Category: Stirling

Carron Valley Reservoir

Around 2 miles

START – Carron Valley car park (charge).

Stayed on the shoreline.
Forestry track to Todholes car park to explore soon.
Forestry track being resurfaced.

Great place! Plenty of signposts, impossible to get lost.
The car parking charge is a bit restrictive. You can either stay an hour (£1) or all day (£4). I put £2 pounds in the hope I could get 2 hours but no, one hour it was. A pity! It spoilt my walk at the beginning but two walkers reassured me not to worry, it is pretty relaxed.
I followed the shoreline path as they were doing some work on the forestry track that leads to the Todholes car park (Meikle Bin). Looks like a great cycle route.
So many great spots to stop for lunch. Beautiful scenery.

North Third Reservoir-Earlsburn Reservoirs

Around 4 miles one way

START – North Third Trout Fishery parking area. This is a bit of a weird walk. Not knowing if there was anywhere to park close to the Earlsburn Reservoirs, I decided to park at the North Third and walk from there. Lovely minor road. You can actually park right opposite the track leading to the Earlsburn Reservoirs.

North Third Trout Fishery parking area.
Walk past the North Third Reservoir.
Turn left at junction.
Parking area a mile from junction next to track (to Touchadam Muir?).
Parking spaces opposite track leading to the reservoirs.
Track to the reservoirs (and a house).
Owner of the house driving up.
Towards the house.
Thought it was Reservoir 2 in the distance and Reservoir 1 next, but I think I got it wrong.
Earlsburn Reservoir 2 (I thought it was 1).
Will come back to explore further.

Lovely discovery, great spot!
I thought I saw both reservoirs but looking at the map at home I realised I may only have seen Reservoir 2. Will park closer next time and explore further.

North Third Reservoir circuit

3 miles

START – North Third Trout Fishery near Cambusbarron and Stirling. Parking spaces for 4 or 5 cars next to gate. A couple of parking spaces a bit further the minor road, before the bridge.

Way-marked path after the bridge (left).
First glimpse of the reservoir.
Left (main path).
Steep descent.
Narrow path to the dam on the left.
Narrow path on the left.
Cool bench!
Back to the North Third Trout Fishery and minor road.

A fantastic walk! Not that many parking spaces though.
Directions from the Walkhighlands website are very accurate, here.

Garshellach Forest (exploring)

Around 3.5 miles

START – Forest entrance on the road to Cambusbarron/Touch Business Centre (1/4 mile from the A811 turning). Forest entrance is on the right of the road. 3 or 4 parking spaces.

Stayed on main track (left).
Boggy path.
Abrupt end!

Lovely track! Track seems to stop at burn (too large to cross). Will try to walk from the other side of the burn next time.
Great views of the Forth Valley.

North Third Reservoir

Around 3 miles

START – Signpost PUBLIC PATH TO NORTH THIRD, 1 1/4 miles from the reservoir (coming from the Touch Business Centre).

Didn’t follow the path., walked on the road.
Space for 2 cars opposite signpost.
Straight on.
Path to Cambusbarron (for another day).
Left here.
North Third Reservoir.

Great place so close to Stirling. Plenty to explore!
I walked on the road to check for places to park for my next visit. Not clear, most are passing places.
Will follow the path next time and hopefully get close to the dam.

The Smiddy-River Teith walk

2.5 miles approx. (one way)

START – The Smiddy Farm Shop. Follow the Garden Path from the Smiddy (see previous post).

Took faint path next to pet’s graveyard.
Blair Drummond Caravan Club.
To Quarry Loch.
Cuthill Brae private road.
Took path left of the Loch.
Went right (left goes to Doune).
Took left again.
Signpost to Doune Castle.
Fisherman’s hut.
River Teith.

Great discovery!
There is a gate that leads to the Blair Drummond Caravan Club from the Garden Path (I noticed it on the way back). I followed a narrow path next to what looks like a pet’s graveyard.
Very difficult to park on the Cuthill Brae minor road. They don’t want you there. I was even told by someone from the Caravan Club that the site was closed and to walk back to the Smiddy another way (although there is a signpost from the Caravan Club to the Smiddy).

Blair Drummond Estate Circular (2nd visit)

1.5 miles approx.

START – The Smiddy Farm Shop on the A84 between Doune and Stirling. Plenty of spaces to park (and plenty of spaces for lunch or coffee). Nice shop.

The Smiddy.
Very short section on A84. Take first path on the right (opposite Blair Drummond Community Hall).
Straight on.
Follow Garden Path.
Signposted back to the Smiddy.

Very pleasant short walk. Difficult to get lost as most paths seem to bring back to the Smiddy.