1 Glenshee and Strathardle Outdoor Activity Guide Enjoy great walking and cycling trails at the gateway to the Cairngorms National Park Download this guide at www.glenofthefairies.co.uk Introduction 4-5 Area Map 12-13 History 6-7 Cateran Trail 14-15 Wildlife 8-9 Routes for Walking/Cycling 16-53 Access 10 Local Safety 11 Services 57-64 The walks and trails of Glenshee and Strathardle deserve to be better known than they are, particularly as so many take the walker or mountain biker to areas of outstanding beauty and scenery which are rich in wildlife. Supported by the Drumderg Windfarm Fund Introduction Introduction Glens for all seasons – the Glenshee Walking - With 20 Munros and a huge snow making facilities if required. All and Strathardle Glens offer unrivalled choice of smaller hills there is a great abilities are catered for and there is a opportunities for some of the best variety of walks available for all abilities good selection of ski and board hire, ski hillwalking, cycling, skiing and and ages including the Cateran Trail. Walks school tuition and climbing guiding. sightseeing in Scotland. will take you to places that boast some of the best scenery in Eastern Scotland. Fishing and Fieldsports – These are a Glenshee and Strathardle are the big feature of the area. There is a large southern gateway to the Cairngorms Cycling – The spectacular natural river network coming from the hills National Park and Royal Deeside, the environment and landscape is an and lochs for salmon and trout fishing, hidden route to the Highlands. adventure playground for bikers. There permits for which are available locally. are many routes available that cater for Beginning in Blairgowrie, the newly the novice, families and experts alike. named ‘Snow Road and Scenic Route’, Glenshee and Strathardle boast a great Skiing – Glenshee Ski Centre is the range of accommodation and things largest Ski Resort in the UK, boasting 22 to do. The facilities for walkers, anglers, lifts and tows. Glenshee offers 36 runs shooters, golfers and cyclists as well as comprising 40kms of pisted snow and winter sports enthusiasts are unrivalled. when conditions allow there are also We ask that you respect any notices relating to shooting, farming and estate activities. We ask that you respect any notices relating to shooting, farming and estate activities. History History Glenshee and Strathardle lie hidden in the north-east corner of Perthshire, Glenshee taking its name from the Gaelic ‘Shith’ (Glen of the Fairies or Peace). Its history provides a virtual snapshot of the story of Highland Scotland with the mountains of the Cairngorms providing a magnificent backdrop. The first settlers moved in the glens in Although the area was wracked With the visits of Queen Victoria and the Spectacular scenery on the A93 forms the Bronze Age. By the first millennium by raiding Caterans and Jacobite rise of shooting, tourism saw a reversal part of the ‘Snow Roads Scenic Route’ the ancient pass to Braemar was in rebellions, more peaceful times arrived of fortune with the majority of Castles to Grantown on Spey via Royal Deeside. common use leading to a Hospice when the first road was built in 1750 and Hunting Lodges dating from this Take a look from the viewpoint at the (Spittal) on both sides of the mountains. opening the Glens up to the outside period. Post WW2 saw the arrival of newly developed layby just below the Glenshee and Strathardle grew to world. modern tourism on the back of the new Devil’s Elbow and imagine a vibrant support large populations based heavily ski slopes, the attractiveness of hill- and inhabited landscape in the many on the Clan System with Lairds and Unfortunately this period was soon walking as a recreation activity and the outline dwellings still visible. tenants living in fermtouns. shattered as new enclosed farming continued popularity of the shooting methods and sheep were introduced seasons. The resident Clan in the Glens is the with many families evicted from their Clan MacThomas who became resident ancestral lands. This drastic reduction The present Royal Family spend their in Glenshee in 1470. The annual Clan in population was accompanied by the summers up at Balmoral Castle, built Gathering continues to be held at the eventual disappearance of the Gaelic by Queen Victoria, and can often be ‘Cockstane’ in August. To find out more language which had been in place for spotted driving up through Glenshee. about the history of Clan MacThomas thousands of years. go to www.clanmacthomas.co.uk. We ask that you respect any notices relating to shooting, farming and estate activities. We ask that you respect any notices relating to shooting, farming and estate activities. Wildlife Wildlife The Cairngorms National Park is home to 25% of the UK’s threatened bird, animal and plant species. Glenshee and the neighbouring glens support a Stoat