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Home , Airth, Carronshore, Grangemouth, Mercat cross, Skinflats, South Alloa

Walk, Ride and Cycle in and around Parish

easy to use map and eight suggested locations something for everyone Discover the path networks in and around Airth Parish

Know the code before you go…. Enjoy ’s outdoors responsibly. The Parish of Airth interests and abilities. Some Everyone has the right incorporates the villages of sites have options for further Airth, Dunmore, Letham and exploration or you could to be on most land and inland water providing South set amongst combine several routes to productive agricultural land. broaden your experience. they act responsibly. Your access rights and It wasn’t always like this. Before land reclamation it Finding your way. responsibilities are fully explained in the was an industrial area with A map mining, salt pans and a busy Take a close look at the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. port. The area is steeped in map for each route. This history and records can be should be all you need to Whether you’re in the found dating back to the find the start point and get outdoors or managing medieval village of Airth on your way. OS explorer the outdoors, the key founded by William the Lion 349 map covers most of things are to: circa 1188. the area and explorer OS 58 take responsibility for for . your own actions; As you wander along the respect the interests of paths you will see some Signs other people; and fantastic views, wildlife and splendid architecture which Look out for sign Care for the will give you a glimpse of posts and environment. interpretation what it once looked like and Find out more by it’s all waiting to be boards giving more information along the way. visiting discovered. www.outdooraccess- scotland.com or Which site should I visit? ©Crown Copyright and database right 2011. All rights reserved. contact your local Take a look through the Ordnance Survey Licence number Scottish Natural 100023384. suggested routes and choose For reference purposes only. No further Heritage office. one to suit your needs, copies may be made. Walks Key South 1 Airth village route A Alloa 2 Airth village route B 3 The Airth Banks 6 circular 4 Dunmore Pineapple route A 5 Dunmore Pineapple route B Dunmore 6 South Alloa route 7 Letham Loop G of 8 circular Forth Dunmore Wood Buildings of interest 5 [details on pages 4-7] 4 A B O A Recreation ground 3 C D B Captain’s House, M 1 44 Paul Drive Airth E F C Captain’s Houses N 2 16-18 Shore Road D Crown Hotel L I H E Villa view K J F Mercat G Elphinstone Tower H Rosebank Cottage 7 I Elphinstone Inn Letham J Medieval Church M876 K Airth Castle L Headless Cross M Airth Parish Church N Club’s Tomb M9 O Dunmore Pineapple

Skinflats 8

3 Places of interest to visit

The village of Airth Records show circa 1248 Adam De Erth owned the lands of Erth and Elphinstone, the Erth family is very ancient. Erth means hill and there are two hills in Airth where Airth Castle and Elphinstone Castle stand today. The original village of Airth sat on the hill protected by Airth Castle which at that time would have been a wooden building. Airth was one of the most important villages in the area and King James IV founded a royal dockyard at the mouth of the Pow Burn. The main commercial trade of the area was coal mining and the salt trade. There were several saltpans and many coal pits in the area making the landowners very prosperous and influential. Salmon fishing was also an important commercial concern which survived until the mid 20th century, when pollution is believed to have caused its decline. Thankfully, due to environmental laws, this is reversing and salmon are returning to the river. Buildings and sites vulnerable to attack. The Airth village was designated of interest mighty warship “The Great a Conservation Area by Michael” was fitted out County Council in Recreation ground at Airth dockyard as it was 1974 which was updated in This is the site of the considered the ideal place 2006 and 2010. original harbour before without any threats from land was reclaimed in the the English. The Royal As you walk around Airth 1700’s. However, the royal Forest of was it is still possible to see dockyard of King James IV close by and provided the some houses with coats of lay half a mile to the south timber required. The Royal arms, symbols, initials of at the mouth of the Pow Dockyard was thought to be past owners and dates. Burn. This was felt to be built around 1506 and safer being further ceased being used from upstream, whereas around 1513 when King port was seen as more James IV fell at Flodden. 4 Captain’s House, 44 Paul Drive A two storey building, crow stepped and similar to the houses in Shore Road with five windows along the top and three on the ground floor. Captain’s Houses 16-18 Shore Road Both are Listed Buildings and built in the 1700s. They were known as the Captain’s Houses as they were used by captains and senior merchants at that time. Crown Hotel This dates back to the early 1900s and sits on the corner of Shore Road which was one of the first roads built in the new Airth of the late 17th century and went down to the old harbour. Villa view Once known as “The Market or Blue House”, this was said to be the former council chambers, and dates from 1722. Is one of the oldest structures in the village today, dating from 1697. If you look closely you can see the coat of arms and the initials of the Elphinstone family plus two sundials. The initials C.E. are thought to be Charles Elphinstone who died after a dual with a relative Captain William Bruce of Auchenbowie, and R.B. in memory of his parents Sir Richard Elphinstone and Jane Bruce. It has recently been restored and is an Scheduled Ancient Monument. 5 Places of interest to visit

