Darn Road from Bridge of Allan
| Distance | Approximate Time | Height Gain | OS Map |
| 4.5 kms | 01:15 (hrs:mins) | 0 metres | Explorer 366 - Stirling and Ochil Hills West |
Description
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 a number 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 there were 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 Darn Road/Dunblane. 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. After a boardwalk 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.
Cross over the pipe bridge - this carries water and was made into a bridge to stop people trying to walk across the pipe! Follow the river back downstream, you'll come to the 'beach' area - if you look closely you can see two old chain links attached to the rock on the far side of the river, these may have been used for fishing nets or had something to do with one of the many mills.
Follow the waymarker up the hill and over the railwaybridge, turning to your left and then uphill. Milsey Bank was once a bank for the money from all the mills on the river and the path you've just walked down 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.
Access Info
This walk begins from the Fountain Road car park in Bridge of Allan.
Additional Info
This walk appears in the Community Paths Bridge of Allan Walks Leaflet. To obtain a copy, contact the Stirling Council's Countryside Service on 01786 442971.
