Castle Campbell and Dollar Glen

Summary

This classic shorter walk explores of the gorges of the Dollar Glen and has been popular with visitors and locals alike since Victorian times. There are many footbridges, viewpoints, waterfalls and the impressive Castle Campbell. It's a good walk to interest children although steep; care should be taken in many places.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Narrow path above steep gorge, railings in places, steps and steep sections.

Getting there

Start

West Burnside, Dollar.

Public Transport

Regular bus service from Stirling and St Andrews.

Start Grid Ref

NS962979

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.7km / 2.25 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 184m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

The walk is described from the centre of Dollar, which can be reached by bus; there is street parking on West (or East) Burnside, a pair of lanes either side of the Kelly Burn and reached off the High Street. If there is no space, there's a walkers car park higher up but this omits part of the walk. Head up either Burnside to reach the Dollar Museum at the top end. Take the path between the museum and the burn, signed for Dollar Glen and Castle Campbell. This soon leads to a park with picnic benches overlooking the burn. Continue along the path, eventually entering the woodland and then turning left to cross a bridge. From here the path climbs quite steeply up a series of steps through the mixed woodland, with a high proportion of oak trees.

Stage 2

Eventually the gradient eases somewhat and the path runs alongside the edge of the wood, with open fields over to the left. Eventually there's a path junction - a short detour to the right leads to a bench with a view of Castle Campbell. The castle dates from the early 15th century when it was known as Castle Glume although it later became a stronghold of the Earls of Argyll who changed the name to Castle Campbell. Now managed by Historic Scotland it is open all year.

Stage 3

Continue along the path, passing through a gate and descending. The walk now continues upstream, crossing a bridge before climbing a slope. Part way up take the path on the left which soon leads down to a bridge. Cross here and follow the path which then climbs steeply up-zig zags.

Stage 4

At the top there is a good view of the Castle and railings to protect walkers from the steep cliff just beyond here. Follow the narrow path around to the left, rather than the wider path heading straight up the ridge. The path follows the gorge of the Burn of Sorrows and soon reaches a junction. Turn right here to cross the bridge at a double waterfall and follow the path on the far side. This is the most spectacular part of the walk; take care with children near the steep drops. After a gate the path descends to the road just above Castle Campbell.

Stage 5

Take the path on the left as you look towards the castle. The path descends a series of concrete steps to the glen floor. Cross a bridge and follow the water downstream, littered with tree trunks and other natural debris. After a long flight of steps down and before more steps up, you can detour a short way ahead to the meeting of the two burns at a viewpoint. Keep right at any other junctions and soon John Knox's Pulpit is reached, a stone viewpoint jutting out over the water where he is said to have preached in the 16th century.

Stage 6

Keep following the clear path downhill, passing an old icehouse on the right and soon reaching the bridge crossed on the way up earlier. Stay on this side of the water to re-enter the park and return to the road at Dollar.

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