The best road cycling routes around Alyth

Very nice on a bright sunny date.

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.

James Sandy, born in Alyth around 1766, overcame severe disabilities from two accidents to become a renowned inventor known as 'the Alyth Genius.' Living in what is now the Alyth Hotel, he crafted musical instruments, optical devices, clocks, artificial limbs, and false teeth, and even improved flax-spinning machinery. His most famous creation was a wooden-hinged snuff box with a concealed hinge that prevented clogging and sealed airtight. Sandy’s home became a hub for distinguished visitors, and his contributions to innovation were honored with a public-funded tombstone in the Alyth Arches graveyard.

The Den o’ Alyth is a scenic woodland where the Alyth Burn has carved dramatic cliffs of Old Red Sandstone - a rock formed 400 million years ago that was later shaped by glacial forces and erosion. The landscape, marked by steep slopes and boulder-strewn beds, reflects a powerful geological past. The dynamic stream supports a diverse ecosystem. Wildlife such as dippers, grey herons, tree creepers, woodpeckers, great tits, grey wagtails, and red squirrels thrive in this ever-changing environment, while roe deer sometimes appear along the water's edge. In winter, a rare phenomenon called hair ice can form on decaying wood when specific fungal activity triggers thin strands of ice to emerge. Historically, the Den was part of the ancient Forest of Alyth, a royal hunting reserve dating back to the 12th century, even frequented by King Robert I. Today, careful woodland management continues to balance native and non-native species, ensuring the preservation of this natural and cultural heritage.

Quiet road through Glen Isla with views towards Glenshee

A great bike shop with cafe, with toilet for customers. The shop is very helpful (charged my SRAM battery for 20 minutes and gave me a dynaplug spare for free) and the cafe staff were very friendly. Much Kudos!

well stocked with nice bikes, kit, and a lovely cafe attached with friendly staff. these guys saved me and let charge my SRAM battery for 20 minutes which got me back to Perth!