Elphinstone Inn by the de Erth family and encourage the population A two storey building dating came into the hands of the to move away from the back to the early 19th Bruce family around 1450. castle and into the new or Century. The original river The castle was garrisoned lower town, the Graham shoreline came up to the by the English during the family helped to build a back of the Inn before land Wars of Independence and replacement church at the was reclaimed. Wallace is said to have north end of the present burnt it to the ground. village. The Forrester family Rosebank When the large tower house were the last to live in the was built in1488 it was castle until it was bought Now a private house this called Wallace’s Tower - it and turned into a hotel in was known as “The Penny now forms the west end of 1971. School” so called as it cost the present building. one penny for a child’s Airth Castle is now an education. It was built at Through marriages within award winning 125 bedroom the same time as Airth the local nobility the castle hotel and spa, part of the Parish Church around 1820 passed over to the Aurora Hotel Collection and and is a listed building. Elphinstone family and is a great base to explore Opposite you can see a again through marriage the local countryside. headstone from the original passed over to the Dundas graveyard reused in the family. William Dundas was retaining wall. forced to sell the castle and Medieval Church Judge Graham bought it in The church adjacent to Airth Castle 1717 and it remained in his Airth Castle dates back to The original castle was a family until 1920. Early in the 12th Century and timber construction owned the 19th century, to records reveal that the 6 church was about 80ft long Plans by local architect with three family aisles. William Stirling of Dunblane The Erth, The Elphinstone were put forward in 1806, and The Bruce aisle. but building did not take During the 12th Century place until 1818 and was the wealthy families buried completed two years later. their dead beneath the stone floors of the church. Headless Cross However this practise was Known as the “Headless eventually outlawed. The Cross” since at least the church was used until the late 17th century this present church was built mercat cross once stood in 1820. in the centre of the ‘high toon’ of Airth. It It is a ruin now and it is demonstrated that the not advisable to enter had a right to hold the church or graveyard markets - an important for your own safety. source of wealth. The cube on the top is a worn sundial. Airth Parish Church It was replaced in 1697 by The Graham family, once Airth Parish church and the “new” cross in the ‘low owners of Airth Castle, school to be built of local toon’. It is a Scheduled paid £2,000 for the new quarried yellow sandstone. Anicent Monument. 7 1. Airth Village: Route A

Route A Access Information Route A: Finding your way Bus: 1 The car park was the original For information on site of the harbour before bus times, numbers, land reclamation in the routes call Traveline 1700s. As you leave the 0871 200 2233 car park walk straight down or visit Netherby Road to the Main www.traveline.org.uk Street and turn left. Cross Train: No the road to Airth Parish Church and explore the Parking: Car park graveyard and memorial. Netherby Road. During construction of the A905 in 1817 the skeleton of Distance: a 75ft long whale was 0.7 miles [1.1km] discovered. pedestrianised. In front of Path information: 2 As you approach the local you is the Mercat Cross, on Surfaced pavements shops in the village you will your left is the Elphinstone Facilities: see the Crown Hotel dating Inn, and to your right is Villa There are no public back to the early 19th View or “Blue House”. Century. toilet facilities, but 4 Continue down the High there are shops, 3 When you come to the Street and after a short walk pubs and take away bakers turn right onto the you will return to the Main bakers in Airth. high street which has been Street with the Airth 8 A

