Self Guided - Rob Roy Way

On the latter stage of the route from Milngavie to Drymen you will be walking along a country road. Shortly after leaving this road you will arrive at the A811 road (you will have walked through a field and crossed a stile). At this point make your way into Drymen village (signposted). With the village square in front of you turn right and pass the Clachan Inn which will now be on your left. Continue a short distance up hill and you will see the red sandstone of Ashbank on your left hand side.

Ashbank is a family run establishment in the heart of the conservation village of Drymen and was once the home of the famous Olympian Eric Liddell whose story was depicted in the Oscar winning film Chariots of Fire. Please note that Ashbank is a non smoking establishment. Laundry is on offer and drying facilities. Guests are welcome any time after 1600 hrs but if you arrive before this then please give Tommy a call since you may be able to check in early (within reason of course). Please could Tommy on 01360 660049 or then 07769 938259. There is a good choice of establishments in the village for an evening meal and advance booking is essential. Please note that if packed lunches are required then you can order upon arrival but advance notice would be very much appreciated. Wifi available. Please have a wee look at Ashbank’s video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O57Le7b132U

Drymen is a small village in the west of Scotland forming the gateway to East Loch Lomond. In the 1700s Drymen found itself on the route of the military road from Stirling to Dumbarton. The Clachan Inn, on a corner of The Square dates back to this period and carries signs proclaiming that it was first licensed in 1734. The area – steeped in history – is Clan Buchanan country. Rob Roy McGregor was a ‘local’ and this is the area in which he carried out his famous (or infamous) exploits against the Duke of Montrose.

The Rob Roy Way will lead you along Manse Road and on to the main street of Aberfoyle. Turn right at the T-junction and walk along the main street until you arrive at the Tourist Information clearly signposted on the left hand side in the village centre. The bus stop at the Tourist Information is your pick up point by Arlene’s Taxis at 1700 hrs who will transfer you for the ten minute drive to the Black Bull for your overnight stay. Everything has been advance booked and paid on your behalf but for your information/in the event of an emergency Arlene can be contacted on 07551 337510. At 0900 hrs on the morning of your walk to Callander you will be uplifted from the Black Bull and transferred back to Aberfoyle.

The Black Bull is situated in Gartmore which is a ten minute drive from the stage end of Aberfoyle. Steeped in history this lovely old Drovers Inn is waiting to give you a warm welcome. Please note that the Inn operates a non-smoking policy. Drying and laundry facilities are not on offer (although wet gear can be dried on radiators in the rooms). Guests will be welcomed anytime from 1700 hrs and no earlier since this community owned establishment does not open until 1700 hrs on a Tuesday. Packed lunches can be provided, please order upon arrival. An evening meal is on offer at the Black Bull and advance booking is essential. Wifi available.

A picturesque village in the district of Stirling, situated on the River Forth which rises in nearby Loch Ard and flows eastwards to the sea. The river soon reaches the vast Forth Valley and Stirling where it meanders and becomes tidal before transforming into the magnificent Firth of Forth and the North Sea. In 1885 the Duke of Montrose constructed a road over the eastern shoulder of Craigmore Hill above Aberfoyle to join the older road at the entrance of the Trossachs pass. Famously, the First Duke of Montrose was a benefactor of Rob Roy MacGregor and in 1711advanced him a loan of 1000 pounds. The money was stolen by MacGregor’s head drover and consequently,Montrose seized Rob Roy’s lands and evicted his family. This resulted in Rob Roy unleashing a campaign of revenge against the Duke which lasted for many years. In 1810 Sir Walter Scott published ‘Lady of the Lake’ and asa result.

The Rob Roy Way leads down on to the main street of Callander (down Bridge Street and past the Bridgend House Hotel). When you reach the main street, i.e. A84, turn left and walk along the main street until you reach a turning to the right for Station Road. Turn right and walk up Station Road which leads on to Ancaster Road. Proceed up Ancaster Road, over a bridge and around a bend. Then simply continue along Ancaster Road until you reach Knowe Guest House clearly signposted on the left hand side of the road (steep driveway up to the left).

The Knowe is a lovely guest house built at the beginning of the twentieth Century and still retaining many original Victorian and Edwardian features. Please note that there is a non-smoking policy throughout. A laundry service is on offer as follows. The first kg is £10.00 and then every next kg is £3.00 up to 9 kgs. If over 9kg, pricing starts again at 1st kg £10.00 thereafter £3.00 per kg. This is a wash and dry service with no ironing. Drying facilities for wet walkers jackets etc are available. Guests will be welcomed any time between 1500 hrs & 1800 hrs and please give the Knowe a call if you are going to be later than 1800 hrs (as we specify in our back page instructions in any case). There is a wide choice of establishments in the village for an evening meal all within easy walking distance (advance booking highly recommended). Packed lunches are not on offer since there are so many options available locally. Wifi available.

