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Macgregor's Cave Walk

The walk begins at the parking spot at Lassintulloch at the end of the Forestry track that leads past Lassintulloch lodge. Proceed a short way along the Schiehallion Road heading in the direction of Aberfeldy past Lassintulloch Cottage which is on the right of the road. Within about two hundred metres two houses will be seen on the left and between them a track leads through two stone pillars. Take this track and in another two hundred metres you will be at the drive of the large White House called Crossmount. The walk takes the track which leads in a loop around to the left of Crossmount and past the tumbledown kennels which are on the right of the track. The track is lined by trees but there are views of Dunalastair Water to the left and of Loch Garry House on the other side of the water. Further on the right the walled garden of Crossmount will be seen with its built in potting shed. Pass through the gateway and on the left are some rather ragged poplar trees and then an avenue of trees that is largely composed horse chestnuts. The smaller trees on the right are Hazels.

Beyond the trees the track (called the loch road) passes close to the water on a built up causeway with a clutter of rocks at the water's edge. Here it can be very windy. Looking west across Dunalastair Water you will see Craig Varr next to Kinloch Rannoch. The water from Dunalastair Water exits via a narrow channel next to Bridge Cottage which is a holiday Cottage owned by the Dunalastair Estate. Here there used to be a foot bridge but unfortunately it was undermined by the flow of the river and it collapsed into the dark waters. It's steel girders can be see projecting from the water on the Bridge Cottage side.

The route to Macgregor's Cave passes to the right of Bridge Cottage and then steeply up hill to reach a steel gate. Beyond the gate the conifer trees have been felled to leave a chaos of stumps but in compensation an unimpeded view of pool in the River Tummel has been opened up. The path proceeds uphill passing over an exposure of smooth Dalradian Limestone before turning sharply to the left. After a short straight section the path rises steeply to the right to negotiate a group of trees, some of which, have fallen in strong winds. From here, looking straight ahead you can see Tullocroisk Farm House. Turning left there is a short straight section passing through mature trees before turning right. At this turn on the right, set back a little, is a tree that has been struck by lightning. It has a vertical crack running down its trunk caused by exploding sap heated by the passage of electricity through it. On the left is a steep gorge and towards the end of the next straight section there is evidence of a former landslip created by a tree that was blown over into the gorge. At this point the path curves slightly to the right to avoid the drop.

Next is the attractive burn crossing. Once there was a bridge here too but is it long gone leaving only traces of its footings. The path plunges down to the burn with a fallen tree on the left which spans the burn. There are stepping stones emplaced to assist the crossing but the flow has tipped one over and care needs to be taken as the stones are slippy. If the water level is high the burn can be impassible.

Once on the other side scramble up and out to the left past a curious rock containing mica. The path is very narrow here. There is the feeling of emerging into the light along an attractive narrow path through heather. Along this path, in summer it is possible to see small pearl bordered fritillaries. The gorge is now on your left and in a short distance you will be alongside jagged rocks on the right which have a cleft behind them where Members of the Clan Macgregor's hid from the Redcoats. It is said that they were found and chased down to the river Tummel where three of them were killed on rocks in the river which are no longer visible because the water level has been raised by the nearby dam. There is a small set of steps leading on the right of the path to the cleft and it is interesting to investigate it. This should only be done if you are surefooted. If you also enjoy a rock scramble it is possible to pass through the hidden cleft and descend to the path on the far side. Macgregor's Cave is now close by and will be seen on the right. In truth is not a cave but a rock overhang which the Victorians turned into a sort of summer house with a fireplace and chimney. There are two entrances and a square open window. It is possible to walk in one end and out of the other.

Opposite Macgregor's Cave there is a viewpoint from which you can look west to Loch Rannoch and in the far distance to the hills of Glencoe. Buachaille Etive Mhor is the dome shaped mountain. To its left is Glen Etive and to the right Glencoe leads down to the sea. To the north is the ruin of Dunalastair House. This once grand turreted mansion had terraced lawns in front and a sweeping staircase within. The roof has now collapsed and although the walls are solid stone they will eventually go the same way. It was a school,for Polish Servicemen's children in the Second World War. It is said that the lead was stollen from its roof after the war and as a result it fell into ruin. The skyline to the north has a dip where glaciers flowed to Glen Errochty in the ice ages. To the east you can see the River Tummel which is backed up by the hydroelectric dam to give a deep dark pool. The slopes below you are adorned by deciduous trees such as rowans.

To return to the parking place simply retrace your steps.

Link to Macgregor's Cave FaceBook Group - photos of Macgregor's Cave.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Macgregorscave/