Baxter's Loan

Distance: 3 miles /4.8 km, Time: 1 hour 30mins

Countryside view An easy circular walk around Dunblane with views west over the Braes of Doune and east to Sheriffmuir.

From the Cathedral go down the High Street to cross the river at the Stirling Arms Hotel. Bear right through Bridgend and continue by a footbridge over the railway. After crossing the footbridge, bear immediately left and take the steps beside the cream coloured building to join the Doune Road at Springfield Terrace. The building to the left of the cream building is a World War 2 air raid shelter. Cross to the telephone box (at the foot of the Old Doune Road) and follow this road steadily uphill for 1km and pass Dunblane High School on your left. (1 mile/1.6 km./30 mins.)

Immediately after the High School, a path known as Baxter’s Loan leads off to the left. Continue along the loan for 1km before turning left for Wanderwrang Cottage and the small housing development at the former Hillside Farm (2 miles/3km/1 hr). Pass in front of the Hillside houses, and head downhill for 30m before picking up the path on the left, which leads up through a metal gate to a field. Continue along the top of the field, and cross a stile before heading downhill to the Church of the Holy Family in Dunblane. To return to the Cathedral from thispoint, bear left along Claredon Place, right at Sunnyside, up to the traffic lights and left over the railway bridge.