Hillfoot Hill, The Ochil Hills, Dollar, Clackmannanshire

Great views over the Forth Valley from the Hillfoot Hill (click / tap to enlarge)

Here's a walk in the Ochil Hills that is usually nice and quiet. It takes us around a mostly circular route of Hillfoot Hill, above the pretty village of Dollar, in the wee county of Clackmannanshire. Most walkers tend to head up Dollar Glen and up past the dramatic Castle Campbell, leaving this route relatively unknown and mainly walked by a small number of locals. The route climbs steadily and the views over the Forth Valley are spectacular.

The route can be a bit muddy along the initial section after it leaves the road but it's a good quality track after that. Occasionally there are periods when forestry work is undertaken on the hill, so do be aware of signs, diversions and path closures. We generally avoid the route altogether when there is work going on there. Also keep an eye out for the occasional mountain bikers along the route as there are mountain bike trails that cross the main path in a couple of places.

Route maps, link to car park on Google Maps and GPX navigation file can be found at the end of the article. Information current as of our last visit in August 2022. Photos taken at various times between 2020 and 2022. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge them.

Our walk starts at the Lawhill Community Woodland car park on the Upper Hillfoot Road above Dollar (click / tap to enlarge)

Exit the car park and turn right up Upper Hillfoot Road. The road is marked as cycle and pedestrian friendly but do watch out for cars nonetheless.

After approximately 100 metres, turn left up the driveway between the five bar gates

At the fork, keep right and go through the side gate on to the forestry track

Once past the gate, the dogs can usually get off the lead and Jasper in particular is in his element! At the top of the first uphill section stick to the main path as it curves right and continues to climb.

As usual Jasper is blazing a trail!

The impressive views over the Forth Valley soon become apparent on the right, as we ascend the ridge

At the fork with the bench on the right, take the left fork and prepare for yet more ascent!

At the end of the section another bench is reached with a view over the Ochils. Stick to the main path as it bends to the right here.

A look back down towards the Forth and Tommy is still full of beans!

As the uphill portion of the route finally plateaus, we get a view out towards Glenquey Reservoir

More great views as we begin our descent. On the right hand side, weather permitting, you'll see the Queensferry Crossing and on the left, Loch Leven. Stick to the main path as it bends around to the right and follow it straight back down to re-join the route back to the car park.

A photo from a day with less favourable weather conditions! Jasper's wondering where all the scenery has gone!

 

Route overview and surrounding area (click / tap to enlarge)

Route detail - part 1 of 2

Route detail - part 2 of 2

Link to start location on Google Maps

Download GPX file (from Google Drive)

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

Otter Ferry, Cowal Peninsula, Argyll and Bute

View across Loch Fyne from Otter Ferry (click / tap to enlarge image)

The Cowal Peninsula in Argyll and Bute is somewhat off the beaten track but it's a wonderful place to visit, with its beautiful sea and freshwater lochs, mountains, breath-taking views and picturesque villages. It's a great place to escape to, away from the crowds found in the more popular tourist areas of Scotland.

This walk takes us along the coast of Loch Fyne from Otter Ferry to Ballimore House and back. The road down Loch Fyne to Otter Ferry is single track with regular passing places. It's quite a stunning road to drive down though.

The walking route is approximately 1 mile each way. The shore was out of bounds to the dogs as the entire tide line was splattered with jellyfish. Being a sea loch, jellyfish are often found at this time of year on Loch Fyne. Part of the route also follows a private access road and you're quite likely to come across the occasional car. It was therefore a walk on the lead for the boys. Despite that, the views are wonderful and it's still a very worthwhile walk.

Jellyfish all along the tide line

There's a car park at the Oystercatcher pub/restaurant at the start of the walk. They also have outside seating where dogs are welcome. I believe booking is necessary if you want a meal there, as they have a very good reputation and get booked up quite a ways in advance.

As always, route maps, link to car park on Google Maps and GPX file can all be found at the end of the article. Information is current as of our last visit in September 2022. All images can be clicked / tapped to enlarge.

Our walk starts at the car park outside the Oystercatcher restaurant at Otter Ferry (click / tap to enlarge image)

An information board at the car park details some very interesting history about the area

The views from the shores of Loch Fyne at the car park are immediately spectacular

Photographing Tommy the easy way - get him to sit on something!

Looking down Loch Fyne towards the Kintyre Peninsula

View up Loch Fyne

Exit the car park along the road, passing the Oystercatcher restaurant and seating area on the left

The walk continues down the private access road along the shore. Watch out for the occasional car. Keep right and follow the shore.

Beware the gravel spit jutting out into the loch as it's quite easy to get cut off if you walk out there

Jasper hiding behind some Jasper shaped scenery!

The ever excited Tommy having a great time!

Once past the lodges along the road, you'll probably find that you're the only people walking the path

Once we reached the impressive Victorian listed mansion, Ballimore House, we headed back but you can follow the path further along the coast if desired

View back up Loch Fyne

The wild and rugged shores of Loch Fyne

Tommy in one of his trademark poses!

Lots of different birds can be seen on the loch, including quite a few heron. You can see a heron in the middle if you look carefully at the enlarged photo.

A last shot of Loch Fyne as we approach Otter Ferry

Route overview and surrounding area. I've included a very wide view of the surrounding area, since the location is pretty remote. Arrow indicates route location. Click/tap to enlarge image.

Route detail

Link to start location on Google Maps

Download GPX file (from Google Drive)

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

Culross, Fife (Part 1 of 2)

The 13th century Culross Abbey (click / tap to enlarge image)

Part 1 of 2.

Update 03/10/22:

Good news: Jasper's all better, we've been back to Culross and I've now published part 2 of the walk.

