parts, particularly northwest of Strageath Mill, just south of the river Earn. The riverside stage was very pleasant, but parts of it may be subject to flooding after very heavy rainfall and snowmelt, also I am given to understand that during the summer months it gets very overgrown with Himalayan balsam, and sometimes there is livestock in the fields near the river which may be a problem if the walker has a dog with them. The route was boggy in parts but not too bad given the month of the year. Although the roads have a 40mph speed limit on them, being 'Walking and Cycling Friendly' roads, traffic was common, and travelling fast, along the portion of road bypassing Machany, and between Caerlaverock and Muthill.

The route uses country lanes, supposedly with a 40 mph speed limit on them, to make a detour from the old railway line into Muthill. Unfortunately the former railway line does not provide a suitable alternative walking route so there is no easy short cut avoiding Muthill. The village shop in Muthill has closed, but provisions are available at Sweeneys garage to the south, on Willoughby Street, 200m off route. The Coorie Inn is closed Monday and Tuesdays, but is open at lunchtime (booking advised) and during the afternoon for drinks). Buses run between Muthill and Crieff.

My photos are in order from Auchterarder to Crieff. My second photo shows the point where, if you are heading southwards towards Auchterarder one can leave the road at East Hill and take to trodden paths. My fourth photo shows a stile into a field. The route actually goes through the pedestrian gate directly along the old railway (my friend is on the correct route here). My 12th photo shows my friend struggling along a route full of brambles, just south of the river Earn, west of Strageath Mill. It was much easier to walk on the other side of the fence in the field at this point.

Trees in Sallyardoch wood have been partially cleared, the path bypasses fallen trunks which have been mainly cut away. A couple have to be stepped over, and one limbo dance was necessary. Continuing along the road would be quicker but less scenic, and harder on the feet.

I have deducted a star due to the fact that the route is overgrown in places, and the amount of walking on roads.

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