Alyth is a charming market town situated on the edge of the Highland Boundary Fault, where the rolling Lowlands meet the rugged Highlands. Often overlooked by travellers heading to more prominent Scottish destinations, Alyth is a great base for those seeking to explore Scotland’s rich heritage and landscapes.
Alyth
Alyth
The town’s history stretches back over a millennium, evident in its well-preserved landmarks. The Pack Bridge is one of Scotland’s oldest masonry bridges, dating back to the early 16th century. Originally built to carry packhorses across the Alyth Burn, it remains a symbol of the town’s enduring legacy
Alyth Pack Bridge
Alyth Church
Nearby, the Alyth Parish Church, completed in 1839, houses a rare Pictish cross-slab from the 7th or 8th century, showcasing intricate carvings that speak to the area’s ancient roots. The church’s towering steeple dominates the skyline, a testament to the town’s architectural heritage.
The Cateran Ecomuseum
The innovative Cateran Ecomuseum is a “museum without walls” that celebrates the region’s cultural and natural heritage through a series of outdoor sites and experiences. This unique approach allows visitors to engage with history and nature on foot, bike, or even sailing a traditional Scottish coracle.
Alyth Museum
Alyth Burn
One itinerary takes you through the Den ‘o’ Alyth, where the Alyth Burn runs through a wooded glen just outside the town. Spot a variety of wildlife among the oak, ash, beech and birch trees, including red squirrels, deer, tree creepers and great tits. Dippers, herons and grey wagtails are often seen by the water.
Highland Boundary Distillery
Situated on a hill above the town, Highland Boundary was founded in 2016 by ecologists Dr. Marian Bruce and Simon Montador. The distillery seamlessly blends traditional techniques with modern ecological practices to craft unique botanical spirits.
Highland Boundary
Highland Boundary
Highland Boundary
Each bottle is crafted using hand-picked botanicals such as silver birch, elderflower, and sloe berries, harvested sustainably from the farm and nearby woodlands. The distillation process combines these native plants with grain spirit and mineral rich spring water from Alyth Hill. The result is spirits that are both distinctive and reflective of the Scottish landscape.
Bike Three Towns Loop 38 km
One notable experience is the Three Towns Loop, a cycling route connecting Alyth, Blairgowrie, and Coupar Angus. Leaving Alyth, the route follows quiet country lanes and gentle trails going south west. It takes you through the pastoral beauty of eastern Perthshire, with patchwork fields, dry-stone walls, and the distant Grampian Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop.
Three Towns Loop
Three Towns Loop
Three Towns Loop
Blairgowrie is the largest of the three towns on the loop and is the bustling heart of the region on the River Ericht. Don’t miss the Riverside Walk, a gentle path that follows the river upstream to the site of old textile mills. These remnants of industrial heritage hint at the town’s past as a centre for flax and jute production.
Blairgowrie
Fruit Polytunnels
From Blairgowrie, the ride takes you along quiet country roads and across open moorland, through one of Scotland’s major soft fruit growing areas. The next town is Coupar Angus with its distinct ecclesiastical history. It was once home to a great Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century, although little remains today apart from the Abbey Church, which still serves the local community.
Coupar Angus
The final leg of the loop brings you back to Alyth via Kettins, Ardler and Meigle, a seven mile stretch through farmland and back lanes. You’ll pass stone walls draped in lichen, sheep grazing lazily in pastures, and perhaps even spot a red squirrel darting across your path, Stop at Flour Coffee Shop and Deli for lunch.
Bike Alyth to Glenisla and Back 38 km
Tucked away in the scenic landscape of Perthshire, a bike ride from Alyth to Glenisla via the dramatic Reekie Linn Waterfall takes you through some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside. This route combines quiet country roads, forest tracks, and stunning natural landmarks.
Banff
Banff
Banff
It’s worth making a diversion to Bamff Ecotourism, home to one of Scotland’s pioneering rewilding projects. Here, beavers have been reintroduced, creating dynamic wetland ecosystems. The region’s expansive moorlands, ancient forests, and lochs are home to red squirrels, golden eagles, wild deer, and an abundance of native plant life.
About 8 miles into the ride, you’ll reach the Reekie Linn Waterfall, one of Perthshire’s most dramatic and easily accessible waterfalls. Its name means “smoky pool,” referencing the mist that rises from the plunge pool as the River Isla crashes over a 20-metre drop into a steep gorge.
Reekie Linn
Reekie Linn
Reekie Linn
Continuing north, the route follows winding lanes and forest-bordered roads toward Glenisla, a tranquil glen nestled in the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. The ride offers a mix of gentle climbs and exhilarating descents with the Glenisla Hotel in Kirkton of Glenisla the perfect lunch spot.
Glenisla
Glenisla
Mountains
For the return journey, you can follow a large stretch of the long distance Cateran Trail. This takes you off the road and initially climbs up onto the moorland for some superb views. It then follows tracks and paths before eventually passing between the Alyth hills to get you back to the starting point.
Factfile
GO: The Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from London Euston to Perth. From the station, there’s a regular bus service to Alyth.
INFO: Alyth Cyclery has high tech e-bikes for hire.
Markus Stitz has written a number of books about cycling in Scotland including his recent Gravel Rides Cairngorms & Perthshire.
The Cateran Ecomuseum is an innovative way to interact with the region.
Banff Ecotourism has information about rewilding and activities.
STAY: Forillon is a fully equipped three bedroom house for rent in the centre of Alyth.
EAT: Flour Coffee Shop & Deli in Meigle has locally sourced dishes.
Glenisla Hotel has rooms with good food.
Highland Boundary does tastings by appointment.
You may also like: Guide to walking and cycling the Speyside Way, Scotland