Click on a trail-name below to jump to that article...


•  1.  The Cateran Ale Trail

•  2.  The Broughty Ferry to Carnoustie Ale Trail

•  3.  The Belmont Triangle

•  4.  Forfar and Brechin Ale Trail

•  5.  Dundee City Ale Trail

•  6.  Perth City Ale Trail

•  7.  Loch Leven Ale Trail

  Ale-trail Forms are available at the foot of each article.

 
1. The  Cateran  Ale  Trail  —  by Nigel Reynolds

This real ale trail can be taken on foot, bicycle or public transport and follows part of the Cateran Trail — a fully way-marked 64 mile walk in the Perthshire and Angus glens. The trail is named after the Caterans, groups of highlanders who from the 1300s until the 1600s supplemented their subsistence income by rustling cattle from the relatively prosperous glens before driving them back north to the upland areas. The walk is shaped (if you use a little imagination) like a leaf on a stem, with Blairgowrie at the end of the stem.

Blairgowrie to Bridge of Cally, 7 miles - If you need an overnight stay before you tackle this trail, then consider the Royal Hotel in Blairgowrie. The Hotel offers comfortable accommodation, one handpull in the bar and good food. The Ericht Alehouse is close to the walk (and bus stop) and has 6 handpulls. This establishment has won numerous Tayside Pub of the Year awards. The Stormont and the Old Cross Inn also serve real ale at either end of the town.

The Bridge of Cally Hotel

The walk takes you along the banks of the River Ericht, then via a moorland track to Bridge of Cally, the point at which the "stem" of the walk meets the "leaf". At this point you can stop at the Bridge of Cally Hotel which has two real ale handpulls. The hotel serves bar meals and a la carte meals option; accommodation is also available.

The number 71 bus stops outside the hotel in both directions. So if you just feel like a relaxing drink and a good meal then you need not go any further. The bus journey back to Blairgowrie will take you 10 minutes.

Bridge of Cally to Kirkmichael, 7 miles - From here and for the more adventurous the trail heads up the west side of Strathardle before concluding at Kirkmichael where both the Kirkmichael Hotel and Strathardle Hotel serve real ale and food; overnight accommodation is also available. Again, the number 71 bus stops in the village so there is transport back to Blairgowrie.

On a fine day the full 15 miles can be walked in time to get the last bus back from Kirkmichael to Blairgowrie; a short 25 minute journey. (At time of publication, the last bus left at 18:22 but please check the excellent Travel Scotland website before embarking on this tour.) Also consider that the temptation to relax in a particular hostelry might leave you tight (not in the drunken sense… I hope) for the bus, so bear this in mind if you are doing the full 15 miles.

If your choice is to cycle the route, the A93 can be a busy road so an alternative route would be to take the B road via Drimmie. However, this is quite a hilly stretch to and from Blairgowrie, so take your time and enjoy some of the lovely views across the Perthshire countryside.

If you want to cycle further to Kirkmichael take the A924 just past the Bridge of Cally Hotel on the left. This is a less demanding cycle.

Ale Trail No.1 Form

 
2. The Broughty Ferry to Carnoustie Ale Trail
 —  by Graeme Duguid

There are several buses that travel to Broughty Ferry from Dundee but for this Real Ale Trail I would suggest the No.73/73A as it travels all the way to Carnoustie and back.  Board the bus outside Primark in the High Street at bus stop H3.

The journey to Broughty Ferry should take about 20 minutes and you should alight at the Broughty Ferry Library.  Cross the road and make your way towards the Old Post Office Bar, by the traffic lights (westwards).  Turn left down Fort Street over the railway bridge, continuing to the end of the road. On the left, just before lifeboat station, you will see the Fisherman's Tavern, a 19th century pub and the only one in Scotland to have been listed in every Good Beer Guide since 1975. Usually six ales, including Scottish craft breweries’, are on tap. Next, leave the Fisherman's and turn left towards the River Tay.  Turn left again along Fisher Street and follow the river until you come to Gray Street,

Continue up Gray Street, crossing over King Street and you will see the Old Anchor’s brightly painted frontage on your right hand side. The Anchor has a number of handpulls with Courage Directors and Deuchars IPA. After leaving the Anchor, continue up Gray Street, cross Brook Street and you'll see the Royal Arch on the corner.  The Arch has three handpulls with two guest beers available. 