(Gaelic: Calasraid) is a small town in Stirlingshire and situated on the River Teith. The town serves as the eastern gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the first National Park in Scotland. Due to its location itis often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands.’ The former St. Kessog’s Church is now the Tourist InformationCentre. Saint Kessog was an Irish missionary of the sixth century. Dominating the town to the north are theCallander Crags, a visible part of the Highland Boundary Fault, rising to 343 metres at the summit cairn. The nearby hill to the north-west of Callander is Ben Ledi (879 metres). Callander achieved prominence during the 1960s as the fictional town of ‘Tannochbrae’ in the original BBC television series Dr. Finlay’s Casebook.

The Way will lead you over the bridge and on to the main road which runs through the village of Strathyre. Turn left and walk along the road for a short distance until you arrive at Rosebank House clearly signposted on the right hand side.

This b&b is ideally situated in the village centre and you will receive a warm and friendly welcome from hosts Sharon & Davide. Please note that Rosebank is a non-smoking establishment. Drying facilities are available and a laundry service is on offer (costs £5.00/load). Guests will be welcomed any time between 1500 hrs & 2000 hrs. Since Davide is an ex trained Italian Chef, reports from previous clients have been wonderful and local options are very limited so we have taken the liberty of booking you an evening meal with Rosebank (costs £24.00 per person, served at 1900 hrs and please pay Rosebank direct). Please note that Rosebank is not licensed so it will be a case of bring your own bottle (please ensure it is adequately packed in your luggage). Packed lunches are on offer, please order upon arrival. Wifi available.

Strathyre (Gaelic: Srath Eadhair) is a village in Stirlingshire and is within the bounds of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. The district of Strathyre extends from east of Balquhidder following the River Balvaig which flows out of Loch Voil almost due south to Loch Lubnaig. The Strath (translation: broad mountain valley) was the route of the former Callander and Oban Railway and an 18th century military road. The village of Strathyre is largely a Victorian creation, having grown up with the arrival of the railway in the 1870s and the establishment of Strathyre railway station. The resident population recorded by the United Kingdom Census 2001 was around 100. Strathyre has a small primary school with 40 pupils on the roll, drawn from a catchment area that includes Balquhidder. Gaelic is taught in the infant school.

The Way takes you down on to the main road which runs through Killin (A827). Turn right when you reach this road and walk past the Falls of Dochart and instead of continuing on the Way turn left over Dochart Bridge. Continue on Main Street (A827) through the village for 350 yards/320 metres and The Courie Inn is on your left hand side clearly signposted.

Note: Directions for the next day are as follows. In the afternoon Kingshouse Travel will collect you from Ardtalnaig and transfer you to The Courie Inn for your second overnight stay. The preferred pick up time by Kingshouse Travel is usually 1600 hrs so it is suggested that you aim to reach Ardtalnaig by then. You should have a reasonable indication of your walking speed by then and be able to plan accordingly. For your information, Kingshouse Travel can be contacted on 01877 384768. Mobile Numbers, in the event of an emergency, are Graeme (07876 375982) and George (07733 895903). The following morning you will be uplifted by Kingshouse Travel from The Courie Inn at 0930 hrs for your return journey back to Ardtalnaig.

The Courie Inn is ideally situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Killin close to all amenities and is noted as one of the youngest hotels in Killin. Please note that there is a non-smoking policy throughout. Drying and laundry facilities are not available. Guests will be welcomed any time after 1500 hrs.There is a limited choice of establishments in the village for an evening meal including the hotel and advance booking is essential whether it be for the Courie Inn or locally. Packed lunches are available but advance notification is required (at least 24 hrs notice please). Wifi available.

Killin (Cill Fhinn ‘the White, or Fair, Church’ in Gaelic) is at the western end of Loch Tay. The scenic Falls of Dochart, at the west end of the village are formed by the meeting of the rivers Dochart and Lochay. The falls are crossed by a narrow stone bridge. The MacNab Clan were once dominant here and their ancient burial ground is on Inchbuie in the River Dochart, just below the falls. In 1767 the minister of Killin, James Stuart, published the first New Testament in Scottish Gaelic. The Breadalbane Folklore Centre in the Victorian former village mill displays the ‘healing stones’ of Saint Fillan (probably two 8th century monks). The nearby old copper mine at Tomnadashan is sometimes identified as the haunt of the Rabbit of Caerbannog of ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ fame.

The Way takes you down on to the main road which runs through Killin (A827). Turn right when you reach this road and walk past the Falls of Dochart and instead of continuing on the Way turn left over Dochart Bridge. Continue on Main Street (A827) through the village for 350 yards/320 metres and The Courie Inn is on your left hand side clearly signposted.

