Trails from the riverbank

Crieff to Muthill, Perth & Kinross

L eading south from Crieff and following for the most part the waterway from which it takes its name, the River Earn Walk offers a delightful, undemanding stroll through woodland and across farmland to the historic village of Muthill.

As this is a linear route, it is reassuring to know there is a bus service covering the return journey and, with that taken care of, my first task was to make my way out of Crieff. Thanks to good signage, which continues throughout the walk, this is easily done.

From central James Square, which was laid out by James Drummond, 3rd Duke of Perth in 1731, I wandered down to Burrell Square, which dates from the early 19th Century and was originally known as The Octagon. Continuing west, a path and steps at the far end of Drummawhandie Road dipped to parkland bordering the river.

Bearing right, the trail forks left just before Sauchie Road, crosses a bridge spanning a former railway line and curves down through woodland to run south by playing fields. Crossing a minor road, I passed along the boundary of a cemetery before branching right on Earnbank Road by the graveyard gates.

Cutting a slender line between houses and cottages, the lane delivered me on to North Bridge Street where I met up with the River Earn at Crieff Bridge. The present structure dates from 1866 but there’s been a crossing here since 1690.

The route detours west, up narrow Alichmore Lane, along the edge of a field and through Thomas Wood before rejoining the Earn at the rear of the Stuart Crystal car park.

A pleasant, tree-lined trail ambles on from here, passing through woodland and then, beyond a footbridge, weaving below mature deciduous trees on the periphery of grazing land.

Spotting ducks and swans on the water and a couple of grey squirrels in the canopy above, the marked path crosses grassland before mounting a levy that protects neighbouring farmland from flooding. Approaching the steading at Templemill, careful footing is required along a short stretch where part of the riverbank has fallen away but, onward from here, the going is good all the way to the piers of a former railway bridge jutting out of the water near Strageath Mill.

The trail leaves the river by the old bridge, abandoned in the 1960s, and follows the trackbed of the Crieff Junction Railway south, passing Strageath Mill over to the left as it rises below another ex-railway bridge to Strageath Hall.

Joining the road to Muthill at the end of the farm track, I was heartened to find a parallel path running through adjacent Sallyardoch Wood and, while initially rather wet underfoot, it offered a pleasant alternative to the tarmac.

Nearing my destination, however, the road proved unavoidable, but it did deliver me right into the heart of Muthill, a village established by monks in the 1100s but largely destroyed in 1716 by Jacobites retreating from the Battle of Sheriffmuir.

The 12th Century tower of the old church, the oldest structure in Muthill, survived and I enjoyed a wee wander around the burial ground and medieval ruins that flank it before boarding the bus back to Crieff.

ROUTE

1. Descend west on High Street then Lodge Street. Cross Burrell Street and continue along Drummawhandie Road.

2. Cross Carrington Terrace and descend path/steps. Exit Ryan Place, turn right on Sauchie Road and fork left on path.

3. Pass cemetery entrance and turn right, following Earnbank Road (fork right at Springfield sign) to North Bridge Street. Turn right and cross River Earn.

4. Cross A822 and turn right up Alichmore Lane, following track west to junction. Go left (signed Crosshead), pass through gate and continue up field edge. Enter woodland at gate and, at next waymarker post, descend left to A822.

5. Cross A822 and go through Stuart Crystal car park, joining riverside path at gate.

6. Approaching old bridge piers, go right through two gates and follow path south, passing under road to meet track.

7. Go left to farm then right up track to road.

8. Bear right to forest gate, go through and, 50m along track, go right on waymarked path.

9. Follow road west to Muthill. Based on Ordnance Survey mapping © Crown copyright. Media 032/13 Time: 2-3 hours

Ascent: 130m/430ft

Distance: 9.6km/6 miles

Grading: Easy, low-level, linear riverside route following well-signed tracks and paths. Stout footwear recommended, as some sections can be muddy underfoot. Keep dogs under close control where livestock is encountered

Start: James Square in the centre of Crieff (Grid ref: NN 863215). Finish in Drummond Street, Muthill

Map: Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 58; Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer sheet OL47

Tourist information: Perth icentre, 45 High Street, Perth PH1 5TJ (Tel: 01738 450600)

Public transport: Return to Crieff from Muthill on Stagecoach bus service 47 (check timetable at www.stagecoachbus.com before setting off)