Paths3

One way 7 miles

If you are really keen you can extend the previous walk to reach Gargunnock. By following a chain of roads, tracks, paths and quiet roads you will see a lot of local history. Turn right at the cross in Kippen and walk up Burnside – the road ends at Trough Wood and you follow a beaten path (which could be an old road). You will pass Brokencastle and the Kier of Glentirran (sites of Duns), Boquhan Bridge - a fine stone arch, the old school at Burntown (now cottages) and Old Leckie – a 16th century laird’s house visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie. The woodland next to Leckie Burn is a good place to rest before continuing along the road until you reach the path through ‘the Beeches’; this takes you in to the outskirts of Gargunnock. As you deserve it, stop at the Gargunnock Inn or the local shop if you prefer before returning back to Arnprior via Kippen.

One way 6 miles by car

This is best done by car to an improved access point on the B822. After a drive along the track to the car park you can join a circular boardwalk. A walkers route to the Moss would be better for local people and would be much shorter (about 3 miles one way).

There and back 10 miles

The B8034 Port of Menteith Road has light traffic and gets busy during the summer but overall is a pleasant road for cyclists and walkers. The road crosses the River Forth at Cardross Bridge and you pass around the west boundary of the Cardross Estate. Views of the hills (Ben Lomond and the Mentieth Hills) open up as you get closer to Lochend Farm. The hummocky fields of Inchie and the twisty road herald the first encounter with the shores of the Lake of Mentieth. Opportunities to get to the shoreline of the Lake are a bit limited so make the most of the obvious places. There is a small car park with a picnic bench before you get close to the hotel and village.

There and back 5 miles

We are looking for a safe route away from the A811. There are existing tracks but some go through farmyards and one or two new links are needed. The draft core paths plan shows a route that follows the old railway line.

Until there is a proper off-road path between Arnprior and Buchlyvie, the best place to start is on the old railway line off Station Road in Buchlyvie. This route takes you through Flanders Moss wood (not the National Nature Reserve) on a straight path that leads all the way to the new Gartrenich bridge over the River Forth. Only a short distance from here you cross the A81 and pick up the National Cycle Route. Turn right and travel to Aberfoyle (busy with visitors) or turn left to Gartmore (much quieter).