Criauc four

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Criauc here.

I have walked the whole of this route over a couple of January days. It is direct, passes through interesting and scenic countryside, and is reasonable underfoot (a bit muddy in places). It uses core paths, some of which follow the line of a former railway line, and minor roads, which are quiet, except for two short stretches on the road linking Muthill and Auchterarder. My photographs display in order from Auchterarder to Crieff.

The route is correctly mapped. It would not be suitable for wheelers due to muddy and narrow paths and kissing gates. There are no shops en route although a small cafe at Farmton may be open. Some of the paths may be overgrown in the summer, and there may be stock in the fields at the northern end of the route. Buses to Perth and Stirling are available in Crieff and Auchterarder.

This is an excellent route, which avoids most of the busy road which Criauc 3 uses in order to pass through Muthill. However I would like to check it out in summer to see how overgrown the river Earn section becomes.

This is route connects Crieff and Auchterarder and is the most direct of the four options that I have followed.

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. It may be more overgrown in summer as we saw evidence of Himalayan balsam adjacent to the path. There are 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 path leaves the river on the now closed railway that once connected Crieff to the mainline at Gleneagles. This easy walking, but don't enjoy it for too long as you need to keep an eye out for a footpath sign just after a bridge that says 'To the road'. The Slowway leaves the railway here and, after crossing the corner of a field heads along a country road for a couple of kilometres. (It is possible to stay on the railway here, passing Strageath Hall and crossing the country lane but a barb wire fence needs to be climbed near Caerlaverock farm and so this route is not currently to be recommended.)

Turning right at Caerlaverock wood, you can rejoin the railway and follow it to Drumness. Here you need to briefly leave the railway again to walk along the road to Farmton. The traffic here can drive quite fast so take care. The reward is the Farmton Hut, a café and farm shop where you can get refreshments for your onward journey.

You are now on the railway for several kilometres. A pleasant path with dripping mosses, pheasants a plenty and beaver knawed trees to spot. Easy walking in winter, though sections would have taller vegetation in high summer.

Just before East hill there is a short section of the Slow way on the a road with fast moving vehicles. There are verges to step on to. Turn into the field at the first available gate and follow the path up to a copse of trees and then across the field to join the oak walk. This can be a little muddy in winter as is used a lot by dog walkers.

From here the path skirts the northern outskirts of Auchterarder on a former farm track and then enters the centre of the town along Castleton Road.

Both Crieff and Auchterarder have a reasonable selection of shops, accommodation, restaurants and cafés. They are also both on bus routes that lead to both Stirling and Perth, making a round trip easily possible, even on a winter day.

Unfortunately, much of this Slow way is not currently suitable for wheelers as there are ditches, kissing gates, stiles and narrow paths to negotiate.

I have given this route five stars as it is enjoyable to walk, it reasonably easy to follow, connects at both ends to public transport and is, currently, the most direct walking route between Crieff and Auchterarder.

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