Cateran Ecomuseum

Follow in the footsteps of Major William Caulfeild’s industrious road building troops with a march along the longest navigable stretch of the military road network in north east Perthshire.

Join local archaeologist Dr Gavin Lindsay for a march into military history and find out more about General Wade’s engineering successor, the Jacobite rebellion of 1715 that provided the catalyst, and the physical legacy of roads and bridges still visible in the landscape today.

Places are limited to a maximum number of eight participants and booking in advance is essential – you can find further information and secure your place here.

The Old Military Road at Lair, photo Clare Cooper

Grade of walk: Hard – approx. 10.7km across mixed track and open upland terrain with several steep sections. Suitable for adults with some hillwalking experience and above average fitness and stamina. The pace will be steady, there will be a significant amount of ascent and descent, and the route may involve steep sections and rough terrain and may include walking on uneven surfaces including grass, heather and peat bog. No children under 16 years of age.

Cost: Free

Assembly point: Vehicle owners should assemble in the Bridge of Cally Hotel car park by 10:45 (NGR: NO 1404,5137) for a car share back to the walk start point. Public transport and pedestrian attendees should meet at the Keithbank Mills car park on Balmoral Road, Blairgowrie, PH10 7HW, and should email [email protected] to arrange a lift back from Bridge of Cally at the end of the walk.

Dogs are not permitted owing to land use and livestock. This is a long-distance linear day hike, please bring a packed lunch and sufficient snack rations and drinking water plus any medications necessary for a day outing. Be prepared for Scotland’s varied weather with clothing for wet/cold and warm/dry conditions. Please wear sturdy footwear with ankle support suitable for mixed, potentially boggy, upland terrain. There are no public toilets on this route. Risk assessment and route plan available on request.

This session is part of The Cateran Ecomuseum’s Travel For All Our Tomorrow’s programme which offers a number of free, active travel for leisure experiences co-designed with local communities and led by local people and which aims to encourage more people in the Tayside region to enjoy what is on their doorstep, rather than increase their carbon footprint by travelling further afield.

The walk is being delivered by the Cateran Ecomuseum with the support of Inspiring Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Rural and Island Communities Ideas into Action (RICIA) Fund and Paths for All Smarter Choices Smarter Places programme.