After the Arch it's time to get back on the bus again.  Continue up Gray Street over the level crossing  and turn left at the junction towards the Broughty Ferry Library where you can catch the No. 73 again, heading towards Carnoustie.  It's just a short hop to the next hostelry, so watch out for the “twin towers” gateway of Reres Hill park on the left, as a marker, and get off the bus just after Abertay Street.   Cross over to the other side of Dalhousie Street and you'll see the Kittiwake, a large good-looking building. The Kittiwake has two handpulls and rotates a variety of beers.

The Kittiwake, Barnhill

Heading back on the trail, cross over Dalhousie Street and make your way back to the previous bus stop to continue your journey on the 73 bus.  Once in Carnoustie get off the bus just after North Burnside Street.  Cross the road and on the corner of Dundee Street and Camus Street is the Stag's Head.  The Stag's Head has two handpulls and is proud of its past connection with Billy Connolly.  Head out of the Stag and continue into the centre of Carnoustie.

It's a short walk along Dundee Street and then High Street until you reach the Dalhousie Hotel.  This former doctor's surgery has one handpull offering a regularly changing range of beers.   Keep on the same side of the road along the High Street until you come to the Kinloch Arms Hotel.  This well- established hotel has a good reputation and hosts an annual beer festival.  During the summer two handpulls will be offering varieties of beers, but this goes down to only one handpull in the winter months.

From the Kinloch continue eastwards along the High Street until you reach Station Road.  Turn down Station Road and just before the railway on the left hand side is the Station Hotel.  The Station is a family run Hotel and has one changing guest ale on in the Bar and the Lounge.  If you are feeling a bit peckish the Station has a good reputation for meals.

Now we are almost at the end of the trail.   Head back up Station Road and take the first road on your right, Ireland Street, and follow it along until you see the Aboukir Hotel on the left, set back from the road.  This recently modernized and extended hotel has two handpulls offering a variety of ales as well as some excellent fayre.  We've now come to the end of the trail. Head out the back door of the hotel into Church Street West, turn left and just a short distance along the road is the No. 73 bus stop to take you back to Dundee.

Ale Trail No.2 Form

3. THE BELMONT TRIANGLE – a Real Ale Outing
by Alan Lawson

An interesting real ale outing with some pleasant walking can be undertaken in the Newtyle /Meigle area, visiting 4 pubs by walking a kind of triangle of three stages.  The no.57 bus (Dundee / Newtyle / Meigle / Alyth / Blairgowrie) may be useful.

In Newtyle, the only pub – The Commercial in South Street – started real ale in summer 2009, with Inveralmond beers available,

The walking then begins at the east end of North Street, where you pick up the path of the old railway line running northwards. After about ¾ of a mile, the path swings down across the Newtyle—Meigle road and heads westward through pleasant open country for a mile and a half to approach the small village of Ardler.  Turn right into a cul-de-sac of new houses and walk up to the main road of the village, where a quick left brings you immediately to the door of The Tavern.

Owners Stewart and Carol Ferrier bought the place in 2006 and undertook a major refurbishment: part of this involved taking a whole elm tree which had matured for 7 years and getting a joiner to turn it into their fine bar... a wonderful piece of craftmanship. A pleasant wee pub, with darts, pool table, and quiet tv.  Comfy sofa in front of a fine wood-burning fire is a place where one might get planted! Two handpulls, usually Orkney, but Stewarts and Inveralmond also seen. Strong demand for real ale from local agricultural workers (esp Grewars Potato Farm just across the road) who appreciate real natural products. Real ale is definitely here to stay.  Good soup and various snacks are also served.

Extricating oneself from the sofa, exit and turn right for the pleasant walk of about a mile and a half to Meigle.  The Kinloch Arms is the only watering-hole of the village, owned by Douglas Gilchrist and newly painted (with Belhaven support); it consists of a general bar (with tv), dining-room and function room. They have two handpulls, and get through the stuff at good speed.  Inveralmond and other breweries’ beers have been noted.