H Airth

B G C Key Starting point D E Main path F Other path Parking Zebra Crossing

Agricolae House Buildings of interest [details on pages 4-7] A Recreation ground B Airth Parish Church C Crown Hotel Community Hall on the large thorny tree where corner. Turn left along the King James IV would sit D Mercat Cross Main Street until you come and watch the workers and E Villa View to the zebra crossing. merchants without their F Elphinstone Inn knowledge. 5 Cross the road and head G Captain’s Houses, down Shore Road. The 6 At the end of Shore Road 16 - 18 Shore Road houses 16 - 18 on the east the Captain’s House at 44 H Captain’s House, side of the road are listed Paul Drive is opposite you. 44 Paul Drive buildings built in the 1700’s and known as the 7 Turn left at the end of Captain’s Houses. There is Shore Road and walk along a story that at the end of The Wilderness taking you Shore Road there was a back to the car park. 9 2. Airth Village: Route B

Route B Finding your way on Cemetery Brae. As Access Information START: Car park at top of you walk uphill you will Netherby Road pass the private house Bus: Rosebank. From here the For information on bus 1 As you leave the car park view over the Forth can times, numbers, routes turn left and walk along be spectacular with the call Traveline 0871 200 The Wilderness turning impressive Airth Parish 2233 or visit right onto Shore Road. As Church in the foreground. www.traveline.org.uk you walk down the road 4 At the junction turn Train: No the houses to the left are known as the Captain’s left and head towards Parking: Houses 16 - 18. Shore Airth Castle admiring Car park Netherby Road Road was one of the first the view as you go. roads built in the “new The road will bring Distance: Airth” which took people you out onto Castle View 1.6 miles [2.7km] down to the original a prestigious new housing harbour. development. This was Path information: the original site of Airth Mainly surfaced 2 At the top of Shore Road village protected by the pavements, quiet road and lies the Crown Hotel. At then wooden constructed a small section of muddy this point turn left and Airth Castle. As you track. use the zebra crossing to walk along keep an eye Facilities: reach the pedestrianised out for the Headless There are no public toilet area of the village. Here Cross. Continue walking facilities, but there are you will find the Mercat down Castle View and shops, pubs and take Cross. you will see the very away bakers in Airth. impressive Airth Castle 3 Turn right and head uphill hotel and spa. 10 A Buildings of interest [details on pages 4-7] A Recreation ground B Captain’s House B 44 Paul Drive C Captain’s Houses 16 -18 Shore Road I D D Crown Hotel H E C E Villa View “Blue House” G Airth F F Mercat Cross G Elphinstone Inn H Rosebank I Airth Parish Church Hill of Airth J Headless Cross K Airth Castle L Medieval Church

J

L Airth Castle K

Key Starting point 5 The medieval church can and the Medieval Church be seen from the road ruin and rejoins the route Main path side. near the Main Street. Other path It is a ruin now and it is 7 Retrace your steps back not advisable to enter the to the Main Street where Bench church or graveyard for you turn left and head your own safety. back to the village. Parking 6 Continue down hill until you 8 When get back to the village Bridge come to the main road. The cross at the zebra crossing path to the right takes you and retrace your steps back Zebra Crossing along below Airth Castle to the car park. 11 3. Airth “The Banks” circular

