The best cycling routes around Forest Of Alyth

Very nice on a bright sunny date.

A pleasant town with the expected shops etc. A good location for a planned break.

Glenisla Kirk, a small Gothic church built in 1821, is located at the west end of Kirkton of Glenisla on the B951. Originally part of a religious site dating back to the 13th century, it was first gifted to the Abbey of Cambuskenneth by King William the Lion and later transferred to the Abbey of Coupar Angus in 1311. After numerous repairs, the original church was replaced with the current structure. Now owned by the Glenisla Church Trust, it continues to serve the community with monthly informal evening services (April to December) and a Christmas Eve Watch Night Service. It also offers a venue for weddings and funerals, with local venues providing additional support.

Kirkton of Glenisla, an ancient farming community with Bronze Age and Pictish remains, has a deep ecclesiastical heritage reflected in its name, meaning "church town." From the 14th to 16th centuries, it was part of the lands of Coupar Angus Abbey, which influenced the area's farming development. After the Reformation, the lands were feued to the Ogilvy family, later Earls of Airlie, with Forter Castle remaining as a historical landmark. In the 19th century, the area became a romantic destination, attracting Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Glenisla also saw the construction of Brackny Bridge in 1824, designed by John Justice, marking a significant moment in the area's architectural history.

Built in 1824 by Dundee engineer John Justice, this 19-meter iron suspension bridge is the oldest of its kind in Scotland and served as a prototype for a larger version at the Haughs of Drimmie. Featuring a sheep gate at one end, it was likely built to help children from Auchenleish cross the River Isla to reach school. Damaged by extreme weather in 2021, it has since been repaired. Previously, a ford behind the manse allowed passage along the Coffin Road, used to transport coffins from Kilry to Glenisla Graveyard, but frequent spates have rendered it impassable.

Forter Castle, built in 1560 by the Ogilvys of Airlie, is a four-storey tower house that was restored in the 1990s after falling into ruin. Its strong defenses made it difficult to capture by surprise, and it withstood various attacks until 1640, when it was besieged by a force of 5,000 men with heavy artillery. The castle was at the heart of a personal feud between the Ogilvys and the Campbells, stemming from land disputes and religious differences. The feud escalated into violent raids, with the Campbells attacking Forter and its lands. In 1640, Archibald Campbell, the Earl of Argyll, led a campaign against the Ogilvys, ultimately razing the castle in an act of personal vengeance. The Countess of Ogilvy is said to have witnessed the destruction from a nearby hill, marking the end of an era for the Ogilvy family in Glenshee.

James Sandy, born in Alyth around 1766, overcame severe disabilities from two accidents to become a renowned inventor known as 'the Alyth Genius.' Living in what is now the Alyth Hotel, he crafted musical instruments, optical devices, clocks, artificial limbs, and false teeth, and even improved flax-spinning machinery. His most famous creation was a wooden-hinged snuff box with a concealed hinge that prevented clogging and sealed airtight. Sandy’s home became a hub for distinguished visitors, and his contributions to innovation were honored with a public-funded tombstone in the Alyth Arches graveyard.

Alyth, a historic town near the Perthshire–Angus border, has origins possibly dating back to the Picts and was first recorded in a 1200 charter by King William the Lion. It grew through agriculture and linen production in the 1700s, with further expansion after the railway's arrival in 1861, bringing textile mills and increased commerce. Today, Alyth thrives with a mix of local shops, a vibrant arts scene, and a growing tourism sector celebrating its rich natural and cultural heritage.