A fully waymarked circular route beginning and ending in Blairgowrie.

Little more than an hour north of Edinburgh, it boasts some of the loveliest scenery in a corner of Perthshire that is relatively unknown to walkers.

Signposts, stiles and bridges marked with the Trail logo and direction arrows allow for easy route identification.

The Trail can be walked in one go - over 4 or 5 days - or in stages. It follows old drove roads, ancient tracks and minor roads and passes through farmland and forests.

Most of the Trail is suitable only for walkers due to the terrain, many deer fences and ladder stiles. You are requested not to take your dog(s) through fields where there are young animals.

The Cateran Trail is managed by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust and would not exist without the permission and co-operation of owners whose land it crosses.

The Caterans

The Caterans were marauding cattle thieves who flourished in the more lawless regions of the Highlands from the Middle Ages until the 17th century. More feared than wolves, cateran raiding parties numbered anything from 50 to 500 fierce warriors.

Favouring dark nights, and often remarkably well informed about their targets, they would descend on richer neighbours when they were off guard. Weddings and other festivities often provided an opportunity for a raid and many revellers would sober up to find their folds empty and their cattle gone.

The caterans raided far and wide but the rich farmlands of Glen Isla and Strathardle were particularly 'favoured'. By custom they would return by a different way from which they came, using ancient drove roads through remote glens.

The route

From Blairgowrie the Cateran Trail follows the Ericht and then the Lornty Burn, passing through farmland. It takes a high path over Cochrage Muir to Bridge of Cally, a tiny hamlet famed for its hotel and now a popular location for field and winter sports.

The Trail enters Strathardle, a lush Highland glen whose soft contours and cattle rich pastures were a magnet for the caterans. The glen has been farmed since the Bronze Age, and in medieval times was home to over 3,000 people. Considerably quieter now, it still has three villages, Ballintuim, Kirkmichael and Enochdhu and offers a good choice of places to stay and eat.

At Enochdhu - the black meadow or moor - the Trail heads north towards Glenshee - glen of the fairies - a wild highland area with spectacular mountain peaks. The track crosses a bealach or pass between the hills at An Lairig.

Spittal of Glenshee is popular with walkers and Munro baggers and has good accommodation and places in which to eat - a spittal was a traveller's refuge and/ or inn from a time when wolves still roamed the hills.

Leaving Glenshee, the Trail follows the Shee Water past Dalnaglar Castle. At this point there is a choice of routes around Mount Blair:

• a new off road section via Little Forter and higher up Glen Isla to Loch Shandra or
• quiet single tracks roads by lovely Drumore Loch into the lush farmland of Glen Isla

The main village of Kirkton of Glenisla is an ideal point for an overnight stay.

The Trail then winds through forests and farmland to the historic and picturesque burgh town of Alyth. Arthurian legends are strong in this area. It is said that Queen Guinevere was held captive by King Mordred at his fort on nearby Barry Hill.

The route passes over Alyth Hill and on to open moorland by the massive standing stones of Heatheryhaugh. From where it is back to Bridge of Cally and on to the start point at Blairgowrie.

For good quality accommodation email Blairgowrie Tourist Information Centre for further information and an accommodation pack. Blairgowrie TIC

Alternatively, visit Old Stables for warm and friendly local accommodation.

Blairgowrie Walking Festival features the only fully guided tour of the Cateran Trail.

A rucksack essential

All walkers are strongly recommended to equip themselves with the Rucksack Readers combined guide and route map, The Cateran Trail.

Alternatively, to ensure you have full coverage of the Trail you will need to buy OS Explorer maps 381,387 and 388 at £7.50 each.