ALLEAN, Loch Tummel, Perthshire

Magnificent views and some interesting remains on this medium length walk


This is essentially a forest walk and so is more interesting in Summer and Autumn than in Spring or Winter. The length is 2.5 miles and rises from circa 600ft to circa 1000ft and the woodland paths are well maintained so this is a fairly easy going walk.

If you are going to do the shorter of the walks, marked in yellow, then make sure that you address it clockwise. The longer red route is good in either direction although anti-clockwise somehow feels better. There are a number of good viewpoints and two very well preserved ancient remains - a Clachan and a Pictish Ring Fort.


There is even a view down the length of Loch Tummel that gives the Queens view a run for its money - as the next photo shows.

Assuming that you have taken the longer walk anti-clockwise, although do not feel any particular pressure to take up this suggestion, you will encounter an 8th century Pictish Hill Fort after about .25 mile. There is no detailing inside the fort but the external walls are a testament to 8th century architecture.

The forest is extremely well managed with little overt evidence of ongoing husbandry. There are plenty of Douglas Fir and Scots Pine as well as Spruce and Larch. 


The habitat is good for wildlife and you may well see Crossbills, Red Squirrels and possibly even Pine Marten.


Sadly, given that the overall experience is excellent, there is only one place other than the carpark that is suitable to sit for a while and maybe take a sandwich. I guess that this is all part of the strategy for keeping human rubbish at bay - which I have to reluctantly agree with. However, at this point I shall post a few shots that show the lovely restful character of this forest.


Remember that you can click on any of these photographs to see them full size.

Trees, duh!

Fern

Clouds

Close Encounter

A Time and a Place

Moving on, the walk starts heading back down hill and you encounter a Clachan, an 18th century turf-roofed farmstead. These are typically a small collection of dwellings where some sort of community activity took place - fishing or farming. This one has been partially restored and there is an informative notice-board.

To sum up, Allean is a top grade, way-marked walk with excellent views, interesting monuments and a stunning breadth of colour and texture for the photographer.

P.S. At the end of your walk, it is worth nipping over the road to the Queens View car park and rewarding yourself with some very good home baking and tea from the current concession holder.