PLANNING INFORMATION

This section of the website provides information on a host of useful data so that you can plan your walk in the full knowledge of :-

walking distances		maps
walking surfaces		walking terrain
grid reference directions		area weather
route gradients		communications
accommodation locations		refreshments
transport options		emergency precautions

We recommend that you spend a little time looking at this while planning your walk on the Rob Roy Way so that you select the walking option that best suits your requirements and you have the necessary information to make the walk a straightforward success.

Walking Distances

This section details distances on the main route alternatives, the first option being the more direct route from Ardtalnaig to Aberfeldy, the second taking in Glen Almond Amulree and Glen Quaich.

Walking Surfaces

It has been recognised that there are several sections of the Way that travel along quiet single track roads or on metalled tracks. This can be hard on the feet especially if walking in boots. It has been our intention to work over the years to see where route alterations might be made to break up some of these sections with softer terrain. We have been successful in certain sections and we continue to address the others.
We are therefore responding to the comments of some walkers and detailing where walkers might be advised to us a cushioned trainer for walking longer sections of hard surface.

• Kingshouse to Lochearnhead
• Killin to Loch Breaclaich (If the Glen Ogle to Loch Breaclaich option is taken this is not appropriate)
• Ardeonaig to Acharn (If the Glen Almond and Amulree option is used then this section is reduced to Ardeonaig to Ardtalanig)

Grid Reference Directions

In response to comments received from some walkers, we have produced in collaboration with Walking Support a 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 £2.90 we will return an attached word document with all the details to your e-mail address.

Route Gradients - Altitudes

Walking Support has produced a detailed graph and table defining the major ascents and descents along the length of the Way.



If you would like this in hard copy with supporting tables click here and Walking Support will return an attached word document to your e-mail address.

Accommodation Locations

This section is set up to offer suggestions on where individuals or parties might stay while on the route. Not all stages stop at locations where there is accommodation or eating facilities, but in all cases local communities and transport provision by private hire are readily available if booked in advance. All suggested locations have catering and refreshment provisions.

To link for suggestions on service providers click on accommodation, or transport & bag carrying provision.

Transport Details

The provision of public transport to and from the start and end locations is straightforward with bus services running to Drymen from Glasgow (No 8 from Buchanan Street Bus Station) and to Pitlochry from Perth and Edinburgh (National Express 538 & 588) (Scottish Citylink 957 997). Pitlochry also has train provision (North to Inverness and South via Perth to Glasgow or Edinburgh).

Aberfoyle is served by bus from Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station this being a No 10.
Callander is also served with Scottish Citylink buses operating from Edinburgh (No 974) twice a day in both directions. There are additionally local services to and from Stirling (C49 & C59).

Local Services between the various walking locations are as follows:

Ardtalnaig has only one postbus service per day which is very slow. This is only suitable for starting on day 5, not for collection at the end of day 4. It is therefore necessary to rely on private hire from either Killin or Aberfeldy.

Amulree has no public transport outwith the school terms, and if transport is needed private hire from Aberfeldy is the most appropriate .

Useful Contact Numbers

• Travel Line for all public transport information and timetables - Tel 08706082608 - www.travelinescotland.com
• Caber Coaches - Tel 01887 820090
• First Edinburgh - Bluebird Busline - 01324 613777
• Royal Mail Postbus - www.royalmail.com/postbus
• ScotRail - 08457 484950 or www.scotrail.co.uk
• Scottish Citylink - 08705 505050 or www.citylink.co.uk
• Stagecoach - 01738 629339 or www.stagecoachplc.com

Maps

The walk is not waymarked as a separate walk, some sections are marked as public footpaths, forestery walks, cycle route, or part of the public road network.
We therefore advocate that an up to date map to a scale of atleast 1:50000 is used and the walker comes prepared with compass. The O/S Landranger maps relevant to the walk are Nos. 57, 51 & 52.
We are able to advise walkers that the latest editions of the O/S Explorer and Landranger maps now show the Rob Roy Way on the relevant sheets.

The Official Guide and Map is published by Rucksack Readers. This can be obtained through Visitor Information Centres and some bookshops in the surrounding areas or ordered directly from the Publisher.
Tel +44(0) 1786 824 696
info@rucsacs.com
On-line at www.rucsacs.com/books/rrw/

Terrain

This has been divided into a section for each of the days, and may be of specific help for those who are undertaking only parts of the route.

