A scenic drive, a train journey, a fabulous moorland walk and possibly the best High Tea ever?
Ok, we are going to drive to Rannoch Station, catch a train one stop north, then walk back across the moor to Rannoch Station Tearoom, for a real treat.
You need to plan this as there are no trains on a Sunday morning and Rannoch Station Tearoom is closed on a Friday. You also need to equip as for a hill walk, carry some light refreshments and do not go without midge repellent on the moor. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on trains and up to two dogs per adult travel free.
Drive north from Pitlochry towards Killiecrankie on the A924, ignore the A9 and continue straight onto the B8019. After 8 miles turn left at the bridge over the River Garry (still B8019) and follow this road along the banks of Loch Tummel to Tummel Bridge. At the T- junction there, turn right onto the B846. The road passes Dunalastair Reservoir to Kinloch Rannoch.
Keep going on the B846 along the banks of Loch Rannoch to the very end at Rannoch Station. From Pitlochry this is 37 miles, but it is a no hurry – no worry drive so plan for about 1 hour 30 minutes at least; longer if you plan to stop at the likes of The Queens View. The station car park is free. If you forgot the midge repellent – buy some now in the Tearoom!
Take a morning train, either the 08.46 or the 11.09, north to the next station, Corrour, which is the highest railway station in the UK. Our walk begins here, 11 miles on part of an ancient track known to generations of cattle thieves and drovers as Rathad nan Eilean – The Road to the Isles. Allow 4 – 5 hours at an easy pace.
Take the main track east from the station (there are no roads) for 1 mile to the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel where you will find a new track on your right, it heads south briefly, then turns eastwards for a slow climb to Peter’s Rock (plaque there explains who he was). Make sure you take this track, it runs parallel to the south shore of the loch, but is not the one closest to it. After 1.5 miles you will come to Peter’s Rock, and from here the path turns south and you can take in some of the longest, clearest views of Rannoch Moor, Blackwater Reservoir and mountains in every direction.
There is a Munro, Carn Dearg, just above you to the left and a great detour if you’re feeling strong. You can walk back down a long ridge parallel to the path from the top and rejoin farther along. Otherwise, keep to the path and about 3 miles later you pass the ruin of Corrour Old Lodge, once Scotland’s highest shooting lodge, at 1723 feet above sea level. It’s been uninhabited since 1899, but still makes a good place to stop for some refreshments amongst the remains.
Follow the same path down, and you will eventually cross two bridges. Then 2 miles downhill to the B846. Turn right onto the road and less than 2 miles later you will arrive back at Rannoch Station. You can see the station from many miles away, don’t be tempted to cross the moor, stay on the path.
The Tearoom is open every day, March to October (except Fridays), 8.30am to 4.30pm where you can enjoy a very well earned refreshment, great food and some terrific home baking.