A challenging hike (at least for this old guy) following a path or right of way between Auchterarder and Dollar, via Glendevon.

At around 13 miles - and indeed more, given that I got a tad lost and walked a mile or so in the wrong direction - this was a walk that, while completed, didn't quite go as smoothly as I'd hoped. I've been in the Ochil Hills before, and walked any number of ways, but I'd not done this particular route. Always exciting following a path you've never walked.

I didn't get lost; just became temporarily displaced. And somewhere in those rolling hills I chanced upon a stone. Or a boulder. I'm fond of stones, and this one had carved circles, some of those circles in a line. Is this an ancient stone that no one has spotted, or is it the work of some guy with a Black and Decker drill and a fancy attachment? Given that it was right beside the path, I'm inclined to think it would have been spotted and recorded by now. Surely?

From the outskirts of Auchterader, the route passes close to Ben Effrey, then meanders into the delightful woodland path in Cloan Glen. From there we head ever upwards, by a wind farm, then down between Ben Thrush and White Creich Hill and into Glendevon.

Not a great deal in Glendevon, to be honest; just a few houses, so we drag our weary body upwards again on legs that feel very heavy, and stop for lunch close to Glenquey Reservoir.

From there, we pass through a narrow rocky defile and head down hill by Dollar Castle and into Dollar itself.

An awesome walk that really took it out of your truly.