Accommodation in Ardtalnaig |
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Opened in the Autumn 2007, there is now a B&B providers directly on the route in the small community of Ardtalnaig.
This has been a problem for some walkers from the time when the Way was opened, this being the only point where accommodation was not available without a very long walk into Acharn or the requirement for transport back-up.
To quickly access the details simply click here and you will get to the B&B details.
Do however remember that there are also other options in terms of two night in the same location with pick up and drop off services or providers that will offer collection and drop off from Kenmore and Acharn.
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Amulree Accommodation in New Ownership |
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Since the end of May 2004 the Amulree Hotel directly on the line of the Rob Roy Way has passed into new ownership.
The owners are very keen to attract walkers and can provide B&B accommodation, meals at night and pack lunches for the walkers.
It is our understanding that in time and with the right demand, they will be opening bunkhouse type accommodation.
We think this will make the Amulree loop more attractive to walkers and open up what is regarded as one of the
highlight section of the walk.
For more detail access the appropriate Services Section.
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Route Waymarking
It continues to be our longer term hope that we can introduce Waymarking to
the route, however without funding support this was not immediately
possible. We have however through the kind donations from the Rob Roy Challenge managed to introduce some waymarking in the more challenging navigaational areas from Drymen to Aberfoyle and then to Strathyre. We hope with time to be able to provide waymarking on the entire route.
In the meantime, through
Walking
Support, we have available for downloading at a nominal charge
detailed instruction on directions based on O/S Grid References. This
will remove any concerns on what junctions to take especially in some
of the forest sections. To obtain an electronically sent copy of the instructions
click on the "BUY NOW" button below and notification of an electonic payment of a nominal £2.50 + VAT we will
return an attached word document with all the details to your e-mail address.
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Walking Route Calendars
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Through PHOTOmemories there are now 2004 calendars which feature a
range of views from the Rob Roy Way. This could be an ideal present for
a friend who has walked the route or for hanging in your office or
home.
Featured is a calendar with the view of Loch Tay taken from the route
at Ardeonaig. The calendar cna also be supplied with many other Rob Roy
Way images and these can be seen and ordered on line from the
PHOTOmemories
website.
The cost is £3.75 + postage.
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Rob Roy Way Greetings Cards
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PHOTOmemories also specialises in photographic cards, and framed prints has
producing a range specifically related to the Rob Roy Way. This
is a cheap and attractive way of sending your friends a greeting from
the walk or to encourage them to also come and walk the route.
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Cards can be purchased on-line directly from
PHOTOmemories
each with its envelope and sealed in a cellophane outer. The cost
is £1.50 subject to P+P and discounts dependent on quantities. This can
also be supplied with an internal "Seasons Greeting". The framed
photographs, and ideal gift, as sold for £6.50 + postage.
Alternatively you can
e-mail PHOTOmemories and they will be able to forward you
fuller details.
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International Recognition of the Way
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We know that Bill & Nedra Orme of Sydney Australia are not the
first international walkers on the Rob Roy Way but we suspect they may
be the first from the southern hemisphere. We also think that they will
be the most internationally accomplished walkers to have identified
a desire to walk two sections of the Way on their journey through
Britain.
(Bill & Nedra above Glen Quaich with Schiehallion in the background)
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The contact started earlier in the year when e-mail contact was made
between Bill and John Henderson of I-Net Support. Bill had seen this
website and felt that Amulree to Pitlochry via Aberfeldy would be an
appropriate route as they headed for John O'Groats.
Late in April the Ormes and John Henderson and his family meet as Bill
& Nedra passed into Scotland using a part of the
St Cuthbert's Way and
then walking a section of the new
Sir Walter Scott Way.
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(Striding down the Urlar Burn towards Aberfeldy) |
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It was arrranged that we would walk together again on the Rob
Roy Way and this took place on the 11th May. The walk was along Glen
Quaich, then down the Urlar Burn and into the Birk of Aberfeldy.
Bill & Nedra succeeded over the next few weeks to reach John
O'Groats, and we congratulate them on this further walking achievement.
(Bill & Nedra at the Fall of Moness)
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CHAS Charity Walk
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The Children's Hospice Association Scotland,
Walking Support, and Morrison Bowmore (Rob Roy Whisky) worked together
to run a charity fundraiser for the CHAS hospice project at Balloch.
Starting from Pitlochry and walking west to Drymen it concluded on
Saturday 26th April 2003.
