Walking the Rob Roy Way

Arrive in Drymen for a relaxing evening at your hotel before starting your walk in the morning. Spend the night at the Braeside Guest house (or similar).

Today will see a gentle start to the Rob Roy Way as you leave the village and begin the journey to Aberfoyle, the path conveniently signed with blue markers. Beginning to climb with the Campsie Hills coming into view, you will then descend onto forestry ground, the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, which covers a huge part of the Trossachs. The trail leads on with views to Ben Lomond and Loch Katrine, described by Sir Walter Scott in his famous poem ‘The Lady of the Lake’. This is also the area where Rob Roy was born and was well known to him and his cattle stealing exploits! Passing the Corrie aqueduct which has supplied water to Glasgow since 1859, you will finish your day at Aberfoyle and your stay at the Forth Inn (or similar).

Leaving the town after a delicious breakfast, the next stage of the Rob Roy Way begins by climbing gently through the forests of the Trossachs, with incredible views of the Campsies and Ben Lomond. The path then opens up and follows the shores of the loch, a great place to enjoy your picnic lunch with more stunning views of Ben Ledi and Loch Venachar. Today’s walk ends when you reach the picturesque town of Callander, the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’ for your third nights rest. Be sure to visit the Rob Roy & Trossachs Visitor Centre as this is a great way to learn more via the ‘Rob Roy Story’. Your hotel is the Crags Hotel (or similar).

From Callander, you can take a short detour to see the Falls of Leny, impressive waterfalls reached through a beautiful oak forest. Returning to the Rob Roy Way, the trail takes you through woods alongside the shores of Loch Lubnaig, also known as ‘the loch with a bend’. This area is popular with fishermen, open water swimmers and kayakers, especially in the summer months, is a great place to stop for a rest and a drink. Continuing on, a well-defined cycle path will guide you towards the village of Strathyre, a pretty Victorian settlement which became important following the arrival of the railway. Crossing the River Balvag over the wooden suspension bridge, you will arrive in Strathyre and your hotel for the evening, the White Stag (or similar).

Leave Strathyre and the forest track which first takes you past a small church and then out to the open countryside. There are fantastic views overlooking Balquihhidder towards Ben More and Stob Binnen. Balquidder is the final resting place of Rob Roy and his family and is well worth a short detour. Joining the cycle path to Killin, you will soon reach the line of the old railway above Lochearnhead, perfect as a lunch stop before you continue through Glen Ogle, descending through the woods with stunning views of Tarmachan ridge and onto the Falls of Dochart to reach Killin, your destination for this evening, Breadalbane House(or similar).

From the picturesque Falls of Dochart, today’s section of the Rob Roy Way takes you along a private road, which climbs steeply and has some fantastic views through the trees to Loch Tay and the Tarmachan Ridge. The moorland is incredibly stunning but can be extremely open in adverse weather conditions, so as always, prepare for all weathers! Winding across the moor, you will descend with views of the loch and Newton Burn. Continue through Brae Farm to Ardeonaig and your hotel for tonight, The Old Mill House (or similar).

Picking up the Rob Roy Way at Ardtalnaig you will follow the track until you reach Acharn, before ascending past the village and the ‘Hermits Cave’, reputedly visited by Wordsworth and Robert Burns. Onwards to the awe-inspiring Falls of Acharn, take in this beautiful natural sight and the view towards Loch Tay. The route then takes a twisty path descending towards the impressive Taymouth Castle, a Grade A listed building built on the site of Balloch Castle, the ancient seat of the Campbell clan. Schiehallion, one of the area’s best loved mountains can also be seen. After a gentle climb you will reach the Falls of Moness and its roaring waters, before continuing onto Aberfeldy through the scenic birch woods, the ‘Birks of Aberfeldy’, as featured in the poem by Robert Burns. Your guesthouse for the night is Tigh n Eilean (or simliar).

All too soon you have reached the final day of your journey on the Rob Roy Way. The trail follows the River Tay east out of Aberfeldy, where you must stop for some whisky tasting at Dewars World of Whisky, before venturing on towards Grandtully. Following the river for some time, you will then bear onto the old railway line to Aberfeldy now closed and popular with cyclists. Climbing above a golf course and past a few houses, the route continues through woods and onto the moors, passing an ancient stone circle, and a final descent through the and your arrival into Pitlochry. A beautiful town with many attractions of its own including Blair Athol Distillery, Loch Tummel and Athol Palace Museum. Your last night will be enjoyed at the Poplars Guesthouse (or similar).

Depart your hotel after a hearty breakfast to begin your journey home, or stay an extra day to enjoy the delights of Pitlochry