Outer Fife: Glen Tanar and the Dee

First "Outer Fife" route, with these I will post the full ride I did with any obvious alternatives.

Route Points: Glen Tanar, Cambus o' May, Dinnet
Route Type: Land Rover Tracks, Converted Railway and Public Roads
Access Type: Land Reform Act

Route Access:
Glen Tanar: Park at the Estate Car Park and head into the Glen.
Cambus O' May: Join the loop anywhere around here really.
Dinnet: Head towards the South Deeside road.

Description:
Starting at the Car Park in Glen Tanar either head into the Glen and onto the estate roads or go slightly back towards Aboyne and pick up the bridge across the river and turn right following paths along the river bank, this eventually leads to an estate road and onto 2 bridges, you can use either to get back across the river and onto the estate road throguh Glen Tanar. Failing to recross the river will result in you crossing the Mounth to the bakc of Kirriemuir which really isn't recomended.

Follow the Estate road past the Halfway Hut and after a while the clean road out to Mount Keen will turn to the left while a rougher road runs straight ahead, following this rougher road you will have a strenuous climb to the Black Moss, there is a house access after a short while on one of the hairpins.

Once you have got to the summit of the route at around 575m mark you are provided with a cracking 100m descent on rough trail passing the Black Moss Loch to a gate. Over the gate and in a little while you will plunge down the mountainside to the public road at Tombae.

At Tombae turn left and take the public road to a house access in around 1.5km.
This leads to a path along the river side to the Cambus O' May Suspension bridge.

Cross the suspension bridge and take the railway line to Dinnet, when you reach the public road at Dinnet turn right and cross the Dee.
Over the bridge there are a number of route options, including straight into the forest and follow the green signs.

Taking a left turn here follow the road until you reach a track with hosue signs for Oldhall and Tillycairn.
Follow this track up the hill (the path fro mthe junction meets on this climb at a green sign).

Stick on this track until taking the straightahead route jsut before Tillycairn, this clibms a bit more before descending to a cross roads with the public road.

You can again choose your route, either straight on through the forest and down t othe car park or as we did turn left and descend rapidly on the tarred public road to the junction with the road through Glen Tanar, turn right and in a short distance you will be back at the car park.

Map:

Gauldry to Bottomcraig

Route Points: Gauldry, Bottomcraig
Route Type: Path
Access Type: Right of Way

Route Access:
In Gauldry between the Church Hall and the shop there is a path throguh the fields.
At Bottomcraig heading South from the village and a field access leading to a grass path will be seen on the right hand side of the road.

Description:
This is a path between Gauldry Village and Balmerino Church, the path leaves the village near the church on the land side of the road, it's grassy and fairly steep, there are no real junctions so just head on down rapidly watching out for other users, it will eventually deposit you through a field access onto the Balmerino Road

Map:

Gauldry to Kilmany via Shambleton Woods

Route Points: Gauldry, Gauldry-Kilmany Road (See other post)
Route Type: Single Track
Access Type: Right of Way/ Land Reform Act

Route Access:
In Gauldry just along from the Kilmany road junction there is a path don behind some houses, this leads if followed back out to the road but a little further on. At the apex of this curve there is a path leading down to a field.

Gauldry - Kilmany Road: When Dandies Wood dissappears on the left (if descending) the wood on the right is Shambleton Woods, no clear route over the fence/wall was found by me but the worn paths should be findable, head on routes North West to get to the other side.

Description:
From the path in Gauldry the route descends along a field edge before climbing to Shanbleton woods on the left, although the OS show a route descending to Wester Kimany Farm I did not see this althoguh it could just be tractor trails throguh the fields as they may be worked by that farm. A path into Shambleton woods is clear throguh the wall and follow this on single track through the woods, the route undulates a fair bit and some speed can be got up but watch for small quagmires and large fallen brances. You will eventually find yourself at the wall with the Kilmany road on the other side. Clamber over the wall or through the fence and hit the road.

Map:

Gauldry to Kilmany

Route Points: Gauldry, Kilmany
Route Type: Farm Road
Access Type: Right of Way

Route Access:
In Gauldry follow the road in the village (rather than the main road) to the junction of Kilmany Road and Crawford Avenue. Although Kilmany road is the name of the road in the village (and signed) the track opposite really does go to Kilmany.

