Walking festival strides back with a range of new routes as lockdown eases
A popular Scottish walking festival is making a welcome comeback this year as lockdown restrictions ease.
Crieff & Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst is running a series of walks around the Perthshire countryside, with a range of destinations and difficulty levels to suit all abilities.
The charity was set up to celebrate the life, work and traditions of the people who made Crieff the cattle-droving crossroads of Scotland in the 1700s andhasbeenrunningawalking festivalforthepasttwodecades.
Its 2020 event was cancelled duetothecoronaviruspandemic, but now easing of lockdown restrictions means this year’s event can go ahead – but on a smaller scale than usual.
The festival is being held over twoweekends–inmayandjuly – allowing people to get outside and enjoy Scotland's hills and glens safely.
Small groups of hikers will be guided on a wide choice of routes, with a number of new locations to be explored.
Gil Martin, chairman of Crieff & Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst, said: “In a year when many events and group gatherings are cancelled or considerably reducediampleasedtosaythat our friendly walking festival is happening – and evidently in great demand.
“With a record number of 43 walks over two long weekends, we fully expect to have a busy year guiding visitors on walks aroundperthshireandbeyond.”
Author Fiona Valpy, from Dunkeld, first took part in the festival two years ago and often walks with her friend Lesley Singers from Birnam. The pair, nowintheir50s,decidedtosign upasawayofmaintainingtheir strength and fitness.
“We started walking locally on a regular basis but decided we needed some support to takeonmorechallengingexpeditions,” Ms Valpy said.
“Wedidn’tfeelconfidentheading out on the hills on our own so the walking festivals are a greatwaytochallengeourselves and meet new people.”
As well as mountaincraft such as map-reading, walkers also learn about the history
and wildlife in the places they are exploring.
“The leaders are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced and you can learn so
much from them,” she added.
“Thewalkshavedeepenedmy understanding and appreciation of the landscapes and my ability to interpret them.”crieff
& Strathearn Drovers’ Tryst walking festival is taking place on 29-31 May and 17-19 July.