Rob Roy Way

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Rob Roy Way
Landschaft am Rob Roy Way bei Killin.jpg
The Rob Roy Way near Killin
Length127 kilometres (79 mi) or 154 kilometres (96 mi) [1]
Location Stirling and Perth and Kinross, Scotland
Established2002
Designation Scotland's Great Trails
Trailheads Drymen
56°03′57″N4°27′09″W / 56.0658°N 4.4524°W / 56.0658; -4.4524 (Rob Roy Way (Drymen trailhead))
Pitlochry
56°42′08″N3°43′57″W / 56.7022°N 3.7326°W / 56.7022; -3.7326 (Rob Roy Way (Pitlochry trailhead))
Use Walking
Elevation gain/loss2,325 metres (7,628 ft) gain [1]
Waymark Yes
Website http://www.robroyway.com
Signage on the Rob Roy Way south of Loch Tay. Rob roy way sign.jpg
Signage on the Rob Roy Way south of Loch Tay.

The Rob Roy Way is a Scottish long distance footpath that runs from Drymen in Stirling to Pitlochry in Perth and Kinross. The path was created in 2002, [2] and takes its name from Rob Roy MacGregor, a Scottish folk hero and outlaw of the early 18th century. It traverses countryside that he knew and travelled frequently. [3] The route crosses the Highland Boundary Fault, a geological fault where the Highlands meet the Lowlands. Views from the trail overlook Loch Lubnaig, Loch Earn, Loch Venachar and Loch Tay. [3] The way is 127 kilometres (79 mi) in length if the direct route along the southern shore of Loch Tay and the River Tay is followed between Ardtalnaig and Aberfeldy. An optional loop also links these places via Amulree: choosing this option increases the length by a further 27 kilometres (17 mi) to 154 kilometres (96 mi). [1] [4]

The Rob Roy Way was designated as one of Scotland's Great Trails by NatureScot in spring 2012, [5] and also links to two further Great Trails, meeting the Great Trossachs Path near Callander, and the West Highland Way just north of Drymen. [1] [6] The Rob Roy Way also shares sections of route with Route 7 of the National Cycle Network, which also links Drymen and Pitlochry. [7] Shared sections include the minor road on the south side of Loch Tay and the section following the route of the former Callander and Oban Railway, including Glen Ogle viaduct. [6]

Besides Drymen and Pitlochry, the way passes through Aberfoyle, Callander, Strathyre, Killin, Amulree and Aberfeldy. [8]

About 3,000 people use the path every year, of whom about 450 complete the entire route. [9]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Rob Roy Way". Scotland's Great Trails. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  2. "Rob Roy Way Guidebook". Rucksack Readers. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  3. 1 2 "The Rob Roy Way". Walking Scotland. VisitScotland. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  4. "The Walking Route". SCSupport Ltd. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  5. "Walking News - Scotland's Great Trails". SCSupport Ltd. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  6. 1 2 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50000. Sheet 57 (Stirling & The Trossachs).
  7. "Lochs and Glens North". Sustrans. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  8. "The Rob Roy Way Long Distance Walking Route". I-Net Support. Retrieved 14 October 2009.
  9. "Scotland's networks of paths and trails: key research findings" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. August 2018. p. 6. Retrieved 26 September 2018.

56°27′38″N4°17′45″W / 56.4605°N 4.2957°W / 56.4605; -4.2957 (Rob Roy Way)