WALK 18
GLEN LEDNOCK

Distance	6.5km (4 miles) circular.
Ascent	200 metres approx.
Start and Finish	School Road car park, Comrie.
Terrain	Tracks and good paths with some rough ground. One steep descent. Boots recommended.
Map	‘Walks Around Comrie’ leaflet, available locally.
Public Transport	Reasonable bus service from Perth to Comrie.
Refreshments	Reasonable choice in Comrie.
Toilets	Dalginross Bridge, Comrie.

This very varied walk includes woodland, open glen, a prominent monument and a superb waterfall. From the car park, follow the road and path east past the primary school. Cross the access road to Comrie House and near another car park, cross the bridge over the River Lednock and turn left.
   The route is initially beside the fast-flowing river, which you will see in more spectacular mode later on the walk. The path runs through attractive mixed woodland and before long starts to climb as it enters Laggan Wood. A short spur path up to the right leads to a viewpoint from which you can look across the village to Strathearn. Comrie was mainly laid out to a plan in the late 18th century. Its name comes from Gaelic words meaning a confluence or ford.
   Resume the main path and continue climbing round several bends. At one point a clearing on the left gives a view across to the Melville Monument. This area was known for its oak woods in the past but recent planting has been coniferous. Birdlife includes small raptors such as sparrow hawks and kestrels and the raucous jay, whose bright plumage you might spot. Red squirrels and roe deer also live here.
   The path runs through the woodland for a considerable way, undulating gently before it begins to descend. Leaving the woods behind, the path is closer to the river and then a left turn leads across to a footbridge. This was always know as the Shakkin’ Brig as it rocked when you crossed; the current bridge is more stable, which is no doubt safer but does seem to take some of the fun away.
   Walk up to the road and turn right, enjoying the views up the attractive Glen Lednock. In about 250m, go left on a clear track, climbing steadily across the open hill. This is the old Maam Road, the name coming from a word meaning a pass through the hills. There are more good views as you climb. To the right of the path, but not easy to find, is the Kinkhoast Well, whose waters were said to cure ailments including whooping cough.
   At the top of the rise, look for a path on the left, back into the trees. This path climbs steadily through fairly dense woodland. It meets another path and then a short steep scramble leads you to the Melville Monument on Dun More. The 22m high obelisk was erected in 1822 in memory of Henry Dundas, Lord Melville, one of the most powerful men in Scotland.
   He was Lord Advocate from 1775 to 1783 and also held other important posts. He promoted laws which improved working conditions for the poor, and also helped to lift some of the brutal restrictions imposed after the Jacobite Rising was quashed in 1746. He died in 1811. Dundas had a country estate at Dunira, not far from here.
   The view from the monument is outstanding, as befits its position at 256m, right on the Highland Boundary Fault. You look across and along Strathearn and can also see up Glen Lednock towards Ben Chonzie. Comrie’s position on the fault line (which runs from Helensburgh to Stonehaven) has in the past made it liable to earth tremors, and the world’s first seismometer was set up here in 1840. There is an Earthquake House at Ross, on the south side of the village.
   When you are ready to leave, descend carefully back to the path junction and turn right. A steep and sometimes rough descent takes you down to the road. Turn right and soon follow the sign left to the viewing platform for the De’il’s Cauldron. This spectacular waterfall was formed when the water cut a narrow passage through the rock, a type of sandstone which can fracture into blocks. The process is still continuing.

   Follow the path above the river as it winds through the mature woodland. There are still oaks here, though they are no longer harvested for timber. You pass a smaller waterfall inevitably known as the Wee Cauldron, which can be seen by taking a loop path on the left.
   Not long after this, the path leaves the river and heads off to the right, still in the woodland. This is Balloch Wood, the name (like Maam earlier) meaning a pass.
   The path takes a final curve to the right and reaches the road at a gateway which can be rather muddy. Turn left and walk down Dundas Street (named for Lord Melville) back to the car park.
   There are other good walks around Comrie; the path leaflet will give you more detail.