Dunblane to Stirling – The Historical Highlights
A walk from Dunblane to Stirling visiting the Darn Road, a 17th Century copper mine, Airthey Castle, the Wallace Monument, Cambuskenneth Abbey and the old port of Stirling
Date: 04 April 2026
Leader: David
Grade: C+
Number on walk: 24
Length 15.1 km. Ascent 400 m.
Hills climbed: None.
Click here for GPX track of the walk
After leaving Dunblane we followed the Darn Road, initially through the Kippenross Estate but later alongside the River Allan
Leaving the River Allan behind we entered deciduous woodland
Beyond the Darn Road we entered Mine Wood above Bridge of Allan and passed the old copper mine.
The mine was worked intermittently from the early 1600s until about 1815, producing copper ore with small amounts of silver and gold. Water entering the old workings later emerged as mineral‑rich springs, and this discovery directly led to Bridge of Allan developing into a Victorian spa town.
Our lunch stop was on the edge of Mine Wood above Bridge of Allan
After lunch we passed through the grounds of Airthrey Castle now the University of Stirling.
Airthrey Castle is an impressive mansion designed by Robert Adam in the 1790s but remodelled in the 1890s. It was used as a maternity hospital from the 1940s until 1969 when it became part of the university.
After passing the castle we arrived at the lake.
This lake, formally known as Airthrey Loch, is artificial and was created in the late 18th to early 19th century as part of the designed landscape laid out for the Airthrey Estate.
Our last climb of the day took us to Abbey Craig and the foot of the Wallace Monument.
The rain had set in by the time we reached the monument and the view was less extensive than usual.
The view from Abbey Craig of the River Forth and Stirling with Stirling Castle prominent near the centre of the picture