Kilmany: The road is on the "Local Access Only" junction on the other side of the A92 from the main village.

Description:
A steep hill on a rough farm road. It's fairly clear where to go when climbing, but not so when descending.
From the junction in Gauldry follow the road avoiding the branches off to the farm through the woods. This curves to the left before heading straight on past the woods and then starts to descend. A number of paths join the descent and there is a very rough sharp corner about mid way. Although you will spend most time descending in this direction there is a short sharp climb to negotiate just after you think the descent is complete, the reward is another sharp descent!

Map:

Kedlock Feus to Rathillet

Route Points: Kilmany to Cupar Road at Kedlock Feus, Rathillet to Cupar Road.
Route Type: Overgrown Tractor Trail
Access Type: Land Reform Act

Route Access:

Kedlock Feus: Slightly down hill of the Kedlock Feus junction there is a farm trail leading towasrds Kedlock Feus.

Rathillet: Climbing the hill pass the Darklaw road on the left and then follow the next farm access on the Left. a trail is visible between walls at a corner on the farm road, pick this up for the trail.

Description:
A very overgrown route when I tried it and there is also farm roads in the area that link up with this.

From the Kilmany to Cupar road pick up the rough farm track until it divergest to the left into Kedlock Feus, here the trail goes straight on through the trees (althrough you can go round this via the farm) on grass, the trail from the farm rejoins on the left in a few meters and this trial continues on the grass until it joins a farm trail at a left hand bend. Follow the farm trail to the road or follow the field edges up Darklaw.

Map:

Craigsanquhar to Kedlock Feus

Route Points: Logie Road, Denbrae, Kedlock Feus
Route Type: Path
Access Type: Land Reform Act

Route Access:
Logie Road: On the logie road there is a pair of corners describable as 90 Left followed by 90 Right. The access is through the gate at the corner of the 2 nearest Logie.

Denbrae: At Denbrae Farm there is a farm road leading towards the path on the Logie side of the shed. This lands you in the middle of the route

Kedlock Feus: At the Kedlock Feus Public road junction the trail leads off opposite the Feus road.

Description:
From the Logie end go through the gate off the road and follow the trail round to the left, this can be overgrown or sticky, this will eventually lead to the junction with the farm road from Denbrae, and on to the road at Kedlock Feus again on a path.

Map:

Dairsie to Craigsanquhar

Route Points: Dairsie, Craigsanquhar
Route Type: Farm Road
Access Type: Land Reform Act

Route Access:
Dairsie: On the road past the school descend to the 2nd jucntion on the left.
Craigsanquhar: Just past Denbrae farm or about 500m after Craigsanquhar Hotel on the Logie road a narrow track descends between the houses.

Description:
This is a tough climb or rapid descent and the route is a clear rough road. There are a couple of junctions on route but clearly lead into farm yards.

Map:

Pitormie to Dairsie

Route Points: Pitormie, Dairsie
Route Type: Farm Road
Access Type: Right of Way

Route Access:
Pitormie: This is a fair distance along the road from the Pitcullo Junction, however there is a rough track beside the road if you woudl rather cycle there.

Dairsie: Find the school road and passing the school on the left descend to a couple of junctions on the left. This is the road to Pitormie and is well signed and used.

Description:
Take the junction at Pitormie (easily missed) and follow the road to a junction, go left and follow the road into the back of Dairsie.

Map:

Airdit/Cuplashill to Pitcullo (Thai Teak)

Route Points: Airdit. Pitcullo
Route Type: Single Track and farm road
Access Type: Land Reform, Right of Way

Route Access:
Airdit: From either the Logie Road or Cuplashill follow the signs to Airdit and thn diverge onto the right of way through the trees.
Pitcullo: Climb the hill slightly from the junction and take the first right.

Description:
Taking a down hill route...
Descend to where the road and path diverge close to Airdit house, follow the path throguh the trees (can be very muddy) down hill. Keep following the path and out into a field margin road, this then leads onto the road.