The core group of 10 walkers was augmented to over 20 walkers on the
last day, this support coming from employees of Jenners at the new Loch
Lomond Shores complex.
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The sum raised was £2600 with a further sum raise by the Jenner's one
day walkers. The goodwill and support for this project was great and
if you
want to view more details just click
here.
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The Hebridean Samaritans
A group of ten from the Hebridean Walking Club successfully
undertook the Rob Roy Way early in April and seem to have had a great
time. They were also successful in raising over £1000 for the local
Samaritains.
The feedback received on the walk was: "Really enjoyable walk,
splendid views across the highlands, lovely villages and very
hospitable B&B's and an excellent bag carrying service"
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Rob Roy Way Video
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A.J.McKay Visual Production has worked with Walking Support in the
development of a video for the walk. This is full of audio and visual
images of the route and its alternative.
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This video can be ordered on-line using the form below or by contacting
A J McKay Visual Production by post, telephone or e-mail.
19 Halliden Road, Kelso, Scotland. TD5 7LU
+44 (0)1573 223256
ajmckay@btinternet.com
The boxed video costs £13.50 for 100 minutes of beautiful route
scenery and commentary. Postage and packaging will be additional.
Although orders can be received on-line the product payment will
be by cheque made payable to A J McKay Visual Production and posted to
the business address above.
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Completion Certificates.
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The Completion Certificate scheme has been operational some the Spring of 2003, initially under the sponsorship of Rob Roy Whisky. Since September 2006 the sponsorship has transferred to Walking Support, a planning booking and guiding business for long distant walkers. Walkers who complete
the Rob Roy Way and have had their log sheet signed can obtain a handsome Completion Certificate and Walking Support is offering a 10% fee reduction on future planning and booking services on a range of long distant walking routes. This
is available to those doing the walk from end to end, either the
79 or 92 mile route, in either direction, provided they have got their walking log correctly
signed.
This is a Certificate that anyone would be proud to frame and hang
on the wall. (21x29.5cm.)
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To qualify all that is needed is for the walker to visit a few locations
on the route to get the log sheet signed. At the end of the walk complete the
log on the front sheet and post it to
I-Net Support, 2 Wembley Terrace, Melrose. TD6 9QR for us to process. In due course the
certificate will be sent free of any postal charge to your home address.
The locations where the log can be signed are as follows:
- Drymen - Its Great Outdoors, 1 Stirling Road
or
Drymen - Visitor Information Centre, The Square
- Aberfoyle - Trossachs Discovery Centre, Main Street
or
Callander - Rob Roy & Trossachs Visitor Centre, Ancaster Square
- Balquhidder - Rob Roy Bar, Kings House Hotel
or
Killin - Breadalbane Folklore Centre, Falls of Dochart
- Aberfeldy - Visitor Information Centre, The Square
- Pitlochry - Robertson's of Pitlochry, 46 Atholl Road
or
Pitlochry - Visitor Information Centre, 22 Atholl Road
Stocks of the blank logs are available from the route starting points:
- Its Great Outdoors, 1 Stirling Road, Drymen
- Visitor Information Centre, The Square, Drymen
- Robertson's of Pitlochry, 46 Atholl Road, Pitlochry
- Visitor Information Centre, 22 Atholl Road, Pitlochry
Or to download a blank click here. This is a PDF file so if you do not have a PDF reader click on the icon below to obtain a free Adobe Reader.
One further option is available for walkers who are using the services of Bike & Hike of Callander
for the transfer of their baggage along the Way. For their clients they will just need to opt into the
certificate scheme and on the collection of their baggage on the final day they will receive the
certificate.
If walkers have any other questions on the certificate scheme
e-mailing and detail
the nature of your enquiry.
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Bag Carrying on the Rob Roy Way
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Since May 2005 we are able to only advertise and recommend one Baggage Transfer company that can service the complete
length of the route. The companies that have previous been shown on this website have either stopped supporting the route or
have chosen to advertise separately from this the Official Website.
Although this current situation does not offer choice to the walker we know the current operator listed on our directory and know the
owner to be a very committed outdoor enthusiast and supporter of the Rob Roy Way. Their advertised costs are also extremely
competitive for this form of service and we can recommend their use to any interested walker. Their contact details can be found in
the approriate
"services" directory.
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Sponsorship Support
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It has been a great boost to the development of the walk that there is
a sponsor supporting the promotion of the Way in the form of a
colourful and informative leaflet. This support now includes help with
the Completion Certificates and forthcoming walkers' competitions.
