Long distance
Cateran Trail
A circular route through the rolling Perthshire countryside following ancient cattle-droving paths used by the Caterans — Highland raiders. Gentle hills, farmland and forests. Best walked in either direction over 5 days. The full route covers 103 km (64 mi) with 2,100 m of climbing — a manageable mid-distance route.
Quick facts
- Distance
- 103 km/ 64 mi
- Typical days
- 5
- Total ascent
- 2100 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Start → Finish
- Blairgowrie → Blairgowrie
- Best direction
- Either direction
- Water sources
- Blairgowrie, Bridge of Cally, Kirkmichael, Spittal of Glenshee, Glenisla (Folda) and Alyth — all have taps and shops. The route follows farmland and glen tracks with reliable burns. Treat before drinking. Hotels and pubs in each village add fill points.
- Mobile signal
- EE/Vodafone reliable in the named villages. Brief gaps on the moorland between Spittal of Glenshee and Glenisla (the Glenshee–Glenisla bealach). Generally good coverage for a Highland route.
✔ Waymarked throughout
Approximate profile derived from per-stage ascent — accurate on total climb and pattern, not a pixel-precise GPX trace.
Our take
The Cateran Trail is underrated precisely because it lacks the dramatic mountain scenery of the WHW or Cape Wrath Trail. What it offers instead is genuinely pleasant walking through lived-in countryside — Perthshire farming communities, riverside paths, and the Glenshee approach hills. The circular format means no shuttle logistics. Perfect for a long weekend.
Highlights
- Glenshee approach
- Spittal of Glenshee
- Kirkmichael village
- River Ardle and Enochdhu
Day-by-day itinerary
A suggested 5-day schedule. Adjust to your fitness and conditions.
1Blairgowrie to Kirkmichael22km · 450m ascent
Through the soft fruit farmland of Strathmore and up into the foothills along the River Ardle to the village of Kirkmichael.
- Terrain
- Farm tracks, riverside paths, quiet lanes. Gentle climbing.
- Overnight
- Kirkmichael has the Strathardle Inn and B&Bs.
- Stats
- Blairgowrie → Kirkmichael · 22km · ↑450m
2Kirkmichael to Spittal of Glenshee20km · 500m ascent
Up through Strathardle and over the hills to the Spittal of Glenshee. The landscape becomes wilder and more open as you gain height.
- Terrain
- Hill tracks, moorland paths, some rough ground.
- Overnight
- Spittal of Glenshee has the Dalmunzie Castle Hotel and B&Bs.
- Stats
- Kirkmichael → Spittal of Glenshee · 20km · ↑500m
3Spittal of Glenshee to Kirkton of Glenisla22km · 500m ascent
Over the high point of the route through the Mounth hills with expansive views across the eastern Highlands to the Angus glens.
- Terrain
- Moorland tracks, hill paths, old drove roads. The highest and most exposed section.
- Overnight
- Kirkton of Glenisla has the Glenisla Hotel and limited B&Bs.
- Stats
- Spittal of Glenshee → Kirkton of Glenisla · 22km · ↑500m
4Kirkton of Glenisla to Alyth20km · 350m ascent
Down from Glen Isla through forest and farmland to the market town of Alyth. The terrain eases as you descend into Strathmore.
- Terrain
- Forest tracks, farm paths, quiet lanes. Mostly descending.
- Overnight
- Alyth has the Losset Inn, B&Bs and a good bakery.
- Stats
- Kirkton of Glenisla → Alyth · 20km · ↑350m
5Alyth to Blairgowrie19km · 300m ascent
The final stretch through gentle Perthshire farmland past Meigle and its Pictish stones to complete the circuit at Blairgowrie.
- Terrain
- Farm tracks, quiet lanes, riverside paths. Flat and easy.
- Overnight
- Blairgowrie has hotels, B&Bs and restaurants. Celebrate at the end.
- Stats
- Alyth → Blairgowrie · 19km · ↑300m
Transport
To start (Blairgowrie)
Bus · Stagecoach East Scotland
Perth ↔ Blairgowrie ↔ Dundee (services 57 / 57A / 57U / 59)
Every ~30 min Mon–Fri, hourly weekends
Perth has direct ScotRail services from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
Check times & book →
From finish (Blairgowrie)
Bus · Stagecoach East Scotland
Blairgowrie to Perth / Dundee (services 57 / 59)
Every ~30 min Mon–Fri, hourly weekends
Circular route — start = finish at Blairgowrie.
Check times & book →
Best months
Accommodation
B&Bs and small hotels at Blairgowrie, Kirkmichael, Spittal of Glenshee and Alyth. Well-served for a circular route. B&Bs and small hotels in Blairgowrie, Kirkmichael, Spittal of Glenshee, Kirkton of Glenisla and Alyth; circular logistics mean you can leave a car at Blairgowrie and return to it.
Resupply
Blairgowrie has full shops. Limited supplies at Kirkmichael and Spittal of Glenshee. Carry lunch each day. Carry lunch from Blairgowrie at the start; smaller shops at Kirkmichael and Spittal of Glenshee are useful but limited in stock. Longest gap is around 20km on the Glenshee-to-Glenisla stage.
Connect with
Chain into a longer expedition by combining with adjacent long-distance routes.
Current conditions
Weather at the start point (Blairgowrie)
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:22
- Sunset
- 22:06
- Civil dawn
- 03:16
- Civil dusk
- 23:12
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Share your experience
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Getting to and from the Cateran Trail
Train and town anchors at each end of the route — on TripSCOT.