The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Lots to see by little lochs
Blairgowrie, Perth and Kinross
T he valley through which the Lunan Burn flows, from Dunkeld in the west to Blairgowrie in the east, is peppered with small lochs lying either on or close to the stream, a tributary of the River Isla and the Tay.
Just before it turns south to meet the Isla, the flow passes a cluster of pools on the southern fringes of Blairgowrie, quiet and concealed stretches of water shared by wildlife, anglers and walkers.
The town has an excellent network of paths and, linking up some of these routes, I set off to explore four watery delights and, hopefully, enjoy some grand views and spot some animals and birds along the way.
From Blairgowrie Cemetery I wandered down the road to Ardblair, a cluster of houses on the edge of town, where paths led me by woodland and between fields towards the farm at Muirton of Ardblair, then on to the historic oakwood at Darroch.
Coppiced during the 18th and 19th centuries, the plantation was once a vital source of timber, charcoal and bark. These days it is home to an array of insects, fungi, birds and, for a brief spell in the Spring, spectacular carpets of bluebells (it is known locally as Bluebell Woods).
Striking south from a gate on the lower edge of the woodland, a path crosses between fields to Whitelock Farm and my first pool of the day, Fingask Loch. Bounded by arable land and a band of trees cloaking the outflow to Lunan Burn, an anglers’ hut and pier sit by the edge of the water.
A little to the east, up the farm road, White Loch is also a popular fishing pool while the shoreline woodland offers sheltered spots to rest, sit and gaze out across the rippling water.
There was not much, however, in the way of wildlife sightings here so back on the track I wandered south to the hamlet of Carsie enjoying views west over farmland towards distant Benachally and Deuchary Hill, both of which rise to the north of Dunkeld.
Turning west towards Newbigging from the steading at Lunan Bank, a more robust track led me south to meet the A93 by Carsie Bridge.
Across the road a track signed for Stormont Loch took me east, entering Blairgowrie Golf Club at a gate just beyond Hare Myre Cottage. Flanked by trees and bushes, the track skirts the edge of the club’s Lansdowne course, to the left, and an open field on the right.
At the end of the field by the corner post of a high fence a path branches right, running south along the edge of the plantation of tall pines.
Hare Myre lies within the trees but the little loch is well concealed, so turning east along a grassy woodland trail, I headed for Stormont Loch (detour 300m north from point 7 to visit the eastern end of Hare Myre).
As I circled through woodland to the north of the loch, patient wildlife watching was rewarded with a sighting of a red squirrel busy stocking up on pinecones for the winter months ahead.
ROUTE
1. Cross Perth Road and go left to bus shelter. Go right, along path, then right again, following Ardblair Terrace to its end. Continue to crossroads of paths.
2. Go left along path to meet track and turn left, towards Muirton of Ardblair.
3. Branch right through gate (signed Bluebell Woods) to Darroch Wood. Enter wood and go left down to information board and gate. Go south to Whitelock Farm.
4. Go anti-clockwise around farm and continue along track to junction at Carsie. Go right along track for 500m then left on grassy path (signed Path) then track south to A93.
5. Bear left along verge, cross A93 and follow track (signed Stormont Loch) east, passing through gate beyond cottage.
6. Go right, following path along edge of fenced plantation to field entrance then go left along grassy track to signed junction.
7. Continue ahead (signed Stormont Loch), bearing right at next junction to Lochside. Go left along track for 800m.
8. Branch left on path to meet track at house. Go left, following track to signed junction and turn right (signed Golf Course Road).
9. Go left along Golf Course Road to Perth Road. Turn right to return to start.