Getting There
Leave the M90 at junction 9 and take the A912 signed Bridge of Earn, northbound turn left, southbound turn right.
Enter Bridge of Earn, drive over the river and then immediately turn right at the brown sign to Elcho Castle and Montcreiffe Hill.
Turn left at the brown sign to Montcreiffe Hill and continue to the end of the single track lane and park near the wooden gates.
Return to M90 Junction 9
Turn right at the end of the single-track lane, and at the T-junction turn left to cross the river at Bridge of Earn. Stay on the A912 to rejoin the M90.
Montcreiffe Hill
Montcreiffe Hill is maintained by the Scottish Woodland Trust, and this guarantees a quiet environment that’s perfect for dogs.
There are waymarked trails to make sure you don’t get lost, although the paths are clear and very easy to follow. The Blue route is 2km, the Yellow route is 3.5km, and the Red route is 6.5km. All the routes start from the wooden gates at the parking area.
We followed the Yellow route and earned ourselves a picnic break with a great view of the surrounding fields from the site of an Iron Age fort – now marked by a trig point. The woodlands are home to a vast number of birds, and in this quiet environment their cheepings and chirrupings create a really unique soundscape. Picnic over, we noticed a strange smell. This was from the very aptly named Stinking Hellebore which flourishes here underneath the massive pine trees.
While you’re here
Elcho castle (PH2 8QQ) is nearby, and open between April and September. There are WCs (not disabled) and ice-creams, drinks and confectionary. This castle is so out of the way that it seems to be off the normal tourist track, but is well worth a visit.
The castle was built in the 16th century, and seems to have been designed for both comfortable living and defensive capability, an early example of the security conscious celebrity mansions we have today.
To get there, turn left at the bottom of the single track lane and then follow the brown signs, eventually going through a working farm yard to reach the castle.
Facilities
Free parking.