The Kinloch Arms, Meigle

The final target is the Belmont Arms, about 1 mile along the road south from Meigle towards Newtyle. The main road can be walked, but an old railway track to the east can be attempted for the more scenic approach. The local estate bought the Belmont a few years ago and hopes to develop holiday chalets nearby. Flock wallpaper and aged pictures of India are to be seen on the walls, and there’s a bust of Queen Victoria. The Belmont is mostly for meals in their dining-room, but the manager tries to keep real ale on the bar… usually from Inveralmond.

There is a bus-stop right outside the hotel, for the homeward journey.

Ale Trail No.3 Form

 
4. The  Forfar  and  Brechin  Ale  Trail  —  
by Graeme Duguid

To start this trail you will have to board the No. 20 Strathtay bus at the Forum Centre in Commercial Street, Dundee.  Check the bus times, and if you have some time to wait you may wish to visit The Town across from the bus-stop for a small refreshment before you start your journey.  The Town has been tastefully refurbished with fine wood-panelled walls, mosaic floors, magnificent plasterwork and domed ceiling. It is a large establishment with many different secluded sections, as well as a more modern-style upstairs area. There are 6 handpulls, offering a wide variety of beers. If you are off for an early start, breakfast is served from 9am.

Take the 20 bus to Forfar which runs about every half hour and it takes around 35 minutes to get to your first stop.  Disembark at 'The Cross' opposite the Council Buildings in the centre of Forfar.  Cross the road and walk up The Vennel a short distance and you will see the Osnaburg Bar on your left hand side on the corner of a pend.  The Osnaburg is a cosy, low-ceiling bar which derives from Forfar's textile-industry history. It is a Belhaven tenancy and offers a varying range of beers which are served from the single handpull.

Turn right when leaving and walk down the pend, Osnaburg Street, heading North toward East High Street.  At the entrance to the pend from the High Street is the Forfar Home Brew shop, just in case you are thinking about getting into the home brewing.  Cross East High Street and walk down Castle Street heading North until you come to Victoria Street.  Turn right into Victoria Street, cross to the north side of the road and head up Carseburn Street.  At the junction turn right along Don Street until you reach North Street.  Turn left up North Street until you come to Market Street.  Turn right along Market Street until you come to the Plough Inn on the right hand side of the road. The Plough is a community local near the old railway station and has earned a reputation for good food and cask ale. It has 3 handpulls usually dispensing Scottish brewed beers. The pub hosts many live music nights and the occasional beer festival. High teas are served but you may wish to visit the Forfar Bridie bakers’ shop nearby.

Head back along Market Street and turn down left into North Street.  Cross the road and turn into Don Street where you'll find the bus stop for the No. 21 bus that will take you to Brechin which is about 11miles to the east of Forfar and takes about 30 minutes.  Get off the bus at Westwood near Conveners Wynd and walk up St. David Street until you see the Brechin Arms which will be on your left.  The Brechin Arms is a small, cosy pub located in the town’s main street.  It has one handpull, with a regular change of beer.

The Brechin Arms

Proceed along St. David Street into town and take the first left into Market Street.  On the corner of St David Street and Market Street is the Dalhousie which is one of Scotland’s True Heritage Pubs, a high-ceilinged public bar with original (19th century) full-height wood panelling, plus an old carved back gantry and a modest island gantry on wheels. It also has interesting windows, screens, and mirrors. Continue up Market Street and on the left you'll see the Brown Horse Hotel which is also known as the Stables. It has a friendly public bar and serves meals in the lounge bar. This establishment is featured in Scotland’s True Heritage Pubs, on account of its long-unchanged interior features and mirrors. It has one handpull serving a rotating guest ale.

Leave the Brown Horse by the back door taking you through the Stables Bar, the car park and onto Clerk Street.  Walk down Clerk Street, then turn left into Panmure Street.  Cross to the right hand side of the road and at the end of the road turn right into Southesk Street.  Follow down the road until you come to the Caledonian Hotel.  The Caledonian Hotel has been extensively refurbished. The hotel has a large bar and function room/restaurant. The landlord regularly stocks beers from Inveralmond and Houston, with occasional English guests ales. A range of Belgian bottled beers is also held. Live folk music on the last Friday of the month is very popular. For the Steam and Railway enthusiasts, the Caledonian Railway terminus is opposite, with steam trains running to Bridge of Dun on summer weekends.

