Cycling Perth to Dunning

Aberdalgie on the B9112, near Perth

Dunning is a Perthshire village famous for the Dupplin Cross, a carved Pictish Stone. One way to get there is this 10 mile route from Perth. It's mainly on the quiet B9112. This is largely a functional route, a road to get you somewhere, but there are some delightful moments.

It begins in Perth's South Inch Park which is one minute from the train station. This is a lovely green space and its worth setting aside some to time to enjoy it. There is a large pond with a boardwalk and plenty of benches to have a quiet moment.

The boardwalk in Perth's South Inch Park

Look for the cycle signage, in the park,  marked for Bridge of Earn and follow it. 

Cycle signage in South Inch Park

It will direct you under this low tunnel, to exit the park:

This low tunnel in South Inch Park is the start of the cycling route

The path follows Craigie Burn for a short distance and then takes you through residential streets. It's all pretty ordinary until you pass a waterfall adjacent to one of the housing developments. It must be special to see this each time you leave your home!

The waterfall at Windsor Terrace in Perth

Once you reach the end of Windsor Terrace turn left at the roundabout to go up Queen Street, then straight ahead at the next roundabout onto Queens Avenue.  Head straight along here and the road turns into Woodside Crescent. Look out for a path on the left heading uphill. Take this and you are on a cycling/walking path behind the housing. I was here in spring when this path is decorated with snowdrops.

Snowdrops along the cycle path

The path takes you to the Low Road, which joins the B9112.

This is the dull part of the route where the road climbs and climbs. It is a bit of a slog, there is nothing to look at and it passes beneath the M90 motorway. The good thing is that the road doesn't get much traffic and it is wide and smooth.

Once the climb is over the vista suddenly becomes wonderful. There is a horizon of those rolling hills and farmland that Perthshire does so well. For a couple of miles the road looks down on the River Earn valley. It is spectacular and somewhat of a revelation after the previous couple of unpromising miles.

Alongside the road at Aberdalgie there is one of those rural red telephone boxes that I love so much. It sits on a grassy patch with trees and an adjacent house with interesting church-style windows. Inside the box it was thick with spider webs, showing how little it is being used.

Telephone box at Aberdalgie

Make the short diversion to Aberdalgie Parish Church. It's worth it. The location is tranquil with birdsong and the gently flowing Milltown Burn the only sounds. The building dates from 1773 and features Georgian arched windows. The bell is housed in an elegant canopy, rung by an external rope that is secured with very neat knots to the wall. 

Aberdalgie Church

Aberdalgie church, showing the bell tower and Georgian windows

Rope bell pull on Aberdalgie church

Inside Aberdalgie Church

​I loved the welcome sign at the entrance. Here's an extract from it:

​"We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, confused, filthy rich or dirt poor. We even extend a special welcome to wailing babies and excited toddlers. We don't care if you're more Christian than the Archbishop of Canterbury, or haven't been to church since Christmas ten years ago. "

A walk in the graveyard reveals plenty of moss covered stones and there is a very significant tomb overlooking the burn. This is the final resting place of Stirling Castle's Governor, Sir William Oliphant, who defended it against English forces in 1304.

Gravestones in Aberdalgie Churchyard

Grave of Stirling Castle's Governor, Sir William Oliphant, in Aberdalgie Churchyard

Gravestone in Aberdalgie Churchyard

Back on the B9112 you soon come to an 11% downhill that's fun to ride. 

Start of the 11% descent on the B9112 between Perth and Dunning

2.5 miles from here takes you to a wonderful stone arched bridge, dating from the 1760s. It suddenly appears among the trees and took me by surprise that something this old and beautiful is still part of the modern road network. Once you ride onto it you will notice the triangular shaped refuges that jut out for pedestrians to stand in when vehicles pass. I stopped to try one of them and enjoyed looking out at the river for a few minutes.

Forteviot Bridge, crossing the River Earn. It dates from 1766

The bridge crosses the River Earn onto the B934 road. A short distance after the bridge the road travels over the railway line at a level crossing, Three more miles, through flat farming country, and the road arrives into Dunning.

If this ride has inspired you to find out more about the world of bicycle racing then the best betting sites for cycling is a great place to start. 

Looking for something to eat and a place to stay in Dunning? Read my review of the Kirkstyle Inn.​