Note: Directions for today are as follows. This afternoon, Kingshouse Travel will collect you from Ardtalnaig and transfer you back to The Courie Inn for your second overnight stay. The preferred pick up time by Kingshouse Travel is usually 1600 hrs so it is suggested that you aim to reach Ardtalnaig by this time. You should have a reasonable indication of your walking speed by then and be able to plan accordingly. For your information, Kingshouse Travel can be contacted on 01877 384768. Mobile Numbers, in the event of an emergency, are Graeme (07876 375982) and George (07733 895903). The following morning you will be uplifted by Kingshouse Travel from The Courie Inn at 0930 hrs for your return journey back to Ardtalnaig.

The Courie Inn is ideally situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Killin close to all amenities and is noted as one of the youngest hotels in Killin. Please note that there is a non-smoking policy throughout. Drying and laundry facilities are not available. Guests will be welcomed any time after 1500 hrs.There is a limited choice of establishments in the village for an evening meal including the hotel and advance booking is essential whether it be for the Courie Inn or locally. Packed lunches are available but advance notification is required (at least 24 hrs notice please). Wifi available.

The Way will lead you downhill (Crieff Road) and on to the main street of Aberfeldy. At the T- junction turn right and walk towards the central square. Continue along the main road (Dunkeld Street) and you will pass a garage on the right hand side. You will then reach a crossroads and the Townhouse is situated on the left hand side of the road.

Built originally in the late 1890s The Townhouse is ideally situated within easy walking distance of all amenities.  Please note that there is a non-smoking policy throughout.  Drying and laundry facilities are not on offer but note that there is a laundrette locally (the Aberfeldy Steamie!). Guests will be welcomed any time after 1500 hrs. There is a wide choice of establishments in Aberfeldy for an evening meal and advance is highly recommended. Packed lunches are available with at least 24 hours’ notice. Wifi available.

Aberfeldy (Gaelic: Obar Pheallaidh) is a small market town located in Highland Perthshire with a population of 2000.The Falls of Moness are featured in a well-known poem by Robert Burns ‘The Birks of Aberfeldy.’ The town is known for ‘Wade’s Bridge’ built in 1733 and designed by architect William Adam, father of the more famous Robert Adam.General Wade, and later Major Caulfield was tasked with building roads and bridges across the Highlands to allowthe suppression of the Jacobites following the rebellions of 1715 and 1745, the latter led by Bonnie Prince Charlie.Wade & Caulfield built some 1200 miles of road and 700 bridges between 1725 and 1767 and in doing so transformed the Highlands. General Wade considered this bridge to be his greatest accomplishment. Aberfeldy is also mentioned in the traditional Loch Tay Boat Song and the River Tay is a famous Salmon fishing river. Aberfeldy has a Distillery, a memorial to the Black Watch and in 2002 the town was granted Fairtrade status.

From the end of the Rob Roy Way in Pitlochry, head west along Atholl Road toward the River Tummel. Cross the pedestrian bridge by the Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder. Continue along the path to Port-na-Craig Road, then turn left. After about 0.3 miles, you’ll reach the A827; turn right and walk carefully along the road for about 0.5 miles. Fonab Castle will be on your left, nestled among trees with views over Loch Faskally. The entire walk takes roughly 20–25 minutes and is mostly flat with scenic surroundings.

Fonab Castle is a luxurious five-star hotel nestled in the heart of Pitlochry, blending historic charm with contemporary comfort. Please note that the property operates a non-smoking policy throughout. A full concierge service is available along with access to a fine dining restaurant, casual brasserie, and a relaxing spa and wellness centre. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are offered on request. Guests are welcomed for check-in between 1500 hrs & 1800 hrs—please contact Fonab Castle directly if arrival is expected later than 1800 hrs. While packed lunches are not provided, the on-site dining options and numerous local eateries offer ample choice (advance booking is strongly advised). Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the hotel.

Pitlochry Baile Chloichridh or Baile Chloichrigh in Gaelic, is a burgh in the council area of Perth and Kinross inScotland, lying on the River Tummel. Pitlochry dates largely from Victorian times, although the areas known as Moulin and Port-na-Craig are much older. History records that Moulin Kirk was granted by the Earl of Atholl toDunfermline Abbey in 1180 and Moulin became a burgh of barony in 1511. Port-na-Craig was the site of the original ferry over the River Tummel which operated until the suspension footbridge was built in 1913. The building between these two separate communities followed the construction of the military road north in the 18th century which followed the line of the present main street. After the railway station was built in 1863, Pitlochry became a favoured destination for tourists. In 1947 Pitlochry became a burgh. That year also saw the beginning of the construction of a dam as part of the Tummel hydro-electric power scheme. The dam and its fish ladder are a popular tourist attraction today.