The best road cycling routes around Blackcraig Forest

A steady 8-10% climb from the south - amazing views.

Very delicious food, friendly service - my full recommendation! For those who the name "the bothy" doesn't mean anything: A Scotsman explained to me that a "bothy" is a hut (usually) in the mountains that has everything a wet, tired, hungry hiker needs for making fire, cooking, and sleeping. After use, the hut is returned to a clean state by the hiker, everything that can be replenished is replenished, and the rest is done by volunteers who have dedicated themselves to this task. Great thing!

During our cycling trip through the Cairngorms, we slept in a bothy every night, but we didn't find it anywhere else as comfortable as this one ;-) Delicious coffee and food. Plenty of room for everyone, and with an outdoor shop next door, it's also the perfect place to stock up on rations.

Wee shop at the post office.

Glenshee Kirk stands on the site of a late Neolithic or early Bronze Age standing stone, still visible behind the church. A simple parish church, it reflects the austere style of remote Scottish churches and remains an active place of worship, with a popular Christmas service. The name "Glenshee" derives from the Gaelic shith (fairies), and legend tells that fairies thwarted its original construction at Runavey, forcing builders to relocate. The standing stone would have once been visible from Diarmuid’s Tomb stone circle.

The Spittal of Glenshee takes its name from the Old Scots word "spittal," meaning a hospital or resting place. Historically, it served as a shelter for travelers crossing the Cairngorms, especially drovers moving cattle and goods across the Highlands. It was an important stop for pilgrims and traders, providing respite from the harsh mountain terrain. Located at the head of Glenshee valley, the area was historically inhabited by the Clan Farquharson and other Highland clans, and served as a key point linking northern and southern Scotland. Over time, the settlement grew from a simple refuge into a more established community, reflecting the broader heritage of the Scottish Highlands and their role in connecting different regions.

After the Union of Parliaments in 1707, droving became essential to the Scottish economy, enabling livestock movement to markets across the border. Demand for cattle peaked during the Napoleonic Wars, as salt beef was needed for the British army and navy. Highland cattle were driven from northern glens along established drove roads to markets like Crieff and Falkirk. Drovers played a key role, facing dangers like thieves and living on a diet of oats, whisky, and black pudding. By the late 19th century, droving declined with the advent of railways and steamships. The Monega Pass and the Old Road from Spittal of Glenshee to Kirkmichael were key routes, with Kirkmichael’s Michaelmas Fair becoming a major cattle market by the mid-18th century. Marker stones, such as a stone circle on Elrig’s south slope and another at Calaminach Wood, highlight the route’s importance. The Monega Pass was used by drovers avoiding the steep Devil’s Elbow, and was reportedly favored by smugglers. Queen Victoria traveled this route shortly before Prince Albert’s death in 1861.

Bridge of Cally is a small village north of Blairgowrie, historically serving as a gateway to the Highland Glens. Situated at the junction of Glenshee and Strathardle, it centers around an ancient bridge over the River Ardle. The village lies along the A93, also known as the Snow Roads Scenic Route, which follows an 18th-century military road that once facilitated troop movements, highlighting the area’s strategic significance. Notable landmarks include the Bridge of Cally Hotel, formerly the Invercauld Arms, which operated as a temperance establishment until the 1960s. While now a key stop for visitors en route to Glenshee Ski Centre, the village maintains its historical charm and continues to serve as a vital local hub.