Thursday May 2nd


Glen Tilt and The Marble Lodge (Revisited)

This time last year we did the shorter version of this walk, so it was good to return to complete the full circuit. The day was sunny and bright so we set off from the car park at the Old Bridge of Tilt with a bit of a spring in our step after so many miserable days this year. It’s an impressive start up to Blair Castle and then into the woodland called Diana’s Grove. Passing through Old Blair, the track leads quickly into pleasant woodland, high above the river. After a sharp right turn, the track opens out, with good views all around.

View along Glen Tilt with Càrn a' Chlamain(?)
as ascended by David and Rachel in 2018

 The track that one follows down to Gilbert’s Bridge is a little unforgiving, but it enables steady progress to be made. It was very pleasant sitting on the Bridge, having a snack and considering the remainder of the route We set off on the rougher track, left of the river. The walking was pleasant, along a green track, and the views are excellent, with a satisfying number of lambs still to be seen gambolling around. The main path continues along the grassy north banks of the River Tilt for 1.5 km to Marble Lodge, crossing attractive falls at Ach-mhairc Bridge.


 Near to the lodge, white marble blocks can be seen in the riverbed. It was a real bonus to see Marble Lodge again, where we had spent a short holiday in June 2018 en famille, just before Jacinta finished at Manchester High. It is a lovely place in a unique location.

Jacinta at Marble Lodge

We then set off for home, crossing the River Tilt by the bridge above Marble Lodge, working our way leftwards to eventually join up with the shorter walk route. The rest of the walk is a nice, steady route; a pit stop in the shade of a birch wood was very welcome. There is considerable forestry work going on in the area, with the clearing of non-native woodland and its replacement with nearly half a million native trees. It will look great when it is done, although at the moment the landscape looks a bit scarred and empty. At Fenderbridge, the route goes downhill to the carpark and the end of a very enjoyable outing.

A walk of 10.7 miles with 440m ascent.


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