That concludes the Ale Trail so time to head home.  There are a number of ways to get back to Dundee and this is one of them.  From the Caledonian Hotel, cross the road and turn up to your left up the hill to St. Ninian's Square to catch the No. 31 to Arbroath.  From Arbroath you can get the No. 39 Bus back to Dundee.  As an alternative route, you can also get a No. 30 bus to Montrose and catch the No. 39 bus to Dundee from Montrose.  Depending on the time of day, I suggest you check the bus timetables for the most suitable route. Might be a good idea to collect the bus time tables from the Travel Dundee Travel Centre at 92 Commercial Street,  before you set off on your journey.

Ale Trail No.4 Form

 
5. The  Dundee  City  Ale  Trail  —  
by Alan Lawson

Start this trail in the magnificent interior of The Town, on the east side of Commercial Street — a former insurance building which has been returned to its former glory by the licencee who is enthusiastic about real ale. Fine large barrels serve as tables near the bar.

Emerging from your first port of call, go up the street and turn left: only a couple of hundred yards is needed to reach the door of The Counting House, a Wetherspoon's establishment usually boasting a good range of beers in good nick (and at favourable prices).

Go down Reform Street, veering right at the foot to quickly find The Trades House Bar at the top of Union Street. Although it can be hard to find the Deuchars font in amongst about 30 non-real-ale taps, the artisanship of the interior makes this visit worthwhile. The place is invariably busy — a working-class pub that always has a lively atmosphere about it.

The next stage of your journey is only 30 yards... across the road to The Bank Bar — a cosy wood-panelled howff with 3 real ale handpulls. There are a number of different sections in
this pub, so you can take possession of your own 'place'.

The next stage is all of 500 yards: from the top of Union Street head west out the Nethergate, across the big junction, to find the gaily-coloured Phoenix. Inside the lighting is decidedly subdued, giving a 'detached from the outside world' feel which many find attractive. Treat yourself to a seat in the huge chairs at the head of the main table. The charismatic owner has five handpulls offering real ale that is always in excellent condition.

The Phoenix

Emerging blinking into the sunlight [time-of-day-dependent], continue westwards out the Perth Road for about 3/4 of a mile to reach the Speedwell Tavern (Mennie's), an establishment that appears in the Scotland's True Heritage Pubs booklet on account of its fine, unchanged wood-panelling, mirrors, and glass-partitions. Two handpulls serve the real ale.

Retrace your steps about half a mile townwards and on the oppsite side of the road you'll find Drouthy's — a now locally-owned watering-hole (formerly a Belhaven 'Drouthy Neebors'). There is a relaxed, civilsed atmosphere here, and food is taken seriously (extensive blackboard list). Two handpulls. (Can be quietish when the university and art college are on holiday.) Challenging spiral staircase down to the loos.

And finally... walk eastwards a short distance to the corner of Roseangle, where Laing's is to be found just a few yards down the street. Some care might by now be needed when descending the steepish steps into this establishment, which was smartly refurbished by Belhaven in 2009. The big attraction here is the splendid beer-garden: reaching it involves a perilous descent to the rear of the building, and participants should bear in mind that they have to be able to get back up again. Alternatively, it wouldn't be a bad place to get stuck at the end of an ale trail!

Ale Trail No.5 Form

 
6.  Perth City Ale Trail  —  by Tom McLaughlan

The walk begins — as tradition dictates — at one of Perth's 3 premier real ale pubs, the famous Cherrybank Inn, a popular watering hole for over 200 years which has a total of 5 handpumps serving beers from local brewery Inveralmond and other Scottish micros.

The Cherrybank

From there head down the stair on leaving the pub, across the bridge over Craigie burn, up a short incline before veering to the left, passing Craigie Hill golf course on the right. In 300m, passing lock-up garages on the left, turn left across the turning circle and down to a narrow footpath (believe it or not it is possible to drive a mini down here, it has been done) into Orchard Place, passing a tennis court. At the T-junction turn right, then shortly left into Park Place, cross Darnhall Drive, continue to the end of the street, take the footpath to the right, then left crossing Wilson Street, past the church and school before reaching the Abbotsford. This split-level lounge bar was converted from two Co-op shops in the 1970s by the Giulianotti family. The current owner has now installed a hand-pump dispensing  Inveralmond’s Thrappledouser. Can be particularly busy on football nights.

