View of Forter Castle – Glen Isla loop from Kirkton of Glenisla

Mountain biking trails

United Kingdom

Scotland

Aberdeenshire

Kirriemuir Landward West

View of Forter Castle – Glen Isla loop from Kirkton of Glenisla

Easy

5.0

(1)

riders

View of Forter Castle – Glen Isla loop from Kirkton of Glenisla

01:24

23.1km

260m

Mountain biking

Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 17, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Cairngorms National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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32 m

Glenisla Hotel

Highlight • Pub

Kirkton of Glenisla, an ancient farming community with Bronze Age and Pictish remains, has a deep ecclesiastical heritage reflected in its name, meaning "church town." From the 14th to 16th centuries, it was part of the lands of Coupar Angus Abbey, which influenced the area's farming development. After the Reformation, the lands were feued to the Ogilvy family, later Earls of Airlie, with Forter Castle remaining as a historical landmark. In the 19th century, the area became a romantic destination, attracting Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Glenisla also saw the construction of Brackny Bridge in 1824, designed by John Justice, marking a significant moment in the area's architectural history.

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85 m

Glenisla Kirk

Highlight • Religious Site

Glenisla Kirk, a small Gothic church built in 1821, is located at the west end of Kirkton of Glenisla on the B951. Originally part of a religious site dating back to the 13th century, it was first gifted to the Abbey of Cambuskenneth by King William the Lion and later transferred to the Abbey of Coupar Angus in 1311. After numerous repairs, the original church was replaced with the current structure. Now owned by the Glenisla Church Trust, it continues to serve the community with monthly informal evening services (April to December) and a Christmas Eve Watch Night Service. It also offers a venue for weddings and funerals, with local venues providing additional support.

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430 m

Justice Dundas Suspension Bridge

Highlight • Monument

Built in 1824 by Dundee engineer John Justice, this 19-meter iron suspension bridge is the oldest of its kind in Scotland and served as a prototype for a larger version at the Haughs of Drimmie. Featuring a sheep gate at one end, it was likely built to help children from Auchenleish cross the River Isla to reach school. Damaged by extreme weather in 2021, it has since been repaired. Previously, a ford behind the manse allowed passage along the Coffin Road, used to transport coffins from Kilry to Glenisla Graveyard, but frequent spates have rendered it impassable.

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6.86 km

Drumore Loch

Highlight • Lake

Excellent cycling route past this lochan

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16.0 km

View of Forter Castle

Highlight • Historical Site

Forter Castle, built in 1560 by the Ogilvys of Airlie, is a four-storey tower house that was restored in the 1990s after falling into ruin. Its strong defenses made it difficult to capture by surprise, and it withstood various attacks until 1640, when it was besieged by a force of 5,000 men with heavy artillery. The castle was at the heart of a personal feud between the Ogilvys and the Campbells, stemming from land disputes and religious differences. The feud escalated into violent raids, with the Campbells attacking Forter and its lands. In 1640, Archibald Campbell, the Earl of Argyll, led a campaign against the Ogilvys, ultimately razing the castle in an act of personal vengeance. The Countess of Ogilvy is said to have witnessed the destruction from a nearby hill, marking the end of an era for the Ogilvy family in Glenshee.

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19.5 km

Glen Isla

Highlight • Gorge

A pretty glen on the border between Perthshire and Angus. The road follows the river Isla north and avoids the slightly busier B951. You can make this into a great loop around Mount Blair from Blairgowrie in the south.

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