Rob Roy Way

Rob Roy Way is an approximately 79-mile, one-way walk from Drymen to Pitlochry, crossing the southern Highlands through lochs, forest, villages and river valleys. Walk it northeast, the direction recommended for the prevailing wind, and allow six to eight days; the route climbs about 2,325 metres in total. It follows places associated with Rob Roy MacGregor (1671–1734), and its days shift between open Highland slopes and easier valley tracks. These figures describe the main line. An optional wilderness extension through Glen Quaich and Glen Almond between Ardtalnaig and Aberfeldy adds about 17 miles and is a different, longer route.

From Drymen Square, the Way heads north on a minor road for nearly four miles, then turns into Loch Ard forest. Tracks pass the Corrie Aqueduct and the domed shafts of the Victorian Loch Katrine water-supply scheme before dropping beside the Bofrishlie Burn. The trees give way near Aberfoyle at the roofless Kirkton Church, whose grounds contain old mort-safes.

North of Aberfoyle, a short stretch on the A821 leads to forest roads and a climb through the Menteith Hills to a small lochan at 220 metres. The descent reaches Loch Venachar and Gartchonzie Bridge; pause for the view across the water toward Ben Ledi. A shortcut at the bridge saves 2.6 miles by bypassing Callander, but that isn’t the full through-town route described here.

From Callander, the Way shares Cycle Route 7 and a sound, often tarmacked surface. A short detour visits the Falls of Leny; farther on, Loch Lubnaig opens beside the path, then the route climbs above Lochan Buidhe, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and crosses a suspension bridge into Strathyre. It’s easy walking in places, but expect plenty of cycleway and road rather than a continuous footpath.

Leaving Strathyre, forest tracks climb above the valley with views toward Beinn an t-Sidhean, then descend to the cycleway at Kingshouse. The route climbs through Glen Ogle above Lochearnhead and crosses the old Glen Ogle viaduct. After Lochan Lairig Cheile, the main route continues on Cycle Route 7 to Killin and the Falls of Dochart; a forest-road option over a 400-metre mast bypasses the village and is not included in this line.

Beyond Killin, the route leaves the South Loch Tay road and climbs rough tracks to Lochan Breaclaich and Craig Gharbh, the 565-metre high point. The descent across open hillside follows faint paths toward Newton Burn and Brae Farm, then reaches Ardeonaig Hotel and finishes with about three miles on the South Loch Tay road. This is the route’s hardest navigation: the path is not always clear in poor visibility, so bring current mapping and be prepared to follow it carefully.

The Ardtalnaig–Aberfeldy stage begins with 4.7 miles of road to Acharn, then climbs to the falls and Hermit’s Cave. The Queen’s Drive opens views over Loch Tay and Schiehallion; farther east, grassy paths above the River Tay lead to Birks o’ Aberfeldy, the wooded gorge Robert Burns celebrated in his 1787 song. The final stage eases along pavements, riverside paths and a former railway trackbed to Grandtully, crosses the River Tay, then climbs beside the Tullypowrie Burn. Forest road passes a four-poster stone circle before the Clunie Walk and fish ladder bring you into Pitlochry by the Memorial Garden.

Allow six to eight days, or about 42 hours on foot for a seven-day pace. The route’s villages have pubs and bed-and-breakfasts, but there’s no food or drink between Aberfoyle and Callander; confirm what is open for your dates. Dogs are allowed under Scotland’s access code when under proper control. Keep them close at heel or on a short lead near livestock and during the usual April–July ground-nesting season on moorland, in forests and by lochs; never take them into fields with lambs, calves or other young animals. Start in Drymen and arrange transport from Pitlochry at the end. The volunteer-maintained route has changed, so check its current updates and use a current map before setting out.