Setting off once again continue down Abbot Street, straight ahead at the traffic lights (passing a recommended chip shop on the left) and over the railway bridge. In the days of steam the bridge would become engulfed in steam and smoke as trains pulled out of Perth station on the left. Before the powers that be in British Rail restricted access to stations, there was a gate with a stair leading to the platform below making an interesting short-cut to the town. The brick building down on the left was a 'fishhouse' where Tay salmon was graded, boxed, iced and dispatched to Billingsgate in London and other UK destinations. Follow the road — which was one of the last in Perth to have the cobbles lifted and replaced with tarmac — and turn right at the T-junction; shortly on the right is the South Inch (one of two city parks, the other being the North Inch) and a statue of borders writer Walter Scott. Here take a left northwards along King Street. On reaching the traffic lights at the 'South Street Port', find Dickens on the far right-hand corner (formerly known as the Central). This is an interesting town centre bar with a high ceiling, where stained-glass partitions form cosey alcoves; Inveralmond Independence is always available.

Continue north along South Methven Street, and in 200m turn east into High Street where on the left find The Caledonian (renamed from the Thistle). Recent new owners have refurbished it and installed a handpump dispensing an Inveralmond ale.

Continue eastwards down the High Street, through the traffic lights into the pedestrian precinct passing the Victorian Perth Theatre, turning right into King Edward Street, and take a left on reaching the now disused city hall (the future of which has been the subject of much debate locally, options being to demolish and form a continental-style plaza, or retain and convert into retail units). Look out for The Ring o Bells on the left where the hand-pump may have an ale on.

Turn south past the front of St. Johns Kirk — where the rantings of a certain John knox triggered the Scottish reformation and the birth of the Presbyterian church — and on through Fleshers Vennel, one of several such Vennels in the centre of Perth named after the trades based there in medieval times. Cross the South Street and in 400m on the right find the Stagger.  The walls are adorned with musical memorabilia, and regular live musical evenings are held. An Inveralmond ale is available.

Return to the South Street, turn right towards the river Tay. (The Salutation hotel on the right is where Bonnie Prince Charlie spent the night on his way through Perth.) On the left is the 2nd premier real ale pub, the Greyfriars, named after the Greyfriars monastery which was raised in the grounds by the followers of the aforementioned John Knox.  This small but busy lounge has up to 4 handpumps serving a variety of ales including the house beer, locally brewed ‘Friar Tipple’. A traditional musical night is held every third Monday of the month.

Continue the walk towards the Tay, turn left at the lights, walk along Tay Street, and in 350m find the Capital Asset.  This is the third pub where a variety of ales in good condition can be expected, particularly during the Weatherspoon’s spring and autumn ‘international beer festivals’. The large lounge (a former TSB bank) sports up to five handpumps.

On leaving ’spoons, continue on then left up the High Street, take the first right into George Street and shortly on the left find  No 24 restaurant/bar where an ale may be on the menu.

Continue onwards and take a left into Mill Street — passing the new 21st century concert hall which replaced the aforementioned city hall — and in 200m cross over Kinnoull Street. The street widens out here and on the narrow parallel carriageway beside the cinema find the Foundry.  The vibrant pub got its name from the previous use of the building; it is now another Belhaven pub where two ales are on offer.

Last but not least — to complete all the real ale pubs within the city boundary — the Glovers Arms on Crieff Road is well worth a visit, with three well-kept ales now on offer in this ‘Innkeepers Lodge’. A bracing walk of some 2½ miles can be taken via North Methven Street, Atholl Street, Dunkeld Road, and Crieff road, or alternatively take a No 1 or 2 bus from the hub of in-city buses opposite. Get off at Tesco supermarket, turning right (west) across the by-pass to find The Glover's on the left.

 Return to the city centre via the same route, and a No 7 bus will then provide a return to your starting-point at the Cherrybank.