Section	Terrain
Drymen to Loch Ard Forest	Road work along a minor single track and sometime hilly road. By using the alternative route out of Drymen walking east and picking up a short section of the West Highland Way this road distance and be reduced. This can be at time exposed but in general this is an easy walk
Loch Ard Forrest to Aberfoyle	This is mainly on forestry track which is in good condition. At times it can be muddy where logging work is being undertaken. Walking boots are required.
Aberfoyle to Loch Venachar	Short section of road and pathway followed by forest track then path. Finally out onto open grassland with uneven path and some bolders. Generally firm then returning to forest track. Generally within forest but a small section at high level with no protection. Walking boots required
Loch Venachar to Callander	Single track public road, footpath or walking/cycle track. This has few gradients, and is an easy walk
Callander to Kilmahog	All on cycle/walking track with good surfaces. Cushioned footwear or lighter boot might be advised.
Kilmahog to Strathyre	Starts on cycle/walking track with good surfaces, becoming more of a walking track along Loch Lubnaig, with some limited gradients. Finally ending on a single track roadway. One section could be subject to wet conditions underfoot. Walking boots recommended.
Strathyre to Kingshouse	Starting on a narrow forest path before joining a good quality forest roadway along the majority of the section, but be prepared for forestry working. Initially a gradual long climb, then steeper descent. Walking boots recommended.
Kingshouse to Glen Ogle	This can be undertaken on cycle and walking track all the way unless you divert through Lochearnhead. This way has one very steep section just to the west of Lochearnhead. Overall this section has a gradual but constant incline, most noticeable in Glen Ogle. Cushioned footwear or lighter boot might be advised if harder surfaces are a potential blister problem.
Glen Ogle to Killin and then to Loch Breaclaich	This is a mixture of cycle and forest tracks of good quality followed by track along a disused railway line. From Killin the way starts on a minor single track road before turning off and ascending steeply on a moorland vehicle track. This latter section is exposed to the weather. Walking boots are required on the section above Loch Breaclaich.
Glen Ogle to east of Loch Breaclaich	This is a mixture of forest tracks of good quality, single track road them moorland vehicle tracks. From high level forestry the route passes onto open land and glens, exposed to the weather. Walking boots are recommended.
Water pipe to Braetran	This is grassland and heather, some section are rather wet. With only single file paths at best this may demand some limited trailblazing. This is part of a steady descent to Loch Tay. Waterproof boots are essential.
Braetran to Ardtalnaig	Onto single track road, the greatest hazard will be the passing car or bicycle. Cushioned footwear or lighter boot might be advised for those who find hard surfaces tough on the feet.
Ardtalnaig to Acharn	This is all on a single track minor road with only limited inclines. Be prepared to have to mount the grass verge if traffic passes. Cushioned footwear or lighter boot might be advised for those who find hard surfaces tough on the feet.
Acharn via Tombuie Cottage to Birk of Aberfeldy	Climbing steeply on rough track before transferring onto farm tracks, then forestry path. A short road section is followed by further grass tracks and paths with some forestry tracks towards the end of the section. Walking boots are essential.
Ardtalnaig to Achnafree	Climbing steeply on single track road before transferring onto rough vehicle track. One section of grass path, ill defined at Dunan before a very rough quad bike track. The route then returns to an ever improving vehicle track. This is through high level glens with little protection from the weather. Walking boots are essential.
Achnafree to Glen Quaich	This starts on a farm track but changes to a single file walking trail through fern and heather. Opening out into a wider glen along the side of a small burn, the pathway is not very clear and can be rough and wet. Returning to a vehicle track on the descent into Glen Quaich. Walking boots essential.
Glen Quaich to Amulree	Single track public road with few gradients, but in an open valley.
Amulree to Lochan above Tombuie Cottage	A mixture of vehicle track, farm road and single track public road. One section is subject to a steep incline. Walking boots are recommended.
Lochan to Urlar	Moorland track all the way crossing high level open sheep grazing. Walking boots strongly recommended.
Birks of Aberfeldy	Walking track mainly single file with many steps and bridge sections. Descending all the way, but care is needed on this narrow way . Can be wet underfoot in parts. Boots recommended
Aberfeldy to Strathtay	Once the footpath reaches the distillery on the outskirts of Aberfeldy the path is on riverside tracks or grass paths before the final section on a tree lines path that has been made out of a disused railway. Walking boots recommended.
Strathtay to Pitlochry	Walking path up through woods then onto high level fields, before entering forestry roads and then forest walking tracks. Returning to single track metalled road before entering Pitlochry. Open to the elements in parts, then some pretection from the forest. Walking boots are required.