A

B

Airth

Pow Burn Key Starting point Main path Golf Driving Range Other path Access Information Bench Finding your way Bus: For information on bus Parking times, numbers, routes call START: Car park at top of Traveline 0871 200 2233 or Netherby Road Bridge visit www.traveline.org.uk 1 As you leave the car park turn left and walk along Train: No Buildings of interest The Wilderness where [details on pages 4-7] Cycle: On road SUSTRANS you will come to a route 76 nearby crossroads. Turn left and A Captain’s house head towards the River 44 Paul Drive Parking: Car park Netherby Forth estuary. It is an Road easy tarmac road until B Captain’s houses you reach ‘The Banks’. 16 - 18 Shore Road Distance: 2.8 miles [4.5km] Walk up onto the bank, Path information: Surfaced turn right at the sign post Peregrine and Sea Eagle path, quiet road and a long and walk in a South have been seen hunting section of grassy track with Easterly direction. over the estuary. ‘The a kissing gate at either end. 2 As you walk along look Banks’ is 1.3km in length. Facilities: out for the variety of 3 Towards the end you will There are no public toilet wildfowl you will find on come to a large pylon facilities in any of the the estuary as it supports and Kissing Gate near the villages there are however large numbers of Pow Burn, where cattle shops, pubs and a take different species graze so if you have a dog away bakers in Airth. especially in the winter keep it under close months. Raptors such as control. 12 4 Pass through the kissing Main Street look above gate, turn right and walk the doors to see some down the country road interesting initials and which brings you out at dates. a golf driving range and car park. 6 Pass the zebra crossing and turn right down 5 When you get to the Shore Road and then main road turn right and left onto the Wilderness walk back to the village. and retrace your steps As you walk along the back to the car park. 13 The Village of Dunmore

Access Information Bus: The village of Dunmore thought to be due to For information on bus In 1296 John de pollution from industry and times, numbers, routes Elphinstone was the feudal agriculture. Dunmore got its call Traveline 0871 200 landlord of what is now name from John Murray’s 2233 or visit Dunmore estate and the family estates in Perthshire. www.traveline.org.uk family remained in control In the 19th century the Train: No until John Murray widow of the 6th Earl, purchased the estate in Cycle: On road Catherine, Countess of 1754 for £16,000 and Dunmore felt the village SUSTRANS route 76 earned the title 4th Earl nearby looked a miserable place to of Dunmore. live so had the village Parking: The original village of rebuilt, in 1879, in an Car park at Dunmore Dunmore was called English style with the Pineapple Elphinstone Pans which village green in the centre Distance: consisted of three rows of and houses on three sides. 1 miles [1.6 km] cottages which housed the It included a school, workers of the estate who blacksmith and village well. Path information: worked the salt pans then Dunmore pottery was Mainly unsurfaced later the mines. The village paths, muddy track in produced on Dunmore also had at one time a places Estate by the Gardener thriving salmon fishing family from the 18th Facilities: industry until the mid 20th Century where coal and clay None Century when fish numbers were abundant and the decreased dramatically moss from Dunmore was 14 was responsible for the Dunmore you see today. It is a ruin now and it is not advisable to enter the church or graveyard for your own safety.

Dunmore Park Built between 1820 and 1822 and designed by William Wilkins. Dunmore Park was the home of the Murray family. It is a ruin now and it is not advisable to enter the house for your own used for packing. The and gardens fell into safety. pottery produced bricks and disrepair. The Countess The house was occupied tiles for building repairs and of gifted the estate by the family until 1911 domestic pots for local use. to The National Trust for and remained the private It wasn’t until the third Scotland who restored it home of the Jones family, generation of The Gardner to what you see today. The co owners of Jones & family did Dunmore Pottery buildings can now be rented Campbell. For a brief become world famous. out as a holiday home. period between 1961 and There are exhibits of 1964 it served as a girl’s Dunmore pottery in The buildings are set school. Substantial sections Callendar House Museum, amongst mature woodlands of the mansion have been . which support a diverse demolished but you can range of wildlife, none more still the grandeur it once In 1971 the village was important than the pond had. There are plans for designated a Conservation which is home to Great the house to be turned Area and contains many fine Crested Newts. into luxury flats which may listed buildings. help to retain what is left Elphinstone Tower of this beautiful building. Dunmore Pineapple Built around 1510 The stables have fared The Dunmore Pineapple Elphinstone Tower was better and are still used was built around 1777 by the family home of the for agricultural purposes. the 4th earl of Dunmore as Elphinstones until it and a birthday present for his the estates were bought wife. It is not known why he over by the Murray family chose a pineapple but it was in 1754. Elphinstone Tower seen as an exotic fruit and lay empty until the barrel highly prized delicacy. They vaulted lower room was became symbols of power, converted into a family wealth and hospitality. mausoleum around 1836. Just beyond the tower lies The stone vases along the the footprint where the top of the wall conceal the family church was situated, chimneys for the heating built around 1845 and system within the wall demolished in the 1950’s which allowed exotic as it was reported to be specimens including in a dangerous state. In pineapples to grow within the graveyard lies the the green houses. gravestone of the 6th Earl By the 1970’s the buildings of Dunmore whose wife 15 4. Dunmore Pineapple

