Cateran Trail

The Caterans were Highland raiders who terrorised lowland communities through the medieval period — and the glens they used as escape routes form the basis of this circular trail through Highland Perthshire. The route loops through some of the most beautiful but least-visited glens in Scotland: Glen Shee, Glenlyon, the Angus Glens and the Braes of Angus.

For trail runners it is a two to three day challenge on good but remote terrain. The surfaces are mostly hill tracks, drove roads and riverside paths. The route visits the Spittal of Glenshee (classic ski resort area in winter) and the high moorland sections above Glen Isla give the most demanding terrain.

The circular format means you return to your car — popular with runners doing the trail in stages.

Blairgowrie to Alyth (~12 km): The start, through the Perthshire farmland.

Alyth to Kirkmichael (~28 km): Through the Braes of Angus and Glen Isla. The route climbs to around 600 m on the Angus moorland.

Kirkmichael to Spittal of Glenshee (~20 km): Along Glen Beag into Glen Shee. The Spittal of Glenshee is the highest point of the route.

Spittal to Blairgowrie (~43 km): Down the long Shee valley and through Glenlyon farmland back to the start.

Start/finish: Blairgowrie, Perthshire. Bus connections from Perth (train to Edinburgh and Glasgow).

Best time: May to October. Glen Shee is a ski area in winter — the high sections may be snow-covered until April.