Rob Roy Way - Long distance walking route.

ROUTE VARIATIONS
The Way provides the walker with some choice on route at varying points, this allowing the walker to determine the length of the overall walk, and the countryside and communities that they wish to visit. Some options will necessitate the use of local taxi transport to collect and deliver the walker at the end or start point of a walking section. There may also be the need for using an alternative option along forestry or moorland section, this to accommodate temporary forestry activity or grouse shooting. The following section cannot be comprehensive in all the options that exist but is aimed to identify the key variations.

Drymen
Two options exist at the start, the route east onto the West Highland Way or the route north from the square on the road to Loch Ard Forest. For the WHW take the B858 from the square till it joins the A811. At this point the WHW waymarkers can be seen, and follow the footpath east for about a quarter of a mile. Turn left up the pathway to the Garadhban Forest following the WHW till it crosses the minor road leading to the Muir Park Reservoir. The alternative and main RRW route starts in the Drymen Square walking north up the side of the Clachan Inn, past houses, the primary school then into open farmland for approximately a mile prior to running alongside and then entering the Garadhban Forest. At the point where the WHW crosses, continue north east along the minor road.		Alternative by West Highland Way - Track leading off A811 Main route north past Shandon

Aberfoyle
Two options exist on how to enter the Menteith Hills. The first option is via Dounans Outdoor Centre and round the north side of the Aberfoyle Golf Course, the second by way of the Millennium Cycle Track and the A81 to the forest entrance to the east of the Golf Course.
To access the second, proceed out of Aberfoyle to the east and shortly pick up the walkway and cycle track on the right. This track follows the banks of the Forth River some of the way, ending up at a T junction with the A81. Turn left and walk carefully along the road and at the junction with the A821 at the Rob Roy Motel bear right still on the A81. Pass by Braeval, the side of the golf course and in under a mile enter the forest track on the left. Take the main track north then to the north east where it joins up with the alternative route.		Footpath to the east of Aberfoyle running alongside the River Forth

Callander
The decision to visit Callander impacts the end of day 2. To choose Callander the route carries straight on at Gartehonzie for about 200 metre before entering Coilhallan Woods. It then descends into Callander and crosses the River Teith by a pedestrian bridge. For greater details on this and the bypass route use the following link. The alternative option is to turn left at Gartehonzie, over the East Gobhain River, walking up to the A821. This is the road from Brig o'Turk running east to Kilmahog. Cross the road at the "T" junction and follow the footpath on the north side of the road. First it climbs away from the road then turn to the right and runs parallel to the road before reaching the Bochastle car park.There are views on this path along the Teith river valley to Callander. Just prior to the bridge at Kilmahog there is a cycle and walkway crossing the road. Take the path to the left to continue on the RRW towards Strathyre.

Lochearnhead
If Lochearnhead is identified as a refreshment or stop over point a short diversion exists from and back to the main route along the Kingshouse to Glen Ogle section of the route. To enter Lochearnhead leave the route shortly after the viaduct crossing of the Kendrum Burn at the point where the track reaches the Craggan road bridge. Take the right hand track up to the minor road, bear right down to the A84, then left along the footpath to the main village T junction. To return to the RRW leave from the T junction walking north for about 100 metres on the A85, turning left into a tarred drive then almost immeditely right onto a pathway, through a fence gate and them heading steeply up a grassy path to rejoin the main route high above the village. Turn right to continue up Glen Ogle.		Junction at the Craggan Bridge Junction on RRW with the path entering from Lochearnhead

High track from Glen Ogle to Loch Breaclaich
Start from the carpark taking the vehicle track to the north past a small picnic area. This soon comes to the forest gates, pass though and continue on the main forest track. This passes a memorial stone to two pilots killed in a Tornado accident in these hills. The cycle route soon sets off to the left down a well surfaced route to Killin, via the Glen Dochart road. Remain on the main track ahead.		Forest Track looking towards Ben Lawers

The route remains basically straight ahead and climbing slightly with commanding views to the left over Killin, up Loch Tay and over to Beinn na Eachan, Meail Garbh, Meall nan Tarmachan and Ben Lawers. After curving right the forest track reaches a T junction, turn sharply right up a steepish track, then at a U bend turn left over the Achmore Burn. Continue on this track high in the forest heading towards a clearly seen radio mast. Pass the mast and within a few moments the track meets a metalled single track road coming up from the South Loch Tay road at Achmore. At this point the alternative route joins the main track from Killin to Ardtalnaig. To return to the section handling the remainder of the walk to Ardtalnaig click here.		Forest path beside Achmore Burn

South Loch Tay Route beyond Ardtalnaig
This is the alternative to the route through Glen Almond and along Loch Freuchie, and is the option that give the route its 79 mile distance. It is well detailed in the "Walk" section as Ardtalnaig to Aberfeldy and can be accessed by clicking here. Remaining on the South Loch Tay till you reach Acharn. The walk then climbs up the side of the Falls of Acharn. At the top the path travels parallel to Loch Tay below. At the Kenmore to Amulree road turn to Tombuie Cottage. Again take an elevated path passing Tulliehuil, Bolfracks Hill to Dunskaig then join the alternative route at the top of the Falls of Moness to complete the days walk in Aberfeldy.		Loch Tay from Kenmore
By taking this option you can complete in one full day the journey from Ardtalnaig to Aberfeldy, saving one day on the route via Amulree. Click here for more details.

Aberfeldy to Strathtay via north bank of the River Tay This was the official route up until the start of 2008 and may be still identified as the route on O/S maps. This option leaves Aberfeldy on the north side crossing the Tay at the Weem's Bridge and then immediately proceeds to cross the corner of the Aberfeldy Golf Course before heading east on the Weem to Strathtay road. The route follows the minor single track road into Strathtay passing the village store on the right hand side, then the golf course on the left. Shortly a road merges from the right and from Grandtully, this being the point where the new official route joins with this now optional alternative. To return to the section handling the remainder of the walk to Pitlochry click here.

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