ABERNETHY, in south-east Perthshire, is one of a number of pretty villages found across Scotland that all have something in common – they are often passed but conceal a hidden gem. The glen above Abernethy and the hill that rises from it – Castle Law – are lovely places to enjoy a stroll in peaceful countryside.
This walk starts by the 72ft Round Tower. It was built in the ninth century and used to keep monks and their valuables safe. Now it is a great place to climb up and enjoythe expansive views it affords. If the tower is closed, keys are available at th
e excellent Culdees Tearoom (Tuesdays to Saturdays, 9.30am to 5.15pm).
You quickly leave the village behind, and views open out over fields to the Tay and north-west to the mountains of Perthshire. You then enter a pleasant wooded glen carrying the Ballo Burn. This part of the route is known as the Witches Road, after 22 women were taken this way to be burned to death on Abernethy Hill in the 16th century. Your eye is drawn to Castle Law, across the glen, the site of an Iron Age hill fort that commands a great vantage point.
At the end of the glen a gorse-lined country lane leads back down towards Abernethy and the start of a track up to Castle Law. (Those who don't feel they can manage the steep climb to the top can miss this out and continue in the same direction back to the village.)
The toil, which is short, is worth it for the extensive views, which include the mountains of Angus and Perthshire and the point where the river Earn joins the Tay.
The remnants of an Iron Age fort can still be seen at the top, although you might need some imagination or an archaeology qualification in order to understand them.
From the bottom of Castle Law, the country lane continues to a quiet track that leads down past fields back into Abernethy. It is rough underfoot in places so wear boots and take warm clothes, especially if you're climbing Castle Law.
Distance 3 miles (or 2 if you are not climbing Castle Law).
Height climbed 650ft (or 300 if you miss out Castle Law).
Time 2 to 2.5 hours (take off 40 minutes to an hour if you miss out Castle Law).
Map OS Landranger 58.
Park In the centre of Abernethy, there is roadside parking near the distinctive Round Tower. To get there, leave the M90 at junction nine and follow the A912 east (signed for Glenfarg) for about 1.5 miles. At a roundabout, go left to follow the A913 for just over 1.5 miles to Abernethy. Brown signs will then direct you to the Round Tower.
In summary From the Round Tower, walk south, past the Market Cross, and go left. Take the first road on the right, Kirk Wynd, and follow it up to the edge of the village. The road turns into a track (with a signpost to Craigden), which you follow. At another signpost (for Abernethy Glen), the track ends and a path goes off to the right.
After entering woodland on the slopes of the glen, the path drops down steps to a wooden footbridge. To cut the walk short, you can cross this and follow the edge of a field to reach a road at a point where a path goes up Castle Law – see below for a description of the route back to Abernethy.
The main path follows the Ballo Burn upstream to Craigden. At the end of the path you reach a road, where you go right. After about a quarter of a mile, go left on to a track up the side of Castle Law. The track goes up the right side of the hill, then narrows into a path that zigzags up to the top. Return to the road and go left.
After about 100 yards, go right, following a sign for the 'Rough Glen' path to Abernethy. As the path reaches the edge of the village it turns into a track, which comes out at a road opposite the Nurse Peattie Memorial Garden. Go right here and follow the twisting road back to the Round Tower.
Refreshments Try the Culdees Tearoom near the Round Tower, at the start of the walk. Otherwise, the village offers the Crees Inn.
While you are in the area After wandering the streets of Abernethy, you could head for Perth and its various attractions – which include the Black Watch Museum (01738 638152, www.theblackwatch.co.uk), in Balhousie Castle.
Alternatively, head down the M90 to junction five to find the RSPB's Vane Farm (01577 862355,
www.rspb.org.uk), on the B9097 by the shore of Loch Leven. It has a number of hides and walking trails. There is also a cafe and an observation room.