Access Information Key Bus: For further information on bus times, numbers, Finding your way Starting point routes, etc call Traveline on START: At the Dunmore Main path 0871 200 2233 or visit Pineapple car park. www.traveline.org.uk 1 From the car park Other path Train: No. enter the walled garden through the large gates. Parking: small car park Parking available at Dunmore 2 As you pass the orchard Pineapple. See map. uphill towards the Dunmore Pineapple you 6 Continue to follow the Distance: can admire the sheer sign posted track across 1.5 miles [2.3km] brilliance of the the fields until you come to the road. Path information: Grassy structure and its leading to wide woodland ingenious design. 7 Turn left and follow the track very muddy in places, 3 Continue past the road back to the car several steps leading from Pineapple and exit park. the walled garden area into up some steps and 8 When you return to the woodland. through a small doorway the car park you can Facilities: None. in the wall. take a short walk to the pond where the Great Dunmore Pineapple is 4 Follow the path down to owned and managed by The the left through the Crested Newts breed by following a narrow path National Trust for Scotland. woodland until you reach Tel: 0844 493 2100 or visit a wider forest track. around to the left of the walled garden and along www.nts.org.uk 5 At the junction turn the woodland. Retrace left and continue along your steps back to the the track. car park. 16 17 5. Dunmore loop

3 Turn right and follow the path downhill until you come to the next sign post where you turn right and pass in-between two sections of wooden fencing taking you through mature woodland. This section is muddy in places. Follow the path through the woodland until you come out to an avenue of impressive large Giant Redwood trees. 4. Take the track on the left which leads off uphill on a detour from this path to see Elphinstone Tower. It is a ruin now and it is not advisable to enter the tower for your own safety. 5 Retrace your steps and continue along the farm track until you come to a T junction. Turn right and walk along the avenue of much smaller trees Access Information towards Dunmore village. Bus: 6 Cross the main road For information on bus and continue into the times, numbers, routes Conserative Area of call Traveline 0871 200 Dunmore village. The 2233 or visit house immediately to your right was the www.traveline.org.uk Finding your way schoolhouse built in Train: No START: Car park at Dunmore 1875. There is no Cycle: On road Pineapple pavement going into SUSTRANS route 76 1 As you leave the car park the village. nearby. walk alongside the walled garden heading 7 As you come into the Parking: Car park at north passing the large centre of the village you pineapple entrance gates. will see the Village Well which was brought from Distance: 2 When you come to an 2.8 miles [4.5 km] by Catherine the opening in the wall follow Countess of Dunmore. It Path information: the sign post through has now been restored to Mainly unsurfaced another enclosed walled its former glory. paths, muddy and area towards large red grass tracks in places doors in the wall opening. 8 At the northern end of the Continue through the village and behind the Facilities: gate and onto a red ash bowling hut the original None. track. pier still exists. To your 18 Key Starting point Main path Other path Parking

