Route Description
This is a long climb coming out of Pitlochry but it's mostly steady rather than steep. There is one short steep part just after a left bend. Climbing up you'll see Pitlochry's local mountain on the left, Ben Vrackie.
The road is unfenced and there will probably be sheep wandering about. Despite the fact that it is a class A road it is normally reasonably quiet as we are leaving the popular tourist areas.
As you come up you pass the Moulin Hotel which is a great local pub full of character. After that there are no refreshment stops until Kirkmichael.
This road is really skirting the southern edge of the Grampian and Cairngorm Mountains. This is the largest upland area in Scotland containing 39 separate summits over 3000 feet.
Once the climb is done it's virtually all downhill until you get to Kirkmichael. There are several B&Bs, some in Kirkmichael and some you'll pass by just north of the village. There's a food shop and cafe in the local garage. Just after that, at the south side of the village at the B950 road junction, the Strathardle Inn does excellent food and has real ale. The Kirkmichael Hotel in the centre of the village is reopening on the 6th December after a major refurbishment programme. There is another hotel, The Log Cabin, just west of the village; this is a Norwegian style building in a rural setting.
Continuing east there's a brief climb out of Kirkmichael then a flatter section before reaching Dalrulzion. The hotel there is just north of the road junction and likewise can provide just a cup of tea or full board and accommodation.
The section north of Dalrulzion, leading to Glen Isla, is described on a different page.