The best MTB trails around Meigle And Ardler

Good to shelter if necessary in the rain. Not quite a bothy though as the shed isn't fully sealed so lots of bird debris inside

A pleasant town with the expected shops etc. A good location for a planned break.

A useful waypoint. Northwards it's a steep dirt path climb over to Spittal of Glenshee - aka hike-a-bike. Southwards, a nice track down to Enochdhu.

Steep climb out from Rattray. Of course, no problem with a powerful ebike.

Rising steeply from Alyth to 300 meters, the Hill of Alyth offers stunning views of Strathmore, the Sidlaw Hills, and the Cairngorm Mountains. At the summit, a Triangulation Point and commemorative pillar highlight the hill's connection to Alyth's commonty, a shared land used by parish inhabitants. Geologically, the hill is significant, formed from sedimentary and volcanic rocks shaped by glacial activity. The area also features healing wells, believed to have curative powers since pre-Christian times, and remains a symbol of community land rights, with a notable history of local disputes, including the 1948 reclamation of the hill by residents.

The Lunch Hut, built around 1950 for driven grouse shooting, originally had two compartments—one for the guns and one for the beaters. Today, it serves as a welcome shelter for walkers on the Cateran Trail. On October 13, 1865, Queen Victoria passed this way on her journey from Dunkeld to Balmoral, riding her Highland pony with John Brown. At the Lairig gate overlooking the Spittal, the party stopped for tea, only to discover the kettle had been forgotten, causing a delay while one was fetched. This story is recounted in Queen Victoria’s Highland Journals, edited by David Duff.

James Sandy, born in Alyth around 1766, overcame severe disabilities from two accidents to become a renowned inventor known as 'the Alyth Genius.' Living in what is now the Alyth Hotel, he crafted musical instruments, optical devices, clocks, artificial limbs, and false teeth, and even improved flax-spinning machinery. His most famous creation was a wooden-hinged snuff box with a concealed hinge that prevented clogging and sealed airtight. Sandy’s home became a hub for distinguished visitors, and his contributions to innovation were honored with a public-funded tombstone in the Alyth Arches graveyard.

Alyth, a historic town near the Perthshire–Angus border, has origins possibly dating back to the Picts and was first recorded in a 1200 charter by King William the Lion. It grew through agriculture and linen production in the 1700s, with further expansion after the railway's arrival in 1861, bringing textile mills and increased commerce. Today, Alyth thrives with a mix of local shops, a vibrant arts scene, and a growing tourism sector celebrating its rich natural and cultural heritage.