Fran Loots runs Breathing Space Outdoors. Based in Comrie, in Perthshire, Breathing Space Outdoors encourages people to explore things “inside out” by offering training, consultancy services and outdoor experiences. Fran is an enthusiastic leader of courses such as Nordic walking, Women CAN read maps, orienteering and guided hill walks. She loves all things outdoors, including mountain biking. Here she details one of her favourite routes from Comrie.

Comrie to Comrie mountain bike circuit

Starting from Laggan Park (NN 776224) on the eastern edge of Comrie head out on the A85 towards Crieff for 500 metres and take the green signed route, turning up left past the Milton on a good track. The route climbs gradually up the track for about 600 metres.

At the highest point in the forest there will be a track to your left and two to your right (not shown on all maps). Take the second to your right down a lovely track, over an old bridge and followed by a “bit of a slog” up the hill. You will probably not make it all the way without needed to get off to walk!

Keep following this track up until it levels out and follow it round to the right where it opens out and then heads left downhill. Follow this until you cross over a bridge arriving at a T-junction and partially metalled road.

Now go left, then sharp right a hundred metres or so beyond the cattle grid to start the long climb up the hill on a metalled road. Keep going up the bends and keep right at the any junctions until you pedal over another lovely old stone bridge – this is where the other route comes out. You continue here on the metalled road.

Continue onwards and upwards on the metalled road as it heads out into the open and becomes a graded landrover track. Admire the lochan to your left when you come fully out into the open (not marked on all maps). This is a good rest and breather spot!

Continue upwards, taking the right fork before arriving at Braefordie, a deserted farm house. Follow the track beyong this keeping to the right at the fork and push – unless you are really super-fit – up the hill until you join the track that takes you to Turret Dam (350m high).

If you like a challenge: At the dam head zoom down the grassy slope. Alternatively head across the dam head past the car park NN 821264. Then it’s a free wheel down to the Famous Grouse Distillery for lunch.

A nice gentle route back to Comrie is to head out from the distillery to the A85. Go straight over and take the  rd right, signed to Lady Mary’s walk. Follow these signs and enjoy a pedal along the River Earn. When the track leaves the river and arrives at a T- junction turn right along an often muddy path until you emerge onto a B road. Turn left here and head up to the South Crieff Road where you turn right and keep going until you arrive back in Comrie.