Approximate Length: 15 miles
Approximate Height Gained: 750m
Nearest Town: Blair Atholl
Nearest Postcode: PH18 5SP
This circuit is a favourite amongst local mountain bikers offering forest, grouse moor, red deer, views onto Schiehallion, steady climbs, fun downhillProbably best to get the pronunciation out of the way first! Sheicheachan is pronounced 'ee igh an'! It takes a comfortable two to two and a half hours in the dry with stops. Expect to get wet feet.
The route starts with a steady climb from Blair Atholl, up lower Glen Tilt, past the shooting range, out on to grouse moor alongside the Slanaidh Burn (a few water crossings but none is dodgy), before cresting the watershed (Haribo stop) and flying down to the Allt Sheicheachan (where the footpath to the Munro, Beinn Dearg, heads off). The route continues downhill to the burn crossing (usually best walked over (just ask Iain!)) at the bothy. It's Mountain Bothies Association sponsored and provides important and sometimes essential respite. MBA's a voluntary group and a donation towards the upkeep would be much appreciated:
http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk/ .
A path heads north off over to Glen Bruar from here but you stay on the track and head uphill, initially, to cross more grouse moor. The track will eventually join the Banvie Burn and lead you back to Blair Atholl.
Tips: Maps- OS Explorer 394 Atholl 1:25000 or OS Landranger Braemar and Blair Atholl 43 1:50000
Sheicheachan is pronounced 'ee igh an'!
It's amongst mountains: bring appropriate gear for Scottish hills i.e. everything!
It's virtually all on land rover track with no singletrack and crosses several small burns.
This route starts and stops at the gates to Blair Castle, a genuinely great place to visit. Parking is across the road or up at the Glen Tilt car park (NN874662), which the route passes. Blair Atholl has pubs, hotels and shops plus a fab Mill where you can sip coffee and eat Rami's wonderful bread, bagels, carrot cake etc made from freshly milled flour.
The nearest bike shop is the incomparable Escape Route, ten mins away by car in Pitlochry, on the main street near the tourist information centre.
http://www.escape-route.co.uk/Do the route anticlockwise for the best downhills.
There's a huge range of routes in this area. Check out others on EveryTrail or just browse a map!
Escape Route, Pitlochry - everything for the outdoorsAllt Sheicheachan Bothy Circuit, Highland Perthshire, Scotland at EveryTrail