Buildings of interest [details on pages 4-7] A Elphinstone Tower Dunmore D B Old schoolhouse C C Village Well B D The Smiddy E E Dunmore Park

continues to the left passing Dunmore Home Farm. Continue along A the tarmac road until you come to the main road. 12 Cross the road and continue along the track opposite with its avenue of trees. When you come to the junction turn left. 13 Alternatively you can take a slight detour right is the unusual open field and the birds and continue along the horse shoe doorway of a would be flushed out track to see Dunmore private house which was of the trees and shot. Park. Retrace your steps once the blacksmith To your right and across back to the junction and known as “The Smiddy”. the water you can see turn right and follow the Clackmannan Church track to the T junction. 9 At the bowling hut and Tower. Continue on the track turn left and follow taking you back to the the track round to the 11 Keep on the track as it car park. right continuing past Pyetree Cottages. This is a very flat hard surface taking you to Dunmore Home Farm. 10 If you look to the left you can see stands of mature woodland.They are known as roundels which were used during the shooting season. Visitors to the farm would stand out in the 19 The village of South Alloa

Access Information Bus: For information on bus times, numbers, routes call Traveline 0871 200 2233 or visit www.traveline.org.uk Train: No Cycle: On road SUSTRANS route 76 South Alloa or Kersie is Lord David nearby situated on the Northern Elcho who was a Jacobite boundary of Airth Parish leader and residing in Parking: Car park and also has a long history. Kersie Mains. The troops Netherby Road Airth Records date as far back as took a smaller boat ashore Distance: 1145 when King David of to surprise him but he had 3.6 miles [5.8 km] Cambuskenneth Abbey was fled several hours before given the lands of Kersie as they arrived. Path information: part of a gift. At that time Surfaced pavements, the land was farmed by The troops returned to long section of grass tenant farmers. their boat empty handed bank muddy in places. only to get stuck in the It is recommended to According to records in mud banks. As one return to Airth from 1608 James Abercrombie member of crew sounded South Alloa by bus as was listed as the laird of an alarm the Jacobites there are no pavements Carsye until it was heard and responded with on the A905 between purchased by Hendry muskets. The troops had to South Alloa and Elphinstone of Calderhill in free their boat and row Dunmore. Journey by 1645 this included the back to the awaiting ship bus is an additional lairds house Kersie Mains. and return to Leith. 2.4 miles [4km]. Today Kersie Mains, a listed building, is still in use as The village sits on what Facilities: a farm. was a railway spur opened There are no public in 1850 which connected to toilet facilities in any In the lead up to the the ferry crossing over the of the villages there Battle of Falkirk in 1746 Forth to Alloa. Drovers are however shops, government troops were used the ferry to bring their pubs and a take away sent from Leith docks to cattle to the Tryst market. bakers in Airth. capture and return to

20 21 6. South Alloa

Finding your way three kissing gates built converting it START: Netherby Road situated as various points into a 77 acre rich car park, Airth along this route. arable land. In 1806 a farmhouse and steadings 1 As you leave the car park 5 From the path you can were built and the walk down Netherby road see Clackmannan Church island was continuously to the Main Road and turn and Tower with great farmed for 170 years. right follow the pavement views of the Ochil Hills. In 1983 a breach in the passing the sign post for There is also lots of embankment occurred Airth Pineapple until you wildlife associated with and led to the come to the village of the estuary and abandonment of the farm. Dunmore. surrounding farmland in In 1996 Scottish Wildlife particular wildfowl. 2 Turn right into the village Trust purchased the and walk through the village. There is no pavement in the village and please respect the privacy of the villagers. Walk past the village green then turn left just before the bowling hut down a rough track. 6 Eventually you reach island and now manage 3 At the sub station turn South Alloa via a kissing it as a salt marsh reserve right at the wooden sign gate. When you reach and it is designated a post which will take you the road turn right and Site of Special Scientific round the back of Pyetree diagonally opposite Interest (SSSI). Cottages. Crossing a is another kissing gate wooden bridge will bring which continues along 8 When you come to a you out onto a farmland the coastline. From this kissing gate to your left edge. (Take care to avoid path there are great head out onto the road, damage of crops) views of Stirling Castle continue along the and Wallace Monument. pavement to the end of 4 From here you follow the the village. When you . There are 7 The island you also see is come to the main road sign posts along the . At one time it turn left and you will see route and one small was a 42.5 acre grazing the bus stop where the section of steps. The sea salt marsh until a one bus will take you back to wall section is rough mile long embankment Airth village. underfoot. There are encircling the island was 22 Alloa Key Starting point Main path D Parking

