The Pineapple and Dunmore Estate, near Airth

Summary

The Pineapple is perhaps Britain's most surprising building - a unique folly built by the Earl of Dunmore in 1761. As well as the Pineapple, this walk continues through the Dunmore Estate, visiting a ruined tower, the estate village, and the banks of the River Forth.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Mostly waymarked farm tracks; some muddy sections.

Getting there

Start

Car park at the Pineapple.

Public Transport

There is a bus stop on the main road by Dunmore, passed on the walk (buses from Stirling and Grangemouth).

Start Grid Ref

NS890884

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.75km / 3 miles
Time: 1 - 1.5 hours
Ascent: 18m (Profile)

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Explorer 366 - Stirling

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Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

If arriving by car, park at the small car park near the Pineapple, signed from the A905 and accessed via a turning onto the B9124 and then following a rutted track to reach it. Begin the walk by heading through the wrought iron gates into the large grassed walled garden in front of the Pineapple, and head across for a closer look at this amazing structure. The huge fruit is constructed from stonework and fragments of paint found during its restoration suggest that it may once have been painted to appear even more fruit-like. Originally there were heated glasshouses along each side of the Pineapple where the fruits - a great luxury - were grown. Visit the portico of the building for more information about it before turning left (facing the portico from the garden) and then leaving the garden through the next archway on the right.

Stage 2

Through the gateway bear left to follow a path that eventually emerges on a track. Turn right here, following the track through the woods and continuing past the mostly ruined Dunmore Park farm buildings.

Stage 3

Pass to the left of a bungalow and follow the track down an avenue of fine deciduous trees until it meets the busy A905. Carefully cross the busy road and continue down another farm track on the far side to reach Dunmore Home Farm.

Stage 4

Follow the track as it turns right at the farmhouse and continue along it to a path junction alongside the banks of the wide River Forth. Across the water (and for much of the walk) there are good views to the Ochils, with Dumyat to the left and the high but rounded Ben Cleuch in their centre. The Wallace Monument is also in view slightly further left, whilst the prominent hilltop building across the Forth is the Clackmannan Tower. Turn right and follow track near the river.

Stage 5

Soon the lane bends right to reach the picturesque estate village of Dunmore, centred on a bowling green and ornate fountain. Follow the road that leads inland out of the village to return to the A905; the bus stop is just to the left here.

Stage 6

To return to the start, cross the road once more and follow the track opposite. When a junction is reached turn left onto a footpath through the woods. Soon the crumbling ruins of Elphinstone Tower can be seen amongst the trees on the right. It was built in 1510 and was the family home of the Elphinstones until they sold the estate to the Murrays of Dunmore in 1754; the Murrays used the building as a mausoleum. Continue along the path, crossing a small footbridge. A track is reached just short of a high drystone wall - turn left here, and then right at the edge of the woods to return to the start.

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