Weather

This can vary from day to day and area to area. Some of the walk is in open glens and high level moorlands, so mist and low cloud can be present and make visibility and navigation more difficult. The weather is as likely to be bright and in this circumstance there are only limited sections where the trees will afford a break from sunlight.

For information on the weather forecast within the region you can call Weathercall. (This is a premium rate telephone service run by the Met Office.)
Relevant Regions and Dial Numbers:

Region	Walking Day	Dial Number
West & Central Scotland	1-2	09068 232 791
East & Central Scotland	3-6	09068 232 792
Grampian & East Highlands	7	09068 232 794

Alternatively access the Met Office Website.

Communications

Communications in the form of mobile phone cannot be relied upon throughout the route but are generally available at the start and end points. There are variations between the various networks.

Day	Mobile Signal	Public/Emergency Telephone
1	Generally good but limited in parts of the forest	Adequate facilities in Drymen and Aberfoyle
2	Generally good	Adequate facilities in Callander and emergency use around Kilmahog
3	Generally good and works on some networks at the finishing point	Available in Strathyre or by diverting into Lochearnhead
4	Becoming patchy or non-existant in the middle section	Available at Ardeonaig and Ardtalnaig at the end of walk.
5	Patchy or non-existant in places.	Available in Amulree
6	Patchy or non-existant in places but generally improving towards the end of walk.	Adequate facilities in Aberfeldy
7	Generally good coverage	Adequate facilities in Pitlochry

Refreshments

Section	Refreshment options
Drymen to Aberfolye	No provisions along the route but there are shops and eating houses at the start and end. Require to carry food and liquids.
Aberfolye to Callander	No provisions along the route but there are shops and eating houses at the start and end. Require to carry food and liquids.
Callander to Glen Ogle or Killin	Plenty of shops at the start of the section and at Killin. Along this section there are refreshment stops at Kilmahog, Strathyre, Kingshouse, Balqhidder Station, Lochearnhead (short diversion) and snack caravan at the head of Glen Ogle.
Killin to Ardtalnaig	Restricted provisions along the route limited to the Ardeonaig Hotel. Starting from Killin there are shops and eating houses but there are no provision at the end. We strongly recommend walkers to carry food and liquids with some reserves on what is a more exposed and isolated section.
Ardtalnaig to Aberfeldy	Almost no provisions along the route, with the exception of a small shop in Acharn, but there are shops and eating houses at the end. Require to carry food and liquids.
Ardtalnaig to Amulree	No provision along the way with no shops at the start or end. In Amulree there is a tea room and hotel. Walkers need to carry food and liquids and we strongly recommend some reserves on what is a more exposed and isolated section.
Amulree to Aberfeldy	No provision along the way with no shops at the start but plenty at the end. Walkers need to carry food and liquids and we strongly recommend some reserves on what is a relatively isolated section.
Aberfeldy to Pitlochry	Only one shop offering limited snacks along the route at Strathtay. Plenty provision at start and end points. Walkers are advised to carry provisions.

Emergency Precautions

The walk takes you into Glens and Forests where you are possibly going to see very few other individuals. This may be one of the charms of this walk, but it is also important to recognise that assistance in an emergency will not necesarily be at hand. We also know that mobile telephone reception can be poor in some of the remoter areas, sometime being possible with one provider and not with another. It is therefore recommended that walker leave word with someone on the route being taken and the expected time of arrival at the days destination. We also recommend that each group has one person carrying some basic first aid kit, and that the group has water and some high energy food in case of having to stop for assistance. Proper outdoor clothing is required as on inclement days a walker could become very wet and cold without the right protection.

To access another walking section use the drop down menu below.

Select a Topic -------------------- The Walk Drymen to Aberfoyle Aberfoyle to Callander Callander to Glen Ogle Glen Ogle to Ardtalnaig Ardtalnaig to Aberfeldy Ardtalnaig to Amulree Amulree to Aberfeldy Aberfeldy to Pitlochry Route variations

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