Update 26/09/22:

Part 2 of the article is still in the works. I need a few additional photos for the second part but unfortunately I've not been able to get back to Culross to capture them as yet. Since posting part 1, Covid finally caught up with the wife and I and we were both laid up with it. Luckily we recovered in time for our holiday which we've just returned from. Unfortunately, Jasper has picked up some kind of foot infection so he's on antibiotics and full rest at the moment. Once he's fully recovered, we'll take a trip to Culross and I'll complete the second part. In the meantime, I'll post up some other walks. 

The Royal Burgh of Culross (pronounced Coo-Riss) is a lovely historic town in Fife that sits on the River Forth. It's one of the best preserved examples of a 17th century burgh, thanks to the work of the National Trust for Scotland over the years. You'll see their distinctive NTS plaque on many of the properties.

Culross may be a small and unassuming place but it's a very surprising one, as it contains a whole host of worthwhile places to visit. The more time you spend exploring, the more its charms are revealed. Culross is also sometimes chosen as a film and TV location; the popular TV series "Outlander" and the Marvel film "Captain America: The First Avenger" being examples.

Our walk is a 3.6 mile circular and meandering affair, that visits the popular spots but also the places that most visitors don't discover. It takes in the main town with its steep, narrow streets, some of which are cobbled, the promenade and pier, the ruins of the West Kirk above the town on one side and Culross Abbey and Abbey Mansion House, on the other. I've split the article into two parts as there is so much to cover.

You'll find public toilet facilities at the car park side of the West Green and if you're after a bite to eat or a cuppa, there are two dog friendly cafés that I'd recommend: The Biscuit Café (just off the main square, "Sandhaven") and Bessie's (same area, next to Culross Palace).

Our start location is the west car park but Culross can be busy at times and if that car park is full, you can park in the east car park instead. The walk runs through the east car park too, so you can also pick up the walk from there. Both car parks are free.

Information is current as of our last visit in September 2022. Photos are taken from various trips between 2019 and 2022. Link to car parks on Google Maps, maps of the route and GPX navigation file can be found at the end of part 2 of the article. All images can be clicked/tapped to enlarge them.

West car park (click / tap to enlarge image)

Exit the car park heading west out of Culross along the promenade

The promenade follows the old Kincardine railway. You can see the tower of Dunimarle Castle up on the right and across the water, the Grangemouth Oil Refinery.

Grangemouth Oil Refinery across the Forth

A little way further along the promenade, you will see the entrance to the 18th century Dunimarle Castle on the right hand side. It's worth a visit but dogs are not permitted. The gardens are free and you can also take a paid tour of the castle itself.

If you want to take a detour to Dunimarle Castle, go through the gap in the fence at the far end. Take care crossing the main road, then double back to the entrance to the castle grounds (as can be seen on the right of the photo).

Dunimarle Castle

Trees including giant sequoias line the avenue at Dunimarle Castle

Continuing along the promenade, we take a right to the side of the gate (signposted "The Wallace Spa", Devilla Forest and West Kirk). Take care as we approach and cross the main road here.

Cross over and take the somewhat hidden path to the left of the driveway and into the woods

Initially the path runs to the right of a rust coloured, muddy burn that you may want to keep your dogs out of!

Further on, the path passes alongside some fields on the left

The narrow path continues uphill for a short distance, before coming out above Culross

The path arrives at a T-junction. Turn right here (signposted Culross and Fife Coastal Path).

Incidentally, the left hand path leads to the "Plague Grave" where three children from the same family are buried. They died during the Great Plague of 1645. It's an interesting place but the grave is not much to look at. If you do decide to make the diversion it's a little over ½ mile each way (a bit further than the 700 yards stated on the sign). Keep an eye out for the right hand turn off the path that goes up to the graves.

Continue straight along the path towards Culross

Carry straight on where the path narrows

A short way further along the path, we come to the ruins of the 13th century West Kirk.

Tommy making sure that there aren't any restless spirits about!

Lots of very old graves here

The 18th century Dalgleish Mausoleum

Jasper taking a break

A robin sits atop an intricately carved cross

Leaving the kirk, our walk continues on along the path.

Tommy chilling out at the edge of one of the fields that we passed

View of the Forth across the fields, with Bo'ness on the opposite side of the river

Keep straight on following the signs for Culross and Culross Abbey

A short way along the path, we come to a road. Our walk now takes us along roads until we return to the promenade later, so it's back on the lead for the dogs. Head straight on down the road.

At the end of the road we reach a T junction with Kirk Street. Turn right here.

We soon reach the 13th century Culross Abbey. The church is free to visit and it's well worth having a look around inside (minus dogs of course).

Culross Abbey

Interior Culross Abbey

Sir George Bruce of Carnock memorial, Culross Abbey. Sir George Bruce was a prominent merchant / ship owner / engineer and brother of Edward Bruce, 1st Lord Kinloss. He also built Culross Palace.

Walk through the church graveyard and out at the far end down to the 17th century Abbey Mansion House. This grand house was built by Edward Bruce, 1st Lord Kinloss.

Abbey Mansion House

Retrace your footsteps through the graveyard and back to the road. Turn left and continue down the hill on Kirk Street. You'll pass the ruins of the 13th century abbey monastery on the left but it's closed at present pending structural work.

Further down the hill you'll come to a right hand turn "Erskine Brae". Take a brief diversion here to take a look at the "Lockit Well" in the wall, historical water supply to Culross.

The Lockit Well

Return to Kirk Street and continue down the hill on Tanhouse Brae.

Our walk will continue in part 2 which will be published soon!

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ OUR DISCLAIMER WHICH ALSO INCLUDES IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.