The sponsor is Rob Roy Whisky, this being a blended whisky created,
bottles and
distributed by Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd.
To learn more about this whisky and the others produced by Morrison
Bowmore click on the Whisky Bottle Image.
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Inaugural Walk - 18th to 24th May 2002.
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This has now been undertaken and we welcomed walkers on parts of the
route from Canada, Somerset to more local Scottish participants.
For fuller details about the event click
here
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The Official Guide and Map
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The Official Guide second edition was launched in November 2006. This edition has been enhanced from the first edition and developed to meet the large demand for the guide and has additionally addressed all of the edition 1 reader's comments as it related to maps and content.
Edition 2 still contains all the features of Edition 1, being printed on waterproof paper and includes
step-by-step description of the route supported by a detailed dropdown
map.
It also provides background on history, heritage and wildlife and
includes existing and new colour photographs.
Order it from the website www.rucsacs.com or buy from shops or Tourist
Information Centres along the Way.
The book was first published
in 2002 by Rucksack Readers.
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Links to other long distance walks.
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We have now set this up as a separate page. Click here to access.
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Wind Farm - Calliachar
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The Calliachar wind farm development has been featured on this website over a number of years. This development impacts on the Amulree loop of the Rob Roy Way and would have a visual effect on the final section of the day from Ardtalnaig to Amulree and for much more extensive times on the Amulree to Aberfeldy walk.
In 2004 the application was for 46 turbines and at that time, based on the views received from walkers to a Walking Support Wind Turbine Survey, we made representations against parts of the application. In particular we objected to the turbines that were to be located close to the Urlar Burn.
March 2005 saw the developer revising the application and reducing the area over which the turbines would be built and the number reduced from 46 to 27. The turbines that had previously been close to the Rob Roy Way were removed and the visual impact from the walk significantly diminished. Based on the findings from the Walking Support Windfarm Survey we had to conclude that although walkers might well prefer there to be no windfarm turbines anywhere to be seen from a walking route the distance of the Calliachar turbines would not stop walkers from coming to the route or result in them advising other walkers not to use this part of the Way. Our original objection was therefore no longer valid and withdrawn.
Now that the time has reached August 2006 the application process is entering its Public Local Inquiry phase. We as the webmasters and key originators of the Rob Roy Way are still being approached by some of the local action groups that are challenging the application and its impact on the local economy and environment. A principal group is the Amulree & Strathbraan Windfarm Action Group. They are concerned not only with the Calliachar development but two others in the close proximity. We can understand and privately support a lot of their objections but feel we cannot as guardians of the Rob Roy Way object on such a wide set of reasons. We would not however discourage individuals from taking part in the process and suggest that you link to the website www.aswag.org.uk for more details on this windfarm application. We would also still like to encourage walkers to access Walking Support’s windfarm survey, as the proliferation of these windfarm sites is certainly going to continue and even if this one does not in your eyes present a problem, the next one might.
In conclusion we as webmasters for the Rob Roy Way still have an active objection to the revised planned proposal so long as the boundary of the Development Area is allowed to remain to the west of the pylon line. We also have an ongoing concern over the piece meal manner in which the applications arise and the uncertainly about the Scottish Policy on windfarms and their visual impact in areas of tourism. This wider interest has implications on several other routes, an example being the Sir Walter Scott Way where the turbines being planned are directly on the path. In this example we have made representation to the Planning Authorities on behalf of the walkers. To few this planned scheme link to our website SWSW comments.
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Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge
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The Rob Roy Way management group are pleased to promote the forthcoming The Rob Roy Challenge. This is taking place on the 24th June and is made possible with the support of Martin Currie (Investment Managers).
This is a combined walking and cycling challenge along three quarters of the Way and it will be raising funds for three deserving charities.
Visit our page dedicated to this charity event by clicking here or link directly to the dedicated Martin Currie Rob Roy Challenge website.
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This section of the website will be developed with contributions from
site visitors, walkers, and advertisers. We are interested in knowing
about additional history or interest along the route. In addition
we are keen to hear of groups walking on the Way, particularly charity
walks. Let us have your comments so that we can share them with others.
If you have any news that you would like to have on this website them
please submit this to the webmaster using the
e-mail facility, and please
put "Rob Roy Way News" in the subject line.
As material arrives we will place this at the start of the page.
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I-Net Support Last update - July 2008
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