This simple walk follows a private road into the empty glens of the Ochils, with good views over two reservoirs.
Private tarmac road throughout; fair amount of ascent
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Start of Hydro-road near summit of Glen Devon. Map and directions.
A tarmac track branches west off the A823 road near the head of Glen Devon, just south of the highest point on the pass. Signed as a footpath and for the Frandy fisheries, it runs between iron railings before a parking area is reached on the left after a couple of hundred metres. Leave the car here and begin the walk by continuing along the road. There are soon good views looking back down Glen Devon, backed by a windfarm atop the smooth slopes of the Ochils. The road soon passes a derelict but attractive old pump house, dated 1924.
Continue on the road as it swings left with a view of the grassy dam of the first reservoir ahead. A wooden footpath sign indicates where a path branches off to the left. This is part of the Glen Devon reservoirs trail, a new 14 kilometre linear walk that runs from here to the foot of the glen. The route has been set up by the Woodland Trust who have bought extensive tracts of Glendevon. One and a half million native trees have been planted as part of a scheme to 're-wild' the glen. Our walk continues along the tarmac road, keeping right at the fork to climb up and reach the lower reservoir.
Beyond the dam the road approaches a wooden building, headquarters for the Frandy fishery. There are usually fishermen both along the edges of the reservoir and out on boats. Beyond the building the road begins to climb uphill, giving excellent views. The Ochils are bald, steep but rolling hills with slopes of grass and bracken, and as height is gained there is a real feeling of loneliness.
The road reaches its highest point above a bend in the reservoir, then bending left and descending slightly towards the upper reservoir which now comes into view ahead. Continue towards this, keeping left when the road forks. Ignore the next branch off to the left (which leads to the very lonely Backhills Farm) and cross a bridge over the reservoir outflow before reaching the upper dam.
The outflow from the upper reservoir is surrounded by water and can appear quite eerie when the reservoir is full - like a whirlpool. Unless extending the walk by climbing any of the Ochils (map and compass required), the return is best made the same way.
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Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.
