On The Braes O' Killiecrankie

Willie Shand heads for Perthshire, taking in glorious autumnal views along the way.  

Factfile

The Duke of Atholl is the only subject of the Crown permitted to have his own private army - the Atholl Highlanders.

Some who have visited Killiecrankie have witnessed strange things: gory visions of battle scenes, an unexplained red glow over the battlefield, and being chased by ghostly figures.

The predecessor to the present Garry Bridge was built in 1770 to replace a ferry that operated further downstream and which, three years earlier, had capsized, drowning all aboard except the ferryman.

Killiecrankie was the only battle the Jacobites, despite being outnumbered, ever won.

WHEN I stop off at Garry Bridge, three miles north of Pitlochry, it's to view the tree-filled Pass of Killiecrankie in all its autumn glory.

The view over the river and away to Creag Eallaich is breathtaking.

It's eight a.m. and the car park at the western end of the bridge is empty as I pull my boots on and make a start on my picnic lunch.

If I eat it now, I won't need to carry it!

Having seen little rain recently, there’s not much water in the Garry.

What there is, though, will soon be joining forces with the River Tummel, and then, in due course, the Tay both prized salmon rivers.

This morning am heading for a less well-known viewpoint on an easy five-mile circuit.

While Schiehallion, Ben Lawers, Beinn a’ Ghlo and Perthshire’s other high tops attract walkers in their droves, not so many have heard of Craig Fonvuick.

It is, after all, only a mere 1,345 feet high.

As you'll discover, however, this wee hill can be every bit as rewarding, and is definitely one to save for a good day.

From the car park, cut through the woods to join the minor single-track road for Tenandry Kirk.

As the road steadily climbs through the forest, the birds are singing.