Favoutite Walks - The Darn Walk

04/04/2010

Here's a great way to spend an hour or two exploring the beautiful countryside between Dunblane and Bridge of Allan, following the historic Darn Walk footpath along the clear Allan Water. 

Whichever direction you choose to go there's plenty of places to find refreshments, snacks and meals at the end - or half way through - your wander.  Here we've decided to start at the top, as it were, in Dunblane. 

Known as  the 'Cathedral City', Dunblane is hardly New York or Tokyo.  Instead it has real, old world charm in its narrow main street and a beautiful, ancient cathedral - from which the 'city' status is derived.  Anyway, park in town, then find your way to main dual carriageway.  About mid-town you'll see a wooden signpost pointing out the start of the Darn Walk. 

The first mile leads past Dunblane Golf Club, then on through woodlands, following a dry stane dyke (traditional dry stone wall).  Expect the path around here to be muddy in wet weather.  Another mile or so leads on to a stoney section of path, leading down to a small bridge and an intersection of paths, near a wide clearing in the woods. 

You can turn left for a circular walk back towards Dunblane.  But we'll take the right fork and continue along the path, which begins to climb again as it follows the rising river bank, which becomes very steep-sided.  Here you'll come upon a rocky cave in the banking, which was frequented by one Robery Louis Stevenson during holidays in the then spa town of Bridge of Allan.  Clearly it fired his imagination and Bridge of Allan's cave - among other local landmarks - features in 'Treasure Island'. 

The path continues for another mile until is emerges on a road in Bridge of Allan.  Follow this downhill for a short distance to the town.  In Bridge of Allan you'll find plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs (try the wee Rising Sun, if you like a good pint and some earthy good crack).  Right where you join the town is Bridge of Allan's famous chippie - the Allan Water Cafe.  Perhaps with all that fresh air you'll be ready to tackle one of their 'large' fish portions - which always guarantees a 'whale' of a time. 

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