South Buildings of interest Alloa [details on pages 4-7] A Old Schoolhouse E B Village Well Bus Stop Firth of C Smiddy Forth D Alloa Inch Island E Kersie Mains Farm

Dunmore C B A

Airth

23 7. Letham Cycle Loop

Access Information Bus: For information on bus times, numbers, routes call Traveline 0871 200 2233 or visit the early 20th Century. Take care as this is a www.traveline.org.uk working farm. Keep to Club’s tomb Train: No the track and follow the It is said that Club’s tomb wooden sign posts along Cycle: On road was built by a local farmer a stone track. SUSTRANS route 76 James Club of Westfield nearby Airth who wanted to be 4 The track curves buried alongside his dog in alongside a strip of Parking: this mausoleum. He died in woodland and when you Car park Letham 1757, but there is no record come to a junction turn cottages to say he was buried there. right which will take you Distance: This is a listed building. to Moss Road. 5.5 miles [8.6 km] 5 When you reach Moss Path information: Finding your way Road turn right and head Surfaced pavements, along the country road START: Car park situated on towards North Doll. Take road side and field the North West corner of edges. care as this road is quite Letham Cottages. a fast road for cars with Facilities: None. 1 Leave the car park and no footpath. Follow the follow the metal sign to road for approximately Letham terraces. When 400m until you come to The village of Letham you reach the end of the the crossroads turn right Letham has played its part path turn left and follow signposted Airth. Follow in the history and the pavement alongside this flat country road development of the parish. the houses. watch out for Club’s The layout of the village Tomb which is situated today is set out as two parts 2 When you reach the end close to the field edge on Letham Terrace and Letham of the row take the road the right hand side just Cottages. The cottages are to the right which is sign beyond the small bridge. set out in three rows posted to Moss Road. In the summer months it encompassing a green 3 Continue along the can be difficult to spot space in the middle and country road until you with the vegetation that were homes for miners in come to Linkfield Farm. grows on the roof of the 24 B

A Airth C D E

Key

Letham Terr Starting point Main path

Letham Cottages Other path the old Airth Village. Parking Continue along Castle View towards Airth Bridge tomb. Continue along the Castle. road until you come out 12 Approximately half way Buildings of interest onto the A905 which along this road on the [details on pages 4-7] passes through Airth. right hand side is the 6 Turn right then right original Mercat Cross, A Club’s Tomb known as the Headless again at the old weigh B Airth Parish Church bridge. This will take you Cross. Follow the road uphill with some amazing down past Airth Castle C Headless Cross views of the Firth of and the ruin of the D Airth Castle Forth as you go. At the Medival Church and just E Medieval Church top of the hill to your left before the main entrance from the A905 turn right. you can see the Airth the Pow Burn is called Parish Church. Continue Follow the whin path along the bottom of Airth Abbeytown Bridge. It your walk on along the was the original link top of the hill. Castle. From here you will be able to see the between Falkirk and 10 The track is a concreted original structure, later Airth until 1723. driveway to Agricolae additions and parts of the 15 Follow the road to the House. From this point old church. the track becomes end and turn right at the muddy and pot holed. 13 Follow this community junction walking towards woodland path to the Letham Terraces. Just 11 You will pass the very end and this will before the first house Game Keepers Cottage bring you on to a private on your left is the path and come out into a road where you turn left. which will take you back prestigious estate on to the car park at Letham the original site of 14 The bridge crossing Cottages. 25 8. Skinflats circular

