On a recent excursion elsewhere, a friend tipped me off to the existence of the gorge at Craighall, through which runs the remains of the abandoned A93 road from Blairgowrie to Glenshee.
It’s funny to think that the bridge was constructed in 1994 and the road decommissioned in 2008, both of which are well within my lifetime – and given how I visited Glenshee several times in my early years having just moved up to Perth in 2004/5, it’s entirely possible I might have used the old road unawares.
These days it’s little more than a 40-minute saunter for dog walkers – almost like wandering through a woodland but with crash-barriers beside and the occasional painted stripe of a white line former road marking peeking through the inch-deep mud and moss.
With the leaves turning gold in autumn, it’s a post-urban delight in its own way.
Exploring the former A93 road through Craighall gorge outside Blairgowrie.
Funny to think that this bridge was commissioned and the road decommissioned in my own lifetime.
Exploring the former A93 road through Craighall gorge outside Blairgowrie.
Funny to think that this road was decommissioned in my own lifetime.
Exploring the former A93 road through Craighall gorge outside Blairgowrie.
Funny to think that this bridge was commissioned and the road decommissioned in my own lifetime.
Exploring the former A93 road through Craighall gorge outside Blairgowrie.
Funny to think that this road was decommissioned in my own lifetime.
Exploring the former A93 road through Craighall gorge outside Blairgowrie.
Funny to think that this bridge was commissioned and the road decommissioned in my own lifetime.
Exploring the former A93 road through Craighall gorge outside Blairgowrie.
Funny to think that this road was decommissioned in my own lifetime.
Exploring the former A93 road through Craighall gorge outside Blairgowrie.
Funny to think that this bridge was commissioned and the road decommissioned in my own lifetime.
Exploring the former A93 road through Craighall gorge outside Blairgowrie.
Funny to think that this road was decommissioned in my own lifetime.
A study in fallen gold autumn leaves on old tarmac - sweeping arcs of the abandoned former A93 road from Blairgowrie through Craighall Gorge on its way to Glenshee.
A study in fallen gold autumn leaves on old tarmac - sweeping arcs of the abandoned former A93 road from Blairgowrie through Craighall Gorge on its way to Glenshee.
A study in fallen gold autumn leaves on old tarmac - sweeping arcs of the abandoned former A93 road from Blairgowrie through Craighall Gorge on its way to Glenshee.
A study in fallen gold autumn leaves on old tarmac - sweeping arcs of the abandoned former A93 road from Blairgowrie through Craighall Gorge on its way to Glenshee.