This pleasant and popular circuit around Scotland's oldest reservoir offers much for the serious bird watcher or family outings to see the ducks.
Bog Factor
Easy circuit around Gartmore Dam, suitable for all-terrain buggies.
Gartmorn Dam Country Park.
Bus to Sauchie from Alloa - then 1.5km walk through housing estate to start.
NS911940
Gartmorn Dam Country Park is signed from the A908 Tilicoultry to Alloa road and is reached after a 1.5km drive along a residential street with many speed bumps. At the end the road forks - the main car parking is to the left, whilst a cafe and visitor centre overlooking the water are to the right. There are always numerous mute swans, coots and ducks here eager to see if you have any food for them. During the winter months they are joined by migrating and overwintering species including Goldeneye, Greylag and Pink-Footed geese, and Whooper swans.
Start the walk by going past the cafe and visitor centre and starting along the clear waterside path to go round the reservoir in an anti-clockwise direction. The dam was built in 1713 by the local landowner to power water pumps at the Sauchie colliery as well as a number of local mills. Although nature has now reclaimed this once busy industrial site evidence of the past existence can be found later in the walk. There are stunning views across the water towards the Ochils.
As a house is approached turn left to keep on the path near to the water. At one point the path forks - the left branch nearer the lake climbs up to two seats with a good view over the water, whilst the main right hand path bypasses this short uphill. Further on ignore paths off leading into the community woodland to the right.
Eventually the path crosses a bridge and then continues between a hedge and a fence slightly uphill (now away from the loch) to reach the farmhouse at Sherrifyards. Continue ahead with the barns on your right to follow the farm track until a signed path on the left leads back to the water.
Soon the ruins of Sherrifyard's Colliery can be seen amongst the trees. Coal was once big business in this area, and the port at Alloa on the Firth of Forth meant it could be easily transported to markets along the north east coast and on the continent from here. The path runs in a straight line following the line of the former railway which transported the coal to Alloa. After passing a bird hide (the key can be borrowed from the visitor centre during opening hours) the path soon emerges at the car park at the start of the walk.
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