Broomridge, St Ninians, Stirling

Named for the yellow broom which covers this area Broomridge is supposed to have great views. But today was misty and while the sun tried to break through it never managed while I was walking. I only had 45 minutes for lunch as I was on a course and this was on the doorstep. Perfect.

 

Shirra's Brae

 

 

River Walk at Forthside, Stirling

Parked at The Vue cinema and walked over Forthside Way to the path beside the river. Stunningly sunningly. It was about 4 in the afternoon and the contrast between the sky and shadowy path was high. It would be nice if there were seats along here as the people who work in the area could eat their lunches by the river. The lady I met had to stand to eat hers. She was amazed to find this place as it is not signposted but she works very close to here. So seats and signposting needed Stirling Council.

 

 

Pirnhall Road, Bannockburn

I parked at Brucefields Family Golf Centre and walked off along the road. It skirts the golf course. The weather was sunny and warm - I didna need ma gloves and bunnet. I've never walked along here before and it was very pleasant.

 “Here's to the long white road that beckons,..."

Chartershall Village to Chartershall House, Stirling

Glorious sunny morning with ice on the car. Walked at 8am as I had a busy day in front of me. I parked at the village and walked over the new bridge crossing the motorway, through the farm and along the farm track to Chartershall House. It wasn't frosty in Stirling even though it was frosty in Dunblane.

It all looks really rural considering I crossed the motorway.

Garron Bridge, Loch Shira by Inveraray

In 1750 they built this bridge so this must have been how the road went. Was there a ferry before then, an earlier bridge or did they wade? I'd planned to go up Glen Shira but decided to walk the bridge and old road instead. It was peaceful and interesting historically. Being beside the water is always pleasant and soothing.

 I walked along the path on the right and returned along the path on the left. The house on the right has round windows.

The road back

Looking across to Inveraray with Loch Fyne stretching away south on the right.

The bridge crosses the Gearr Abhainn which means short river. It changes from fresh to brackish with the tides and looked incredibly clear today.

Bracklinn Falls, Callander

Walked with Sally up to the Bracklinn Falls where the new bridge looks magnificent. It was built by Strong Bridge in Crieff who always try and use local materials to build the bridges. Met friends there who knew the builder. The sun was really warm so we lay and bathed in it while listening to the birds.

The water is very low at the moment in the stream but you can see how it has carved the rock.

Under the bridge you can see the rocks and steps where the old bridge was until it was washed away.

We had a cup of coffee in the Bridgend Cafe afterwards. Callander has such an impresive setting for its High Street.

Baxters Loan, Dunblane

Baxters Loan sits between the bypass and the High School. Loan is an old Scots word for Lane often referring to a lane leading to a meadow. Baxter derives from Baker but in this case I suspect it comes from a local who used or owned the meadow. But I've no references at all to this.

It was a nice day, dry and good walking weather.

 

Here is a view over the bypass showing the snowy mountains to the North west. On the right you can just make out the wind farm at the Braes of Doune.

 

Beside the high school

Views over to the golf course from Baxters Loan

Here you can see the Hydro (now the Doubletree Hotel). It used to be hidden but Hungryhill Wood has become an ex wood as it has been clear felled.

Kings Park Stirling

Today I walked in my lunch time around Kings Park. There are many walks around this park. I parked on the road near the Golf Club House and walked along the nearest path. I ended up coming out near the skatepark which was fantastic. They worked on it all last summer to improve it but I had not managed a close look at it. It was another dry day.

 The golf course runs along this path for a while

These mosaics were round the park?

What a beautiful location for a skatepark

Glen Road, Bridge of Allan

I tried to walk up the Glen Road from Bridge of Allan but there was such a huge hole I had to detour. The road was closed to traffic in 1987 after a landslide. There was a another big landslide in December 2011 but that has been repaired by volunteers. So there has been another since.

Now this is a hole

And from the other side. There is a house beside it which would worry me.

 

And a bit further along the road was this sign where I turned back. I only had 20 minutes and you are never sure of phone reception when you fall down a big hole.

 

Someone once lost their whole tennis court into a hole further along here. Judy Murray has bought a house near here so Judy beware.

 This joins the Darn Walk

 

Not sunny today but it was a nice dry day and not too cold.

Cowie to Plean via Station Road

Another stunning day. The fields and hills looked tremendous. I walked past the fibreboard mill so took some photos. It was all gleaming metal but doesn't look as shiny in the photos. This is my 50th day of walking daily. I'm up to 52 walks so have two in reserve if I do have a problem but at the moment all is going well. I feel good.

 

This view was so good with the hills in the North. They look so stunning.

 

There were lots of snowdrops in the bank. Unfortunately there was also a lot of litter. I took this photo of just the snowdrops.

 

And back along the road. I do not have someone to pick me up at the end of the walk so they have to be circular or there and back.

 

And back to where I parked.

Old Railway Line Path, Denny

I found the map of Denny I had confusing today. Not very good in the pamphlet. It is an old railway line with tarmac laid to make a path. But this was my first time in Denny to walk so I was also collecting possible walks for the future.

What a glorious day. The sun was shining and it was warm even though I had to scrape the ice of my car this morning. More like this please.

This is the bridge over the River Carron.