Map:

Cuplashill to Balmullo

Route Points: Cuplashill, Balmullo
Route Type: Farm Road
Access Type: Land Reform Act

Route Access:
Cuplashill: can be access from either the Logie road or from Airdit (See Cuplas to Pitcullo route)
Balmullo: The access here is either from one of the paths in from the BurnsideHall section of the village or through the farm with a forestry sign marked "Cuplas Hill".

Description:

From the Logie road join the rough road (Not the Quarry road) towards Cuplas hill, straight on at the first junction and then the take the next left, (Road to Airdit is straight on) this leads through the farm where the car park is.
There may be some trails in the woods around here.
The road then descends to Balmullo and either follow to the main road or take a side path into the "Burnside Hall" estate.

Map:

Straiton to St Michaels

Route Points: North Straiton Farm, St Michaels, Lucklaw Hill
Route Type: Farm Roads
Access Type: Land Reform Act

Route Access:
North Straiton Farm: Access from any route.
St Michaels: Not strictly in St Mikes there is a road on the right a few hundred meters in from the main junction. The main road is reasonably busy.
Lucklaw Hill: This route takes in some "Yellow" road which is the access from Balmullo/St Michaels.

Description:
Fron North Straiton the road drops steeply before climbing the same height again to South Straiton, turn left and descend again to the public road (not obvious), a road then leads off on the left, follow this down past St Michaels Tippers and to the junction.

Map:

Wormit Den

Route Points: Wormit Bay, Bay Road Park, Goods Yard Road
Route Type: Fields
Access Type: Land Reform Act plus some Rights of way.

Route Access:
Wormit Bay: Follow track past Wormit House
Bay Road Park: Wirmit Den can be accessed through the gap in the fence, the Park is accessed from Either Goods Yard Road, Bay Road or Craigshannoch.
Goods Yard Road: There are a number of gaps in the fence, the most useful is at the corner with the railway bridge. This gives a number of routes.

Description:
A number of trails are trampled in around here, mostly by dog walkers, including couple of rough steep descents and tough climbs.
Go and Explore!

I have marked a possible route on the map.

Map:

St Fort to North Straiton

Route Points: A92 at St Fort, North Straiton
Route Type: Farm Track
Access Type: Land Reform Act

Route Access:
A92: ON the A92 North of Sandford there is a track to the right marked "To Straiton Farms".
North Straiton: At South Straiton take road past cottages to North Straiton.

Description:
From the A92 the road is tarred for a short distance into the now derelict sand depot, however it is used for Logging work. The road turns to a rough track through the former loading area and then picks up alongside the railway as a very rough tractor track.

This leads to a bridge over the railway and into a field over the gate.
Follow the road through this field to a gate into another field, when I did this route it was a cabbage field. The road through that field goes to North Straiton which is clearly visible on the other side.

Map:

Strathburn to North Straiton

Route Points: Egyptmuir, North Straiton Farm
Route Type: Farm Roads
Access Type: Land Reform Act

Route Access:
Road over Egypt Muir between Five Roads and St Michaels.
North Straiton Farm, follow any route to South Straiton Farm, turn right down dip past cottages.

Description:
There are 2 possible routes here, with the worse of the 2 options easier to pick up from the Straiton end.

At the junction you can either follow the clear farm road or follow the field edge road, both will eventually take you round to a bridge over the burn and then under the railway. Continue following the sandy road towards North Straiton Farm.

Map:

Cupar Road to Tay Road Bridge South Access

Route Points: Cupar Road Newport, Tay Road Bridge Access Car Park
Route Type: Old Railway
Access Type: Status Unknown

Route Access:
Cupar Road: If you've followed the nature trail to Kirk Road, follow kirk road round Berry's den to Junction, head back towards the town and at the old railway bridge the access is fairly obvious.

Tay Road Bridge: At the underpass where the cycle/pedestrian route over bridge starts a set of steps lead down to Tay Street, a gap in the barriers leads across the grass next to the roundabout, follow that (to be upgraded in near future) to the path at the wall edge, this then picks up the old embankment.

