Stirling

Darn

The Darn Road

Distance: 4.5km / 2.5 miles

Countryside view A ramble along the beautiful banks of the Allan Water to Stevenson's Cave and returning along the far bank. There is an option to continue along the Darn Road to Dunblane (see Dunblane Walks leaflet).

Walk up Fountain Road and on to Henderson Street, turn left and use the crossing to get safely to the other side, carry on in the same direction. As you pass the Allan Water Café you’ll notice a plaque on the wall - there are nine of these along Henderson Street pointing out interesting features of this old spa town. Looking up to the footpath that leads behind the building you can see a standing stone, this is a tollbar stone, it used to stand at the south end of the old bridge and was used to control access to it.

Take Blairforkie Drive up to the right, the new flats on the left are on the site of an old paper mill. At one time therewere 10 mills along the Allan Water between Bridge of Allan and Dunblane including paper mills, meal mills and sawmills.

A little further along take the footpath signed Dunblane 2 miles. Further along this path a small wooden bridge at the bottom of the fields takes you across the mouth of an old exploratory mine shaft.

The fields above are known as Fishers Green and a resident ’s mother told him she remembered fishing nets (presumably for Salmon) being hung out there to dry.

Take the path down to the stream and cross over the small bridge - the bridge is made from recycled plastic that should withstand the dampness of this shady gully better than wood.

The trees on the far side form a beautiful mature woodland carpeted with bluebells and other wildflowers.

Further along the path over some bedrock there’s a cave on your right.This is ‘Stevensons cave’ and is said to have been where he was inspired to write 'Treasure Island' it ’s a peaceful scene, look for the white breasted dipper bobbing in and out of the water to feed.

At this point you can continue to Dunblane, stay on this side of the river and walk a little further until you see a fingerpost by the next bridge - see the Dunblane Walks Leaflet for more information.

Cross over the pipe bridge - this was converted into a bridge to stop people trying to walk across the pipe! Turn left downstream, then follow the waymarker up the hill and over the railway bridge then bear left.

Milsey Bank House was once a bank for all the mills on the river and the path you've just walked was part of the main track to them all. Milsey Bank then became the Girls school with the Boys school being the large building on your left when you get down to the main road. Once you’re down here turn left and follow the road back into town.