Access Information Bus: For information on The village of Skinflats the saline lagoons. There bus times, numbers, lies on the A905 and is are two areas of lagoons in routes call Traveline situated in the original the Falkirk area; Skinflats 0871 200 2233 or visit parish of Bothkennar whose and Kinneil Kerse. www.traveline.org.uk boundary lay between the River Carron to the South The River Carron was Train: No and Pow Burn to the North. canalised 1767 - 1770 to allow boats to reach Cycle: on road The original village built between 1817 - 1861 Quarrel shore, now SUSTRANS route 76 . nearby consisted of two rows of miner’s cottages, two The lagoons at Skinflats Parking: Limited car pubs, a smiddy and school are associated with parking on Newton Road. which was situated at the meanders of the River (Keep access clear at all Northern end of the village Carron and have been times.) where the existing school vulnerable to change is today. Distance: through human activity. 3.6 miles [5.8 km] A prominent family of that time were the Bruce of Path information: Newton who were related The first and last section to the Bruce family of Airth. is tarmac road with Bothkennar Church woodland and farm displays a stone showing a vehicle tracks which can date 1654, initials WB be muddy in sections. (William Bruce) and Bruce Facilities: None. of Newton arms. Skinflats foreshore has some of the rarest habitats in the UK namely that of 26 Skinflats National Cycle Network Route 76 Mudflats Lagoons

Grangemouth

Key Starting point The saline lagoons are runs adjacent to the Main path one of the rarest habitats River Carron. in the UK and support a Other path large range of specialist 2 When you approach plants, invertebrates and the conifer woodland, Parking animals which are able to turn left and follow the cope with fluctuations of sign along the woodland crossing an open area salinity and changing water edge. Alternatively you levels. The margins also can continue along the of grazing for cattle. You can still see the support songbirds during road which will bring you the winter months, and the out near the mud flats, a parallel tracks made by the mineral railway. lagoons provide a valuable very rich feeding area for roosting site for wildfowl resident and wintering 5 Continue along the at high tide when they wildfowl. track between hawthorn are unable to feed on the hedges and exit through neighbouring rich mudflats. 3 Re trace your steps back to the woodland and the kissing gate where you then turn left. For these reasons Skinflats pass through the kissing Foreshore is protected gate. As you walk along 6 Continue along the farm by the Firth of Forth Site the pine woodland edge track. From the track and of Special Scientific look out for the brackish to your left look out for a Interest (SSSI) and Firth ponds on your right. The small orchard of apples of Forth Special Protected pine woodland has been and pears. Area (SPA). planted on top of the slag heaps from the area’s 7 At the end of the Finding your way mining past. track you will come to START: at small lay-by a field gate. Turn left barrier on Newton Road. 4 At the end of the and continue long the 1 Pass by the road barrier woodland continue roadside until you return and follow the road which through the kissing gate to the start. 27 Walk, Ride and Cycle in and around Airth Parish

Getting There Access the Green Travel map at www.falkirk.gov.uk or call 01324 504950. By Foot: If you live nearby. By Cycle: Sustrans National Cycle Network route 76 passes nearby. Cycle route information available from www.sustrans.org.uk or call 0845 113 0065. By Rail: There are no direct rail links to Airth. Nearest train stations are at , , Falkirk or Stirling. By Bus: For further information on bus times, numbers, routes etc, call the Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit www.traveline.org.uk. By Car: Airth is in the heart of Central Scotland, to the North of Falkirk and South East of Stirling. It is well connected to both local A roads and the nearby motorways M876 and M9.

Suggested Walks Walking is easy. You don’t need any special equipment

2010 and what ever your age or level of fitness your health will benefit from this natural, gentle form of exercise. So get your boots on and explore the countryside around Council.

Airth Parish at your own pace. Falkirk Many of the paths in this guide can be linked up to give Services, a range of circular walks of varying length. It’s simply up to you to choose the routes that suit you. There is as much variety of surface conditions underfoot as there is scenery. Neighbourhood Thank you to all organisations, landowners and local communities for their cooperation and support. Special and thanks to Robert Smith of Airth Community Council for his help and assistance. Corporate Unit, This booklet has been produced by Falkirk Council. For further information please contact Falkirk Council’s

Outdoor Access Team Tel.01324 504950. Council Falkirk Communications by by

A NE FOR A' Some photos were donated by Gerry McGleave and Fiona Wishart. Produced Designed