Ale Trail No.6 Form

 
7.  Loch Leven Ale Trail  —  by Graeme Duguid

Loch Leven is a very attractive area and has a remarkable history.  It has a very interesting Heritage Trail which you could include as part of this ale trail.  Kinross is a hub for bus transport so is very easy to get to from most areas in Tayside.  There is a bus (No. 201) that can be used to cover this trail but it is a bit sparse and the last bus is around 18:00 hrs during the week.  Buses run later on Friday and Saturday (around 22:00 hrs)  but there are no buses on a Sunday.   However, there is a special Sunday Circular (No. 203) which covers all of the watering holes.  A Sunday Stroller ticket can be purchased for £1.50 for unlimited use of this circular route.  If you are going to take the bus round this trail it will require some careful planning. 

Depending on your chosen mode of transport, you may wish to visit the Ale Houses in a different order but they are all worth a visit.  I will start off at the South end of Kinross and then travel in a clockwise direction.  The first port of call is the Kirklands Hotel in the High Street.  The hotel was refurbished in November 2007 and this original coaching inn has been styled to give the interior a contemporary and modern feel. One handpull serves ever-changing Inveralmond ales.

Head North up the Muirs (B 996) and after a short distance will come across the Green Hotel on your left hand side.  This upmarket hotel set in pleasant grounds in the centre of the town has one handpull in the luxurious bar. Prices can be higher than in other outlets in the area. (If you are not having a meal, you may at certain times be asked to leave the bar area.)

Continuing north for a short distance, on the right hand side of the road is the Muirs Inn.  This is a traditional country inn with low ceilings, much wood in the bar décor and a warm atmosphere.  Real ales (2 handpulls) and malt whiskies (over 100) are a trademark. There is a good-sized restaurant area and a nice open air seating area in front of the bar. 

Our next stop is in Milnathort , just over a mile up the road which turns into the A922.  There is a foot-path all the way and it’s an easy walk.  Once into town, you will come to a roundabout.  Cross over the roundabout and make your way up Wester Loan which goes up the hill past the Town Hall.  A short distance along the road, on your right, you will find the Village Inn.  This friendly local is at the heart of the village. It has a semi-open-plan interior, with a comfortable lounge area at one end with low ceilings, exposed joists and stone walls. A log fire in the bar area adds to the relaxing atmosphere, and the games room at the rear has a pool table. This pub is family owned and the real ale is taken seriously.

Make your way back to the roundabout and turn left along the A911.  A short distance along the road on the left hand side you will find the Thistle Hotel.  A coaching Inn since the 1600s, it has been owned by the same family for the last 30 years and is refurbished to a high standard.

Turn left along the A911 heading East, cross to the right hand side of the road and turn down Burleigh Road (A911) signposted to Scotlandwell.  Continue down the A911 for about 3 miles, past the Burleigh Castle Steading and the Loch Leven Larder, until you come to the Balgedie Toll Tavern at the junction with the B919.  This is a welcoming and comfortable country tavern dating from 1534 which, like many others built at the time in Scotland, was situated at a road toll where travellers had to break their journey to pay tolls before travelling on. Now much extended, the oldest part of the building (the toll house) is at the southern end. It has three seating areas plus a small bar with low ceilings, oak beams, horse brasses, wooden settles and works of art by a local painter. A good selection of meals and bar snacks is available. It has two handpulls usually serving Harviestoun and Inveralmond beers.

Continue on the A911 for just over a mile and you will come to Kinnesswood and the Lomond Country Inn on the right hand side of the road.  Here you will find very friendly and helpful bar staff who are well-informed and most helpful:  the barman kindly gave me a guided tour of his cellar. They take the Real Ale seriously here and look after it very well.  It has stunning views over Loch Leven and the Lomond Hills which blend in perfectly whilst supping the Harviestoun and Inveralmond ales which are kept in good condition. It also has an extensive decked area with its own bar, again with lovely views over the Loch. The Inn is Freehold and has an extensive range of whiskies on the gantry. 

The Lomond Country Inn, Kinnesswood

Turn right and head down the A911 a short distance and you will come to the village of Scotlandwell.  On the left hand side of the road you will see the Well Inn, a pleasant family-run village pub situated at the east end of the village. The pub sells an ever-changing range of beers from two handpulls including Inveralmond ales. The Well offers en suite accommodation, or in chalets, and food is served all day. It has a heart-warming open fire in the winter months.

Ale Trail No.7 Form