ROUTE VARIATIONS

The Way provides the walker with some choice on route at varying points, this allowing the walker to determine the length of the overall walk, and the countryside and communities that they wish to visit. Some options will necessitate the use of local taxi transport to collect and deliver the walker at the end or start point of a walking section. There may also be the need for using an alternative option along forestry or moorland section, this to accommodate temporary forestry activity or grouse shooting.
The following section cannot be comprehensive in all the options that exist but is aimed to identify the key variations.


Drymen

Two options exist at the start, the route east onto the West Highland Way or the route north from the square on the road to Loch Ard Forest.
For the WHW take the B858 from the square till it joins the A811. At this point the WHW waymarkers can be seen, and follow the footpath east for about a quarter of a mile. Turn left up the pathway to the Garadhban Forest following the WHW till it crosses the minor road leading to the Muir Park Reservoir. The alternative and main RRW route starts in the Drymen Square walking north up the side of the Clachan Inn, past houses, the primary school then into open farmland for approximately a mile prior to running alongside and then entering the Garadhban Forest. At the point where the WHW crosses, continue north east along the minor road.


WHW

Alternative route by West Highland Way - Track leading off A811 Road north by Shandon

Main route north past Shandon


Aberfoyle

Two options exist on how to enter the Menteith Hills. The first option is via Dounans Outdoor Centre and round the north side of the Aberfoyle Golf Course, the second by way of the Millennium Cycle Track and the A81 to the forest entrance to the east of the Golf Course.

To access the second, proceed out of Aberfoyle to the east and shortly pick up the walkway and cycle track on the right. This track follows the banks of the Forth River some of the way, ending up at a T junction with the A81. Turn left and walk carefully along the road and at the junction with the A821 at the Rob Roy Motel bear right still on the A81. Pass by Braeval, the side of the golf course and in under a mile enter the forest track on the left. Take the main track north then to the north east where it joins up with the alternative route.


Footpath

Footpath to the east of Aberfoyle running alongside the River Forth


Callander

The decision to visit Callander impacts the end of day 2. To choose Callander the route carries straight on at Gartehonzie till turning left at the A81 on the southern edge of Callander. The alternative option is to turn left at Gartehonzie, over the East Gobhain River, then right onto the A821. This is the road from Brig o'Turk and the road runs east to Kilmahog. Keep on the narrow footpath to the north side of the road. There are views ahead along the Teith river valley to Callander. Just prior to the bridge at Kilmahog there is a cycle and walkway crossing the road. Take the path to the left to continue on the RRW towards Strathyre.


Lochearnhead

If Lochearnhead is identified as a refreshment or stop over point a short diversion exists from and back to the main route along the Kingshouse to Glen Ogle section of the route.
To enter Lochearnhead leave the route shortly after the viaduct crossing of the Kendrum Burn at the point where the track reaches the Craggan road bridge. Take the right hand track up to the minor road, bear right down to the A84, then left along the footpath to the main village T junction.
To return to the RRW leave from the T junction walking north for about 100 metres on the A85, turning left into a tarred drive then almost immeditely right onto a pathway, through a fence gate and them heading steeply up a grassy path to rejoin the main route high above the village. Turn right to continue up Glen Ogle.


Junction at the Craggan Bridge

Craggan Bridge Path way marker

Junction on RRW with the path entering from Lochearnhead


Killin

If Killin is the end of the Strathyre and Glen Ogle days walk then an extra 60 to 80 minutes needs to be added to the walking day. The section is almost totally downhill on mainly forestry tracks. There are many attractive views across Loch Tay to the mountains on the northern banks.
The Rob Roy Way follows the same route as the cycle path finally running east along the bed of the former railway line. There are alternatives but they may be subject to closure due to shooting or forestry. One such route is accessed at the first "T" junction shortly after the tarmac cycle track ends.


Killin in the 
valley

Killin & Loch Tay looking NE

This route heads off to the right. At the next junction the route is to the left prior to the final descent to the Falls of Dochart and them the A827 pathway into Killin. As you cross the bridge over the river look out for the gate on the right onto the island burial ground of the Clan Macnab.


South Loch Tay Route beyond Ardtalnaig

This is an alternative to the route through Glen Almond and along Loch Freuchie.

Remaining on the South Loch Tay till you Acharn. The walk then climbs up the side of the Falls of Acharn. At the top the path travels parallel to Loch Tay below. At the Kenmore to Amulree road turn to Tombuie Cottage. Again take an elevated path passing Tulliehuil, Bolfracks Hill to Dunskaig then join the alternative route at the top of the Falls of Moness to complete the days walk in Aberfeldy.


Loch tay at Kenmore

Loch Tay from Kenmore

By taking this option you can complete in one full day the journey from Ardtalnaig to Aberfeldy, saving one day on the route via Amulree.

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