Best historic walk

Published on Tuesday 15 July 2008 20:07

WALK through Scottish history

PITCARMICK HUT CIRCLES, Kirkmichael, Perthshire: Go back 3,000 years in history and feel the atmosphere of ancient times at Pitcarmick, in north-east Perth. After crossing the Ardle bridge at Kirkmichael park, near the community centre, take the Cateran trail south to Pitcarmick and then head west past hut circles to Pitcarmick Loch. The hut circles themselves are situated on a large moor, surrounded by round houses once used by pre-historic dwellers dating back to around the 7th century AD. To return, you could choose the more ambitious route and go north, looping back round via Mains of Glenderby and Balnald.

CULTUECHAR: Roman and Pict faced each other nearly 2,000 years ago along the Highland Line. Facing this is a magnificent defensive earthworks near the top of Culteuchar, which looks across the plain towards Ardoch. From Fotheringdenny take the path up along Drimfinn Hill and up to Culteuchar. From here a walkway takes you up Westhall Hill to the fort where the views are breathtaking. Descend the GlenEarn and return via the lower fort and Strathallan.

DUNFERMLINE ABBEY www.dunfermlineabbey.co.uk: About 1,000 years ago, King Malcolm Canmore and Saint Margaret established their capital at Dunfermline. Pittencrieff Park, to the west of the city, was donated to the city by Andrew Carnegie. Go by the west entrance to the pavilion, pass the old railway engine and head under and over bridges. On the slope is the ruin of King Malcolm’s castle and at the top of the hill you come to Dunfermline Abbey, and the Palace, where King Charles I was born. The abbey is wonderfully preserved and the newer church has the body of Robert the Bruce below the pulpit. Go back west through the Louise Carnegie gates, returning to the car park.

STIRLING www.stirling.co.uk: In 1314, the fortunes of Scotland were turned towards independence with the Battle of Bannockburn. The main site of the battle is not where the heritage centre is, but at Redhall. Leave your vehicle at Alex Smith’s pub at Loanhead on the A905 and explore behind it, where the English were drawn to cross the Bannockburn. The rest is history. From there, go to the town centre and walk up the side of the castle on the west side. Enter the cemetery before the castle and ascend to the Lady’s View from where the ladies of the court once watched tournaments below.

CULROSS: The development of trade with the Low Countries is typified in the well preserved village of Culross. Start at the car park to the west and take the path north to the magnificent grassy avenue. At the gate, go right on the old road where stagecoaches traversed and examine the old kirk. Proceed to the T-junction and go down the hill to the abbey, which you may wish to enter. Go down the hill and enter the village, delighting in the quaint cobbled streets and the palace of George Bruce.