The route leaves Pitlochry railway station and heads down to the river Tummel, a paradise for salmon fishers. Take this and cross a field to arrive on woodland tracks through the forest that lead you south. At the time of walking this route, storm Eowyn had just passed by and there were some trees down at the start of the woodland walk. The path then heads out onto more open hill farm land and passes three lochs on its way to the Cally car park. From Mill Dam the path heads gently down hill and heads back into woodland and forest....

Johanna B

There are trees down over the northern end of the Atholl Estate bike route in Killiechangie Forest; as this is a promoted route on the estate I would assume that the trees will be cleared in the near future. There is also a fallen tree north of Raor Lodge, this is across a well used farm track so should be cleared soon. Another field gate takes the route into the forest. The trees have been blown down here, for about 50m, but a vague route (a bit boggy) will take you round and through the fallen trees to rejoin the track which is accurately drawn on the OS base map. If you don't fancy the fallen trees you can use another track up into the forest south of Moulinearn, (Pitldun One). The track descends gently to a small car park then on to Logierait on a quiet road....

F Berry

This route connects Pitlochry, a picturesque Victorian-developed tourist town, and Dunkeld, the ancient frontier town and former capital of the Scottish church. It mostly follows quiet country roads, forest and farm tracks and a national cycle route along the A9. The section along the A9 is very noisy with the constant stream of traffic heading north and south and, at times is less than a metre away from this major trunk road with no crash barrier separating the route from the path. The route then turns south on quiet roads. A little further on, after walking under the A9 road bridge, the route passes the Dunfallandy Stone, one of the finest surviving Pictish cross-slabs that was carved in AD600. The route then follows the A827 on a pavement towards Ballinluig, crossing over the A9 trunk road. Take care crossing this road just after the bridge to reach the cycle path that leads down to follow the A9 south. At Dowally, the route passes the cute church of St Anne built in 1818 and finally turns away from the A9 to climb on an ancient path up out of the valley bottom....

Johanna B

The route would not be suitable for wheelers due to the narrow gaps beside the barriers in Killiechangie Forest, and the rough tracks through the forest north of Dunkeld. I walked this route, from Pitlochry to Dunkeld, on a cloudy January day. From Pitlochry railway station the route heads out of Pitlochry along paths and crosses the river on the Port na Craig pedestrian bridge. Views open up, before the route heads up into Killiechangie Forest. The route passes an old curling pond before descending to a small car park, then using a lane down to Logierait. At Dowally the route climbs 70m on an old walled track, then turns right (southwards)....

F Berry

From Aberfeldy a footway heads eastwards beside the A827, but a trodden path beside the river can be taken as a pleasant alternative. The footway ends shortly before the route heads south east up a track signposted 'Griffin Forest Paths, Dunkeld 15', but there is a trodden path on the grass verge. North of Loch Kennard the route takes to a path signed as 'Dead End' (from both ends), but is perfectly feasible, although there is a small stream crossing, and the route might be boggy during winter months. From here there are various paths leading to the Hermitage car park, the Slowways route takes the closest path to the river, passing Ossian's Hall, and is very pleasant....

F Berry

The path has a steep climb as it travels south under Birnam Hill from there is follows estate tracks to reach the B867. On entering Bankfoot the path turn right down a hill to enter the village where there is a shop, inn and a bus service to Birnam or Perth. From here the path more or less follows the River Tay south to Perth. Just south of Luncarty there is a footbridge missing and a short path diversion away from the river The new Tay crossing (Destiny Bridge) was being built at the time of walking and so there were some path diversions in place. The final part of the route into Perth from the river Almond is on tarmac and is hard on tired feet....

Johanna B

I walked this course on 26/06/2024, from Perth to Dunkeld, and found the route generally easy to follow. As you head north out of Perth towards the new Cross Tay Link Road and Destiny Bridge construction, there are a few well-signposted diversions along quiet roads and paths. These diversions shortened the walk slightly, taking a more direct route along Fairview road, passing Luncarty Memorial Hall, and rejoining the mapped route just outside Luncarty Primary School. Once across the A9, there is a long stretch of farm tracks, passing two farms and then a short walk along a minor road. Despite only light rain in the days leading up to and during the walk, I doubt this path would be passable in worse weather without waterproof boots....

Ceilidh

From Dunkeld the route crosses the River Tay on Telford's bridge then dives down steep steps (sign indicates Path to Birnam Oak) see photo. Leaving the top end of Station Road the route passes beneath the railway and A9 before turning south to use the Birnam Hill Path on the wooded lower slopes of Birnam Hill. The route leaves the Birnam Hill path at an unmarked trodden route to descend slightly then gradually climb to a junction of forest tracks. From Luncarty the route follows the western bank of the River Tay, mostly on trodden paths, until the River Almond is crossed (underpasses beneath the A9 and railway line)....

F Berry

I walked both routes, and a number of other Slowways routes, on a few excursions 2021-22, using buses and creating loops - hence the photos in the 'overview' and for Dunper1 and Dunper2 are taken in different seasons....

F Berry

It might just about be suitable for robust off road wheelers, providing the steep steps at Dunkeld Bridge were avoided. A pleasant path beside the rivers, and some steep steps on the east side of the old road bridge takes the route up to the A923. Heading from Dunkeld to Trochry, the start of the route at the steps could easily be missed – see photo....

F Berry