Glen Banvie and the Falls of Bruar – Highland Perthshire

This loop above Blair Atholl has plenty going for it. From stupendous mountain views and glorious woodland to a spectacularly cascading burn and stunning wildlife.

You begin from Blair Atholl station, pick up the path along the River Tilt, before venturing northwest to the hamlet of Old Blair. Use the bridge to cross the Banvie Burn and take the next right onto a waymarked path that follows the burn upstream. An avenue leads into Banvie Woods, where there’s a detour to a beguiling hilltop folly, known as the Whim.

After the woods, things open out, with the vast open moorland of Meall Reamhar and Meall Dubh rising to the right. After heading almost directly northwest for quite a while and venturing through a pine plantation, the path reaches its highest point before arcing around and beginning the long descent alongside Glen Bruar. Views across Loch Tummel and towards Schiehallion reveal themselves during this section, as you steadily lose height.

Soon, there’s a path to the right, which takes you to the spectacular Falls of Bruar. The waterfalls were immortalised by poet Robert Burns in his ‘The Humble Petition of Bruar Water’, which was written from the perspective of the tumbling cascades and urged the 4th Duke of Atholl to landscape the surroundings ‘wi’ tow’ring trees, and bonnie spreading bushes’. The fruits of his labours are clear to see today, as the area is resplendent with greenery.

After a loop taking in the sights, retrace your steps to the Glen Banvie Trail and follow it east back towards Blair Atholl, passing through some of Blair Castle’s lovely parkland.