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and tartan. The setting, beneath the fine woods of Crags and by the rushing waters of the , remains as beautiful as ever. Whilst the famous are close at hand, the landscape takes on a wilder character to the north as Loch Lubnaig extends along the steep-sided glen to the Easily reached from the cities of the central forest village of . This is the belt, Callander is a true gateway to the gateway to the Braes of Balquhidder, the Highlands. The first of the Bens, , true heart of Rob Roy country and still a overlooks the town, guarding the route remote and lonely cul-de-sac of a glen set north and bringing an abrupt end to the beneath the region’s highest mountains. fields and farmland. The publication of Northwards from Strathyre is The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott began , set on the loch of the same the influx of visitors to the area, and today name and popular with watersports the stone streets are packed with teashops enthusiasts and fishermen. 6 Ben Ledi from across Loch Venachar Callander and Strathyre 1 Bracklinn Falls 8 6 Stank Glen 18 Set off from Callander on a superb Don’t be fooled by the name, this route walk with something for all the family through a hanging valley comes up smelling of pines and waterfalls 2 Callander Crags 10 Survey the surrounding landscape 7 Beinn an t-Sidhein over Strathyre 20 from a prominent viewpoint above Disturb the fairies at your peril on this Highland gateway town a climb to their mythical home

3 Loch Venachar and 8 Kirkton Glen and Balquhidder 22 the hidden lochan 12 Climb to a clan cairn and explore a Venture into Queen Victoria’s old forested glen deep in Rob Roy country stomping ground in the very heart of the Trossachs 9 Glen Ogle Trail 24 Build up your own head of steam 4 Bochastle and the Falls of Leny 14 along this classic disused railway line Seek out the spectacular Falls of Leny, where a massive boulder splits the surging white water in two

5 Ben Ledi 16 Take up the challenge to climb the iconic peak that beckons the traveller onward from Callander

7 1 CALLANDER AND STRATHYRE

Bracklinn Falls Distance 5.5km Time 2 hours eventually reach the car park on the right. Terrain paths with steps, stony tracks and From here, the walk follows the level path gated minor road Map OS Landranger 57 signed for Bracklinn Falls, passing through Access regular buses from and the woods and then an area of open Aberfoyle to Callander ground; ignore the track dropping downhill to the right. Descend some steps to reach A circular walk taking in Bracklinn Falls, the falls set in a deep ravine a short a popular attraction since Victorian times. distance further on. The route then follows a forestry track The striking wooden bridge replaces a upstream before crossing the Keltie Water much earlier cast iron one erected for a visit with views to the remote lands north by Queen Victoria in around 1870. It was of Callander before returning along a swept away by a great flood in 2004 which minor road enjoying sweeping views destroyed eight bridges locally and towards Stirling. inundated houses and shops down in the The car park for Bracklinn Falls is just to town. The new bridge, constructed from the north of Callander: if walking from the four douglas fir trunks and copper and town centre, head along the main street weighing 20 tonnes, had to be winched into towards Stirling and, after the Co-op, take position in 2010 because the difficult site is Bracklinn Road on the left. Follow the signs inaccessible for cranes and helicopters. as the road leads uphill out of town to Bracklinn is a common name deriving 8 BRACKLINN FALLS

Bracklinn Falls in full flow from the Gaelic words Bhreac, meaning ‘speckled’ or ‘tawny’ (the water is tinged by peat), and Linn which means ‘pool’ or ‘waterfall’. The Keltie Water has created the gorge over many hundreds of years, the flow of the water eroding a band of soft puddingstone which lies in a fault at this point and wears away faster than the surrounding rock. Puddingstone is a conglomerate rock made up of many pieces of pebbles and rock held together by quartz sand. The resemblance to the fruit in pudding gives the stone its name. Cross the bridge and bear left on the path which soon heads into thick pine forest and later climbs fairly steeply through the trees. At a track keep straight ahead and follow this to head north chilly waters and this spot can get popular following the Keltie Water (now far below) on hot summer days. When you reach the upstream. Eventually more open ground is water cross the bridge and go through the reached and there are views to the remote gate to head uphill to the road. glen of the Keltie Water and the peak of Turn left along this minor road (gated to Stuc a'Chroin beyond. Here you get a real keep the local livestock in their place) to sense of being on the boundary between return towards Callander. Now looking the Highlands and Lowlands. south you get a good view across the flat As the track descends, another waterfall plain towards Doune and Stirling. The road and the deep, still water of Scouts Pool can heads downhill and soon after the next be seen down to the left. Nowadays it’s not gate turn left to reach the Bracklinn Falls just those on Scout camp who brave the car park at the start. 9