ROB ROY MACREGOR
Rob Roy: This walk follows the tracks and paths used by Rob Roy MacGregor in the 17th & 18th centuries as he worked fought and lived the life of Scotland’s most notorious outlaw.
Starting from Drymen on the West Highland Way, The Rob Roy Way takes another route, north-east to finish in Pitlochry. There are different route choices so the route can be either 77 or 94 miles (124 or 151km).
THE TOWNS
- Drymen –
The village of Drymen sits in the hills at the western end of the Campsie Fells, overlooking the Endrick Water as it nears Loch Lomond. In the 18th and 19th centuries Drymen was a popular stopover for Highland cattle drovers.
2. Aberfoyle –
Aberfoyle is in the heart of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, 27 miles northwest of Glasgow. The town is situated on the River Forth at the foot of Craigmore and is a very popular base for walking in the Trossachs.
3. Callander –
The pretty town of Callander lies immediately south of the Highland Boundary Fault which is historically a meeting point between the Highlands and the Lowlands.The River Teith passes through. The Christmas Shoppe is a year-round institution, and smells lovely!
4. Lochearnhead –
Lochearnhead is a village on the A84 Stirling to Crianlarich road at the foot of Glen Ogle, 14 miles north of the Highland Boundary Fault.
The remains of a crannog, an ancient loch dwelling, can be found at the south west corner of the Loch Earn. This highlights that there has been a settlement here for the last two thousand years.
Nearby Ben Vorlich, which sits on the shores of Loch Earn (not be confused with the Ben Vorlich near Loch Lomond) is a steep-sided, shapely hill of 3,232 ft (985 m) that offers great views to the north and west.
5. Killin –
Killin is a small village at the Falls of Dochart, a spectacular series of rapids, at the western end of Loch Tay – a popular destination for salmon fishing.
7. Pitlochry –
Pitlochry is a Victorian town, lying on the River Tummel – famous amongst kayakers , rafters and canoeists. Mountains such as Ben Vrackie and the distinctive Schiehallion are nearby.
THE WALK
I walked this back when I was in Secondary School. Our teachers organised it. Thank you teachers for having the bravery to take a large group of teenagers into the outdoors!
Logistics:
We stayed at the now demolished Killin Youth Hostel – yes, that was it’s real name!
We hired a minibus and had someone do the luggage courier / back-to-base trips for a fee. There are companies that offer this service. Alternatively, book accommodation at each stage well in advance or carefully wild camp.
What to Pack: Check out this post for a packing list for long distance walking in Scotland.
When to walk? Each season has their benefits, Scotland’s summer is short (or non-existent) and winter is long. The best times for walking are generally Spring and Autumn, when the paths are less busy and the light lasts longer. It wouldn’t be silly to choose the time of your walk to avoid midge-season which is notorious in Scotland.
Winter walking in Scotland is beautiful but requires experience.
How long? From memory, the walk took us 7 days to complete. I don’t remember it being particularly onerous, I do remember walking along the Glen Ogle Viaduct being a particular highlight.
The Rob Roy Way passes over Glen Ogle Viaduct.
Enjoy your saunter! (my what?)
Sauntering Scot 