Strathyre & Clackmannan
You are Here: Scotland; East; StrathyreThe forecast was wet. Very wet. The only hope of dry weather was to head south east and try to do something before the slowly advancing rain reached me. I therefore headed down towards Callander, only realising once I had passed Crianlarich that I had forgotten to pick up the maps...
The Cycle Track
I had a number of options in my mind - the Strathyre cycle track, a walk from Dunblane into Stirling, the Clackmannan - Dunfermline cycle track. However, having left my maps behind it was the first of these that I favoured, as I knew where to park and start from! The rain was not on my side however. A brief respite at Lix Toll was only a precursor to a heavy shower at Lochearnhead, and so it went on as I trundled down the east side of Loch Lubnaig. Eventually, I reached Kilmahog and pulled into the little car park just over the bridge. It was dry, momentarily, and so I decided to take a risk.After two miles of no more than misty drizzle, the rain resumed on an exposed stretch leading to the Strathyre Forest Holiday Park. By the time I found a tree to shelter under it has eased off once more. I was now alongside Loch Lubnaig, heading north on the old railway line. For some reason, there are two sections where the cycle track climbs steeply up, before dropping back to the old trackbed. Presumably this is to bypass long-demolished bridges. At the head of the loch lies the small village of Strathyre, which I quickly cycled round before returning southwards.
Back at Kilmahog, I headed south, into Callander, simply to complete this section of the line. The next bit south heads into the Trossachs, with steep climbs over to Aberfoyle, so I'm not too sure if I'll be up to that! To the north, the cycletrack passes through Glenogle to Killin, a much gentler route. I also hope to ride up through Balquhidder and climb the hillside at the head of the glen, which will connect Callander Back to Home!.
