This was a short overnighter in the hills wrapped around other events and bookended by the beautiful Birks. It started on a hot afternoon as we sweated our way up the lush, wooded gorge of the Birks, grateful to pause at waterfalls and interesting fungi.
From the Birks, we struck out across the bleak Urlar grouse moors. A smattering of trees in the lower reaches of the glen provided interest and a tin-roofed hut provided a back rest for a chocolate stop.
Before too long we were hunting for a camp spot and a grass shelf by the river provided the only suitable place for miles to pitch our tents. In the evening the sound of light rain on nylon added to the gentle gurgle of the river.
Next day our track climbed to meet the summer hill road between Amulree and Kenmore. Here swirling clouds were a backdrop to the photogenic hut on the loch shore.
From here, a series of interconnecting paths and tracks took us back to the Birks through woodlands, plantations and open pastures.
It was wonderful on the way back to follow the river down the gorge and eventually pop out at the Watermill Cafe, since surely the main reason for doing hiking is to make space for cake at the end.
Start/finish: Aberfeldy
Public transport: Buses from Dunkeld and Pitlochry connect to the Inverness train line.
My route: Followed the footpath signed the Birks of Aberfeldy from the village centre, sticking to the west side of the gorge. Where it met the bridge over the Falls of Moness, took the footpath that continued on the west side and met the Urlar Road. Followed this road uphill, detouring to the left around the farm at Urlar. After here it was dirt track which we followed to Amulree-Kenmore road and turned right downhill. At the first cottage a track leaves the road on the right. This is now the Rob Roy Way and we followed it back to Aberfeldy, this time coming back down the east side of the Birks gorge.
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