The best road cycling routes around Drumore Loch

A steady 8-10% climb from the south - amazing views.

Lively town with fine river walks and great coffee and food available Always something going on

In April, beautifully planted with colorful flowers and a great cherry tree in full bloom😍

Kirkton of Glenisla, an ancient farming community with Bronze Age and Pictish remains, has a deep ecclesiastical heritage reflected in its name, meaning "church town." From the 14th to 16th centuries, it was part of the lands of Coupar Angus Abbey, which influenced the area's farming development. After the Reformation, the lands were feued to the Ogilvy family, later Earls of Airlie, with Forter Castle remaining as a historical landmark. In the 19th century, the area became a romantic destination, attracting Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Glenisla also saw the construction of Brackny Bridge in 1824, designed by John Justice, marking a significant moment in the area's architectural history.

Forter Castle, built in 1560 by the Ogilvys of Airlie, is a four-storey tower house that was restored in the 1990s after falling into ruin. Its strong defenses made it difficult to capture by surprise, and it withstood various attacks until 1640, when it was besieged by a force of 5,000 men with heavy artillery. The castle was at the heart of a personal feud between the Ogilvys and the Campbells, stemming from land disputes and religious differences. The feud escalated into violent raids, with the Campbells attacking Forter and its lands. In 1640, Archibald Campbell, the Earl of Argyll, led a campaign against the Ogilvys, ultimately razing the castle in an act of personal vengeance. The Countess of Ogilvy is said to have witnessed the destruction from a nearby hill, marking the end of an era for the Ogilvy family in Glenshee.

Glenshee Kirk stands on the site of a late Neolithic or early Bronze Age standing stone, still visible behind the church. A simple parish church, it reflects the austere style of remote Scottish churches and remains an active place of worship, with a popular Christmas service. The name "Glenshee" derives from the Gaelic shith (fairies), and legend tells that fairies thwarted its original construction at Runavey, forcing builders to relocate. The standing stone would have once been visible from Diarmuid’s Tomb stone circle.

The Spittal of Glenshee takes its name from the Old Scots word "spittal," meaning a hospital or resting place. Historically, it served as a shelter for travelers crossing the Cairngorms, especially drovers moving cattle and goods across the Highlands. It was an important stop for pilgrims and traders, providing respite from the harsh mountain terrain. Located at the head of Glenshee valley, the area was historically inhabited by the Clan Farquharson and other Highland clans, and served as a key point linking northern and southern Scotland. Over time, the settlement grew from a simple refuge into a more established community, reflecting the broader heritage of the Scottish Highlands and their role in connecting different regions.

After the Union of Parliaments in 1707, droving became essential to the Scottish economy, enabling livestock movement to markets across the border. Demand for cattle peaked during the Napoleonic Wars, as salt beef was needed for the British army and navy. Highland cattle were driven from northern glens along established drove roads to markets like Crieff and Falkirk. Drovers played a key role, facing dangers like thieves and living on a diet of oats, whisky, and black pudding. By the late 19th century, droving declined with the advent of railways and steamships. The Monega Pass and the Old Road from Spittal of Glenshee to Kirkmichael were key routes, with Kirkmichael’s Michaelmas Fair becoming a major cattle market by the mid-18th century. Marker stones, such as a stone circle on Elrig’s south slope and another at Calaminach Wood, highlight the route’s importance. The Monega Pass was used by drovers avoiding the steep Devil’s Elbow, and was reportedly favored by smugglers. Queen Victoria traveled this route shortly before Prince Albert’s death in 1861.