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An easygoing morning stroll before lunch in Dunblane and a look around the museum and cathedral. The forecast for unbroken sunshine didn't quite come to pass, but still a pleasant, crisp autumnal day. We parked on a side street in Dunblane and took a train to the start in Bridge of Allan (only a couple of minutes, very frequent).
River Allan at Bridge of Allan:
After a quick tour of a housing estate, the Darn Road starts in earnest, on the east bank and along field edges.
The path mostly runs a little above river level, but various narrower branches give access to the water's edge.
Half a mile along, there's a deep little side valley to cross, with steep steps down to a small footbridge over Cock's Burn. Running water and washed-down rocks covering the path here.
Another section through woodland, then a descent back to the Allan Water. There's a cave which was apparently the inspiration for Ben Gunn's cave in Robert Louis Stevenson's
Treasure Island. A bench next to it is adorned with a map and various items from the novel.
Autumn colours lining the banks of the river:
After a bridge over Kippenrait Glen, the path becomes a beautiful old track squeezed between narrow walls. It feels like things haven't changed here for decades.
Next there's a narrower section between fields:
A less interesting part alongside a golf course next, but Dunblane wasn't far beyond.
