Sheriffmuir Big Wood, nr Dunblane, Stirling

Jasper and Tommy thoroughly enjoying a frosty Sheriffmuir Big Wood (click/tap to enlarge)

Sheriffmuir Big Wood lies at the edge of the Ochil Hills near to Dunblane in the council area of Stirling. Our walk takes in a 2.2 mile loop from the Clan MacRae Monument out past the Gathering Stone and Hydro Pond. There are information boards along the way that will allow you to find out more about the Clan MacRae and the Battle of Sheriffmuir that took place here in 1715, as well as information about the Gathering Stone and Hydro Pond. As you will see from the route map at the end of the article, a longer circular route can be taken if desired.

Paths are good quality throughout with a modest incline on the return part of the route. There is a new path now linking the car park to the wood. Keep dogs on leads though until you've crossed the road to the Clan MacRae Monument and you're on the woodland path. Also be aware that the Hydro Pond does freeze in very cold weather, so keep yourselves and pets off the ice.

We last walked the route at the start of the current spell of cold weather and the road up from the Stirling side was already somewhat icy, though passable with care. From the Dunblane side, the road was better as it had been gritted (probably for the shooting party at Kippendavie Estate). Since our visit the weather has worsened and I'd personally avoid driving up to Sheriffmuir at the moment.

You'll find route maps, link to car park on Google Maps and GPX navigation file, at the end of the article. Information is current as of our last visit in December 2022. All images can be clicked/tapped to enlarge.

Here are some photos from our trip!

The Clan MacRae Monument (click/tap to enlarge)

Happy little Tommy scurrying around!

Jasper backed with a nice view of the surrounding hills

Tommy at The Gathering Stone

Jasper surveys the scene and ponders which scent trail to follow next!

A boardwalk crosses a marshy section. The boardwalk has grip strips across it; handy for the icy weather!

The frosty conditions and sunlight of the late afternoon made the route particularly attractive 

The icy Hydro Pond

Thin ice covering the Hydro Pond

Watch out for the Hydro Pond in very cold weather and keep yourselves and pets away from the ice.

The late afternoon sun shines through the woodland

A view out towards the distant hills

Jasper on the last leg of the walk as we return to the Sheriffmuir Road

Tommy surveying the road ahead!

The last section of the route passes fields that do sometimes have sheep in them but they are fenced off

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

Map of route with surrounding paths that can be followed for a longer route if desired

Route detail

Link to start location on Google Maps

NB Google Maps shows the car park as Sheriffmuir Paradise Pools access but it is the main parking area for the wood.

Download GPX navigation file (from Google Drive)

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