Description:
Climb onto embankment at newport road and follow straight line to a set of steps where a bridge has been removed. go down embankment and follow either Linden Avenue, Albert Cresecent or another path to Station Brae. This is the site of the East Station. Follow either Norwood (follow NT Signs) or Finglask street.
For Finglask street follow to end where a path leads up to a small wood, this then picks up a path on the line of the old embankment, at Norwood (a bit more interesting than the road) follow path crossing the road and up the embankment. This leads to the South Access.

Map:

Watersone Crook to Kirk Road Newport

Route Points: Waterstone Crook, Kirk Road, Various pointsin Newport, see map.
Route Type: Former Railway
Access Type: Status unknown

Route Access:
Waterstone Crook: At road side of Carpark spot the path leading between house and garage. This is the former path to the East Station, most of the railway line has been developed in Newport so this is a bit more interesting.

On Kirk Road before entering the town there is a gap in the wall on the Berry's Den side (sadly the old railway bridge through Berry's den has been removes as that would have been a cracking viewpoint on the nature trail.

Description:
Pick up station path leading through to West Station, continue on path to steps up to Kirk Road.
This includes a wee kink under the road overbridge at the garages.
It can be easy to lose the path here.

Map:

Wormit Flass Road to Newport Waterstone Crook

Route Points: Flass Road, Waterstone Crook
Route Type: Public Path, Former Railway,
Access Type: Status Unknown

Route Access:
Flass Road: Pick up Railway Embankment at top of School
Waterstone Crook: At car park follow path under bridge.

Description:
Another long straight line (as you woudl expect from a former railway!

Again a route useful more for linking stuff together.

Map:

Wormit Nature Trail: Birkhill Avenue to Flass Road

Route Points: Birkhill Avenue, Flass Road
Route Type: Nature Trail
Access Type: Public Path, RoW status unknown

Route Access:
Birkhill Avenue: Between the Riverside Road end and the old railway bridge a path leads up the railway embankment.
Flass Road: Road passes through a break in the railway embankment, path leads up hill on west side of road.

Description:
From Birkhill Aveneue follow path up the hill and straight ahead. This eventually leads to Flass Road.

Not a tricky route but useful for sticking stuff together.

Map:

Wormit Farm to St Fort Home Farm

Route Points: Wormit Farm, St Fort Home Farm
Route Type: Track and Farm Road
Access Type: Right of Way

Route Access:
Wormit Farm: At Wormit Farm follow track on East Side of Road. Scotways sign present.
St Fort: Follow mainline of road to woods where at a break in the wall a trail leads into the field.


Description:
At Wormit Farm cross the road and follow the track to Paterson's yard
At the yard the footpath can be seen leading up the hill, it disolves to a narrow grass track, follow the footpath sign to avoid the first field that leads into the field edges further up, a track can be followed round the field edges to a stile over the fence where a trail is hacked through the bracken to the farm road.

Map:

Wormit, Flass Cottage to St Fort Home Farm

Route Points: Flass Cottage, St Fort Home Farm
Route Type: Estate Path and Right of Way
Access Type: Right of Way

Route Access:
At the top of Flass Road in Wormit a metal gate sits across the driveway of Flass Cottage, this is on a right of way, but has been changed recently so check for diversions round the cottage.
St Fort Home: Follow mainline of road through farm

Description:
At Flass cottage access the path and cross hill on rough farm road, this leads into sparse woods and round to the farm.

Map:
Welcome nialliwallace sign out home

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Woodhaven to St Fort Home farm

Route Points: Woodhaven (Former Shopping basket shop), St Fort Home Farm
Route Type: Path and Rough Estate Roads
Access Type: Right of Way

Route Access:
Woodhaven: At St Fort Road a path leads up the hill beside the old shop on the corner.
St Fort Home Farm: At the farm follow the mainline road towards wormit a path leading into Northwood is gated on the right, followed by a road to the right, follow this road to Woodhaven.

Description:
Follow the path up the hill from Woodhaven, this eventually comes to Ericht Road although I can't remember the route at Woodhaven Terrace exactly. Sticking to the path between the village and the fields over a stile a stiff climb through a wooded path eventually leads onto a rough road over the hill to St Fort, it gets progressivly better as you near the main road throguh the farm, at the T Junction turn Left towards the farm (Turning right will return you to Flass road at Flass Cottage, or Wormit Farm)

Map: