Peel and Kirriemuir, Angus/Perth & Kinross
Grade: Easy road route
Distance: 22 miles/38km
Time: 2-3 hours
THIS route starts close to the tumultuous and impressive Reekie Linn and the falls are worth a quick visit before jumping on your bike. A path runs through the gate at the far end of the car park so follow it through woods with the increasing roar of the River Isla below you. Take great care as the soft sandstone becomes muddy and slippery in wet weather and there is a steep and unprotected drop from the viewpoint into the gorge.
From this viewpoint you can look back upriver and get the best impression of the Linn, two separate falls that come together in times of spate to produce a set of thunderous cataracts that are as impressive as any.
Over the millennia it’s clear that the waters of the River Isla have carved out this deep and impressive gorge from the soft sandstone. It’s reckoned the two falls have drops of 6 metres and 18 metres to a deep, black pool where there is a cave known locally as Black Dub. A local legend suggests an outlaw used to hide there until one day the devil appeared in the shape of a huge black dog. The outlaw was so frightened that he gave himself up to the authorities.
Once I had my fill of the falls I got on the bike and turned right out of the car park, aware that I had a bit of a climb before my legs were warmed up. I followed the road as it turned right and eventually flattened out as it passed the excellent Peel Farm – a great place for a coffee and a scone after the ride. The promise of it acted as a spur…
Not far after Peel Farm, look out for the lovely stretch of water known as the Loch of Lintrathen and beyond it the gentle swell of the hills of the Angus Glens. This is a popular haunt of fishermen and I’m pretty certain I once spotted an osprey here.
The road begins to get a bit undulating here with some sharp turns, particularly through Bridgend of Lintrathen and Kirkton of Kingoldrum, two lovely little settlements where time appears to have stood still. It’s said the local church was dedicated to St Medan and on the hillside close to the church lies the remains of St Medan’s well, although the water has now apparently been diverted to serve a local house.
Although Kirkton of Kingoldrum only stands at about 600 feet above sea level, you get the feeling that it’s a lot higher and that sensation is emphasised on the run in to Kirriemuir – you get the distinct feeling you’re running downhill, along past the Loch of Kinnordy and into Kirrie, the birthplace of J.M.Barrie of Peter Pan fame.
In fact you only touch the western fringes of Kirriemuir on this ride. I turned right into the town and then quickly turned right again onto the A926, fully aware now that the sensation I enjoyed of running downhill from Kirkton had nothing to do with hills. It was the wind behind me.
Now I was cycling into the teeth of it along an undulating road that was far from unpleasant, other than the dreadful road surface. The road was surprisingly quiet too, I had expected an A-road to be much busier but such was the wind that I simply had to get my head down and get on with it, through the small hamlets of Westmuir, Littleton of Airlie, Airlie itself and Ruthven, passing fields full of spring lambs, and roadsides bedecked with daffodils.
At the large roundabout just before Alyth I turned off on the B954, fully aware I had a five-mile climb back to my starting point. A stiff crosswind didn’t make it any easier but in fact there was only one big climb of substance, up and through the narrow gap between Hill of Loyal and Barry Hill with its summit prehistoric fort. Soon I was crossing the Burn of Auchrannie and out of the saddle on the shorter hill climb back to the Bridge of Craigisla. I was more than ready for my coffee and cake at Peel Farm, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Information Maps: OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheets 53 (Blairgowrie & Alyth) and 54 (Dundee & Montrose)
Start/Finish: Bridge of Craigisla car park (GR: NO252538)
Distance: 22 miles/38km
Time: 2-3 hours
Terrain: Easy road cycling
Coffee & Cake: Peel Farm Coffee Shop, 01575 560205, www.peelfarm.com Link to digital map: https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/route/5841914/Rte-26-C12-Peel-and-Kirriemuir © Crown copyright 2020 Ordnance Survey. Media 059/20.
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