Our next outing is on Sunday April 26th with both walks taking place in the Sma’ Glen, one of Perthshire’s many scenic glens.
To book on please contact Ronnie Taylor on 07773028647 or ronnietaylor1956@icloud.com
There are two different levels of walk available.
Club Walk: Sma’ Glen to Buchanty Grade C+ Dist: 7.5 miles Asc: +814 ft Desc: -948 ft. Leader: Cathie McGrillan
Cathie describes the walk as follows. We leave the coach at a layby on the A822 and walk 50 yards along the road to access General Wade’s Military Road. This road was constructed under the directions of Wade himself in 1730. Its purpose was to facilitate the quick movement of troops between Crieff and Aberfeldy after the 1715 uprising supporting The Auld Pretender. The Wade Road here is a broad, grassy track which climbs gently for around 15 minutes before levelling out. On a fair day we will have fine views over the River Almond as it heads towards Perth. To avoid disappointment, there are no almond groves in the Sma’ Glen and the “Almond” part of the name is a corruption of the gaelic “Abhainn” meaning a river. When the path levels out, we may find it muddy in this area if there has been recent rainfall. Continuing on, we descend to cross the A82, where we join a well established track adjacent to a golf course. The track continues with good views of the surrounding countryside. As we head towards Ardoch and Loch Meallbrodden, we meet an interesting feature in the form of a metal girder positioned to help us cross a burn using a fence for support. Beyond the Loch, we will have time to explore around some standing stones and stone circle. These are prehistoric monuments dating back to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age and in the Perthshire area typically date from as far back as around 3500 BC to 1500 BC. The final 2.5 miles takes us alongside Gorthy Wood on a cyclist and walker friendly minor road into Buchanty for our waiting coach. Time permitting and if weather conditions are appropriate a 100 yard detour to Buchanty Bridge where the spectacular Buchanty Spout can be viewed. The Spout is a splendid viewpoint to watch Atlantic salmon leaping although this mostly occurs later in the year.
High Walk Sma’ Glen and The Scurran Grade: B Dist: 9.03 miles Asc: 1501 ft. Desc: 1645 ft Leader: Mitch Kerr
The High walk begins from the same location as the Club walk and follows the Wade’s Road almost as far as Connachan Lodge where it turns back north on a good track to reach the summit of The Scurran at 544 mtrs (1785 ft.). After the summit, which should offer some fine views along the course of the River Almond, the route descends to continue as above, over the A822 and heads towards Loch Meallbrodden. Approximately a mile before the Loch, our route turns sharply north east on a more direct approach towards Buchanty. As the track approaches the Fendoch Burn we reach the location of The Roman Fort at Fendoch. The fort is situated at the head of Glen Almond opposite the mouth of the Sma’ Glen and occupies the summit of a small hillock.. It measured 613 feet (c.187m) east to west by 357 feet (c.109m) north-south over the inner ditch, enclosing an area of just over 5 acres (c.2.03ha). The site has been associated with the initial dispositions of governorSallustius Lucullus during the summer of 85AD as part of a strategic offensive along the glens into the Caledonian Highlands, a frontier system known by modern archaeologists as the Glen Blocking Forts.
Excavations conducted at Fendoch during the late-1930’s proved that this camp was deliberately dismantled and its timbers burnt very soon after construction had been completed. It is possible that a major strategic shift in Roman Military Policy caused this sudden dismantling with forces in United KIngdom being relocated to the Danube Frontier. Our walk concludes a 100 metres south of the Buchanty Spout as mentioned above.
If you have any questions regarding the walks or require more information, please contact Mark Bannerman our Route Co-ordinator on marban_007@outlook.com
Adequate food, hot and cold drinks, clothing and equipment are essential for your comfort and safety on both walks. Walking poles and gaiters are also recommended.
Morning Stop: Crieff Visitor Centre Social Stop: Crieff
Our coach leaves the John Wright’s Sports Centre car park at 8.30am sharp and returns around 6.30pm
We’re all looking forward to our 2026 May Weekend trip. The dates are Saturday to Monday, 2nd-4th May and our destination is the Cumbria Grand Hotel, Grange-over-Sands. Our exciting Itinerary has now been issued.
Booking on coach: Ronnie Taylor, 07773028647 / ronnietaylor1956@icloud.com to book a place on the coach or to add your email address to the mailing list or for any further information.
Thank you for your continuing support!