Mountain Hare wide range of wildlife. Some of the mammals which call the Glen home include: ‘The Monarch of the Glen’ – The Red Deer, Red Squirrels, Pine Martens, the Scottish Wildcat and Ring Ouzel Otters. Please help to minimise The rich diversity and scale of habitats disturbance to wildlife by keeping dogs under close found in the Glenshee and Strathardle Roe control or on a short lead. area are ideal for those wishing to see a range of mountain birds including the Red & Black Grouse, Ptarmigan, Golden Eagle, Buzzard, Kite and Dotterel. Ptarmigan Wildcat Oystercatcher Highland Coo Buzzard Wildflower Golden Eagle Red Squirrel Foxglove We ask that you respect any notices relating to shooting, farming and estate activities. We ask that you respect any notices relating to shooting, farming and estate activities. Access Safety Scotland has a tradition of In order to enjoy your walk or cycle open access to walkers to the full, it is best to take who behave responsibly. a few sensible precautions. However the Scottish Parliament Dogs should be under direct control at all • Obtain an accurate weather • Particularly for the higher hill in 2003 passed The Land Reform (Scotland) times, possibly on a lead and not permitted forecast. walks, it is good practice to leave Act which gives everyone statutory access to run wild potentially harming wildlife, • Wear appropriate clothing and a note of your intended route and rights to most land and inland water. People ground nesting birds and lambs. footwear. expected return time with a only have these rights if they exercise them friend or family member. responsibly by respecting the privacy, safety • Obtain and know how to use an Cars should be parked so as not to interfere appropriate map. • Cyclists are urged to wear an and livelihoods of others, as well as caring with other users. Gates should always be appropriate helmet & gloves. for the environment. The Scottish Outdoor closed behind you. All litter should be • If in doubt consider hiring the services Access Code provides further guidance on of a guide • Be aware that on the higher walks taken home with you. Wild Camping is snow and freezing temperatures your rights and responsibilities. Equally land permitted where the tent is pitched away managers have to manage their • The weather can be very different from can occur at virtually any time of from roads and buildings and for a short the forecast and can change very the year. Extra clothing, gloves and hat land and water responsibly in relation to period in any one place. Camp fires should access rights. quickly, so be prepared to change should be carried. be small, enclosed and completely your plans if necessary. www.outdooraccess-scotland.com extinguished before moving on. During the • It is a good idea to carry a mobile • Please observe any access phone. Bear in mind a mobile What this means in practice is red deer stag stalking season in September restrictions. signal cannot be guaranteed. that you can walk or cycle anywhere, and October further more detailed keeping away from private gardens etc, information can be obtained from the SNH • Timings for the walks and cycle If there is an incident and you provided that you act responsibly by taking website www.snh.gov.uk routes are approximate and may require assistance you should: note of reasonable requests by farmers, take longer than indicated. foresters and game keepers who might be involved in deer culling, lambing or tree felling for example. Use of cycles should be limited to reasonably strong made-up paths Dial 999 ask for police and then mountain rescue, to avoid damaging soft vegetation. giving the following information: • Location – ideally with a six figure • Stay at the location given grid reference and description • Bear in mind that, depending on • Nature of any injuries your location, it can take some • How many people are injured time for assistance to arrive. Take any steps you can to keep • Be ready to give your mobile any casualty warm and from phone number further harm. We ask that you respect any notices relating to shooting, farming and estate activities. We ask that you respect any notices relating to shooting, farming and estate activities. Glenshee and Strathardle Trails Glenshee andStrathardle 3 4 2 7 6 8 5 9 10 13 11 22 15 14 12 18-21 17 16 1414 1515 Trail ???1 XXXXXXXXXXXThe Cateran Trail Distance: Follow in the footsteps of the 103 km (64 miles) Caterans – marauding cattle thieves Duration : from the Middle Ages. 4 to 5 days The Cateran Trail is Scotland’s first circular Grade : long-distance route. Winding through a mixture Moderate/Hard of farmland, moorland and woodland; 103 km (64 ml) of fully waymarked paths. OS Map : Landranger Along the Trail, wide open views reveal distant 43 & 53 hills interrupted by mixed woods of gnarled birch, oak and ash, and more recent forest plantations.