The easy circuit around Airthrey Loch at the heart of the University of Stirling campus has lovely views of Dumyat and plenty of wildlife; this route adds a steep climb through the woods for superb views over Stirling, its castle and the Wallace Monument.
Cyclepath around the loch och at University, but also rough woodland path with steep sections.
Buses from city centre.
Stirling University.
Stirling University is set on a campus built in the landscaped grounds of Airthrey Castle. It is a short bus ride from the city, on the edge of Bridge of Allan. If driving, follow signs to the University and main reception, and park in the main car park outside the Cottrell Building - there's a parking charge on weekdays. From here walk to the left as you face the main building complex and bear left on the cyclepath that slopes down to Airthney loch. Keep left along the lochside.
There are usually swans, moorhens and ducks on the water, and a great view of Dumyat, the hill in the distance. At the west end of the loch is a square sculpture; fork right immediately after this to keep need the water's edge. Turn right again at the next junction to return to the lochside, passing below the large blocks which are the university halls of residence. This section is known as George Forrest walk, and is planted with species originally collected in China by the eponymous collector and botanist. After passing the bridge keep on the main path which heads away from the loch, towards the halls. Keep straight ahead when a surfaced path goes off to the left and soon a parking area and road is reached.
Cross the road and turn left, then and after a short distance take the earth path that leads off sharply right, sloping uphill towards the woods. Lookout for a turning on the left and take this through a doorway in the stone wall. Go up the steps opposite and immediately turn right at the top to follow a path - flat at first and then very steeply uphill. These woods are named are a hermitage built by Robert Haldane but never occupied as no-one would agree to living full-time in the hermitage.
The gradient eases and steepens again. Eventually there's a junction - turn off left here onto a path that leads into the gap between two hillocks within the wood. Keep straight on until a high stone wall is reached, then fork left. The path stays close to the wall initially before heading slightly downhill on an often-muddy section before climbing once more, ignoring a path heading downhill to the left.
Soon a viewpoint is reached looking out over the University to the Wallace Monument opposite. The Great Hall of Stirling Castle can also be easily seen, painted cream it stands out on the skyline. Keep on the woodland path which soon drops steeply and swings sharply left, stay on the main path rather than heading for a gap in the wall. Eventually some wooden steps lead down to a tarmac lane, turn left along this for a short distance before turning right through a gap in the wall to regain the University grounds.
Cross the road and head to the left of HH Donnelly House, then right of the more modern Willow Court and left of the Fraser of Allander House, working your way back down to the bridge over the loch; rather than crossing the brudge turn left on the path which continues around the eastern half of the loch. Soon Airthrey Castle can be seen off on the left. Follow the path around the loch until opposite the bridge. Here you you turn left up to the bridge path and head back through the building passing shops and then the cafe, MacRobert arts centre, cinema and Haldanes - a bistro named after Robert Haldane who was responsible for landscaping the area in 1759. Alternatively you can continue by the loch and then left to rejoin the outward cyclepath back to the start.
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