Enochdhu to Spittal of Glenshee on the Cateran Trail

Donald Stewart

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Walk the final section of the Cateran Trail through a forest plantation and across a remote grouse moor. The visit to Glenshee is optional and you can simply return from the col at An Lairig, where there are spectacular views.

The drop down into Glenshee is about a mile and a half and around 140 metres of descent, which you will have to climb up again. However, there is a hotel where you can refuel. Walkers are very welcome (though it is often visited by coach parties so can be very busy).

Some of the return route retraces your outward steps, but there is a worthwhile diversion for nearly half of it. This provides some great views from a wide grassy ridge; in fact the return feels quite different from your outward journey.

The Cateran Trail is a waymarked route of 64 miles that follows old drove roads and ancient tracks. The Caterans were marauders who flourished in the area from the Middle Ages until the 17th Century, stealing cattle from their richer neighbours. Enochdhu (the black meadow or moor) was reputedly the gathering point for the Caterans following a raid.

Spittal of Glenshee is close by the Glenshee ski centre, some of the slopes of which you can see from the col at An Lairig.

Scotland - Northeast Scotland - Perth and Kinross - Glenshee

Features

Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Woodland

3/16/2014 - Tom and Joyce Kay

We enjoyed this walk in November and reversed the route after the snows. If anything the views were even better. By continuing from Wpt 7 on the same heading (60°)up the shoulder of Uchd nan Carn on a faint quad bike track until the fence is met at NO 096 680, then following it left to the gate at An Lairig, the descent to and climb from the bothy is missed out. If following the original walk instructions, leaving the gate at An Lairig by climbing the fence to 096680 and finding the quad bike track on approx 240° (Ben Lawers in the distance) the return to the bothy and climb up to Wpt 7 is avoided making a super circular walk. Upper Lunch Bothy although marked Walkers Welcome is locked. Look out for deer. We saw a herd of over 200!!

11/22/2013 - Tom and Joyce Kay

All Cateran Trail waymarks and great views in place! The diversion is well worth while as views are great but the bonus is missing out the forest.

7/6/2011 - Colin Young

There were no annoying dogs in evidence when I did this walk - all I heard was one animal barking from within the farm buildings! The walk is all on excellent paths or tracks and although you climb quite high there are no excessively steep bits. There is a great sense of remoteness at the outer end and the walk culminates in a spectacular view down to the Spittal of Glenshee It is impossible to get lost as the local estate has supplied clear waymarking signs!

6/5/2007 - Michael B rown

I have been on this walk on a number of occasions, including leading a Ramblers walk. Yes sometimes the dogs are about but as long as you have a walking pole they are fine, most of them are very old and just content to sit in the sun, so do not let the dogs stop you doing this walk.

3/25/2007 - Peter Crocket

Was forced to turn back shortly after the start, ref point 2 or 067638, as a pack of farm dogs, though not too hostile outside boundary of farm buildings, would not let me and my colleague pass through the farm on the designated route. In many years of rambling this is first occasion dogs have halted a walk. Best of of it is there must have been people around who were aware of what was causing such a commotion in a remote place on a Sunday morning.