The Salmon Run - Dundee to Pitlochry
The ‘Salmon Run’ starts at the junction with National Route 1 at the Tay Road Bridge in Dundee and follows National Route 77 westwards. The route passes close by Dundee train station and Scott’s ship RSS Discovery and then goes alongside the Tay Estuary on the traffic-free Dundee Green Circular Cycle Route to Invergowrie. Here the route turns left and heads into the rich, flat farmland of the Carse of Gowrie, following minor roads towards Errol.
Just before Errol, a right turn will take you to the Cairn o’ Mhor Winery where wine tastings can be had and local wine bought. On from Errol, the route heads to St Madoes, crosses the A90 on a flyover and into Glencarse. Take a left out of Glencarse towards Perth. A steep climb takes you up Kinnoull Hill where a short detour at the car park leads to a fantastic viewpoint over the Tay valley. Sweeping down into Perth, you cross the river and immediately turn left to swing under the bridge onto a traffic-free path through the broad parkland of North Inch. If you want to stop in Perth for a bit, continue straight on from the bridge to reach the town centre. Continuing to Almondbank, follow the path alongside the River Tay and then west along the River Almond, passing a wide weir on the way – a good picnic spot. From Almondbank, the route rejoins the road network and continues north on minor roads to Pitcairn Green, an 18th century planned industrial village, and to Bankfoot.
After Bankfoot, continue north on the B867, through Birnam Wood, onto a cyclepath alongside the A9, past the railway station, under the A9 and into Birnam. At the Birnam Institute you can visit the Beatrice Potter visitor centre and garden. Head over the Tay into Dunkeld where there is a cathedral and the Little Houses of Dunkeld, picturesque houses built in the early 1700s, which are now homes for local people. The twin towns of Dunkeld and Birnam provide excellent bases for walking and cycling through the fine woodland in the area. Head straight along the main street of Dunkeld until you reach the gates to the Dunkeld Hilton House Hotel on the left. Follow the drive and riverside path past the hotel and along the river until the path takes you up and over the railway and the Tay again. Follow the B898 to the listed bridge at Logierait where the route joins National Route 7 (Inverness to Glasgow).
Cross the A827 and go up a steep lane to reach a quiet road heading north. Just before Pitlochry, you pass under the A9.and, finally, cross the Tay again on the suspension footbridge into Pitlochry. The town has plenty to see and do – there are 41 miles of scenic walks, two whisky distilleries, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, and the famous fish ladder where, at the right time of year, you can see salmon continuing their journey up the Tay, back to their spawning grounds upstream.
Natural attractions:
- River Tay
- Tay Estuary
- Perth Big Tree Country
Visitor attractions:
- Camperdown Country Park, Dundee
- Discovery Point & RRS Discovery, Dundee
- HM Frigate Unicorn, Dundee
- Mills Observatory, Dundee
- Sensational Dundee
- University of Dundee Botanic Gardens
- Verdant Works, Dundee
- Bell's Cherrybank Gardens, Perth
- Caithness Glass Visitor Centre, Perth
- Black Watch Museum, Perth
- Branklyn Garden, Perth
- Huntingtower Castle
- Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park
- Perth Museum and Art Gallery
- Scone Palace
- Little Houses of Dunkeld
- Bell's Blair Athol Distillery
- Fish Ladder, Pitlochry
- Scottish Plant Hunters' Garden, Pitlochry
Route submitted by: Sustrans
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Route map
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Key route details
- Region/Area:
Central Scotland
- Distance:
54 miles
- Time needed:
1 -2 days
- Classification:
Challenge
- Traffic:
Mixed
- Surface:
Tarmac
- NCN Route:
National Route 77
- Start:
Discovery Point, Dundee
- Finish:
Pitlochry Town Centre
- Cycle hire:
- Various bike shops in Dundee
- Various bike shops in Pitlochry
- Access:
Train stations at Dundee, Perth, Dunkeld & Birnam and Pitlochry.
- Maps and guides
-
The Salmon Run NN77 £3.99
- Links with:
National Route 7, National Route 1
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