Strathardle. Known locally as "the glen", the strath runs for 13 miles from Glen Brerachean on the Moulin Moors to the confluence of the River Ardle and the Blackwater just east of Bridge of Cally. The Ardle starts opposite the road to Glenfernate, where the Brerachean and the Fernate meet, and is bridged at Enochdhu, Kirkmichael, Pitcarmick, Dalnabreck, Ballintuim, Blackcraig, Cally Lodge and Bridge of Cally. The bridge to Blackcraig is of architectural significance as it has a house built over it. The house on the bridge is one of the glen's best kept secrets. Strathardle is named after a Pictish warrior called Ardle who was killed at Enochdhu in a battle with the Danes in the 12th century. His burial mound in the grounds of Dirnanean Lodge is over twelve feet long but whether he was a giant as reputed or had another warrior buried at his feet is open to conjecture! Stagecoach buses connect Kirkmichael with Blairgowrie, Tarvie and Spittal of Glenshee. The nearest railway station is Pitlochry railway station (12 miles), from where there is direct express service to London, including the Caledonian Sleeper. Hotels Originally Kirkmichael had two hotels, the Kirkmichael Hotel and the Aldchlappie Hotel, but over the 20th and 21st centuries this changed regularly. In the 1970s, the Kirkmichael Hotel was split in two, with part becoming the Strathlene Hotel, which in due course became Kirkmichael Apartments. Aldchlappie has largely remained unchanged but changed name to the Strathardle Inn and is now the Strathardle Lodge guest house and cake baking school. In 1968, the Edelweiss Hotel was built in the style of a Norwegian log lodge on the Glen Derby road and quickly became a popular venue for locals, skiers and night clubbers with buses coming in from Dundee and Perth to the regular functions. Over the years, it too changed names and clientele becoming the Log Cabin Hotel, the Pine Trees, the Valhalla Lodge and (as of 2022) the Kaoglen Lodge. References External links Explore the Kirkmichael Path Network - Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust Villages in Perth and Kinross