Discover the paths in and around Bonnybridge Easy to use map and six suggested Bonnybridge trails. Something for everyone. Includes part of the John Muir Way. Discover the paths in and around Bonnybridge DENNY Chacefield G Wood M876 HEAD of ad Ro Bonny Water MUIR rt be Denny ar L 3 Road A80 oad irk R 6 Falk 2 4 Forth & Clyde Can BONNYBRIDGE 3 B E Ba R n Joh Glasgow BONNYFIELD F o ks ad id Mu Road Whisky 1 e A Warehouse Broomhill D Road B816 HIGH 5 BONNYBRIDGE Bonny Water Seabegs Wood Bonnyhill Road C B816 Greenhill A Short History of Bonnybridge Paths in and around Bonnybridge Bonnybridge is a small Bonnybridge was the 1 town which lies to the north establishment of several iron Bonnyfield Local of the Forth and Clyde Canal foundries including the Nature Reserve in the district of Falkirk. It is famous Smith and Wellstood 2 The Bonny Water situated on the Bonny Water, Foundry (The Columbian riverbank a tributary of the River Carron Stoneworks), which produced 3 Pend to Roughcastle which runs through the town. American metal heating Roman Fort and stoves for Europe under the The Antonine Wall A settlement has existed “Esse stoves” brand. Famous near the river crossing for clients include Florence 4 Forth & Clyde canal several centuries and the Nightingale, Ernest to The Falkirk Wheel current town was originally Shackleton and Captain Scott, 5 The Doctor’s Pend, developed in the 19th century the Antarctic explorers. The Antonine Wall in association with a new and Seabegs Wood paper mill, sawmill and iron Bonnybridge also has two foundries. well preserved sections of 6 Drove Loan to the Antonine Wall, a UNESCO Chacefield Wood Particularly important for World Heritage Site; the Interesting facts about Bonnybridge remnants of Roughcastle William the Conqueror‘s Roman Fort - the most full name was William De complete of the surviving Rollo and Mr John Rollo Roman forts of the Wall, who owned the small and Seabegs Wood. engineering works in High Bonnybridge is believed to The town is also infamous be a direct descendant. for being the UFO capital of Scotland being in It is alleged that Burke and the “Falkirk Triangle” with Hare used the canal to over 300 UFO sightings a transport bodies from the year! Doctor‘s wood to nal Edinburgh. The Doctor’s wood is named after Finding your way Charles Grindlay, a local who was expelled from hn Falkirk Wheel Take a close look at the map Glasgow medical school ir Way for each route. This should because of his dubious be all you need to find the connections with Burke and start point and get you on Hare, the notorious your way. OS Explorer map murderers and 349 covers the area. bodysnatchers. John Signs Bonnybridge is also famous Muir Look out for sign posts and for harbouring the Stone of Way interpretation boards giving Destiny after it was stolen more information along the from Westminister Abbey in way. 1950 by Scottish Nationalists. For some time after the event the Stone Places of Interest It’s up to you! This leaflet gives you was hidden in the offices of Rollo Lathes in A The Antonine Wall, details of six locations with information on green Bonnybridge by the founder Roughcastle Roman John M. Rollo. It was Fort transport options, path surfaces, gradients, parking returned to Westminster B The Radical Pend and facilities. Just choose a Abbey in 1951 before finally C route that suits your interest returning to Scotland for Seabegs Wood, good in 1996 where it is The Antonine Wall and ability and enjoy the paths in and around now kept at Edinburgh D Seabegs Pend Bonnybridge. Castle along with the (The Doctor’s Pend) Scottish Crown Jewels. E Bonnyfield Local In addition there are plenty Nature Reserve of other interesting things to F see and do in and around Which site should I visit? The Canal Bridge Bonnybridge. Take a wander Simply read through the G Chacefield Wood Cup along some of the local following suggested routes and Ring Marks paths or follow the John and choose one that suits Muir Way and you will find your own interests, needs Key Buildings some great countryside, and abilities. Some sites wildlife, fantastic views and have options for further Community Centre a wealth of history waiting exploration and the paths to be discovered. lead on to other areas in Library Falkirk. Places of interest to visit A The Antonine Wall and Roughcastle Roman Fort This is the best preserved section of the Wall which separated Roman occupied Britain from the tribally controlled north. The remains of a fort and two signalling platforms can also be seen here. B The Radical Pend Named to commemorate the Battle of Bonnymuir. On 5 April 1820 a group of striking weavers were intercepted on the way to the Carron Ironworks. The group had C Seabegs Wood and been infiltrated by government agents. The Antonine Wall A well preserved section of the Roman The men, who were protesting about wall and ditch that once divided the the right to vote, were ambushed by an tribal north from the Roman south, can armed force outside the village of be seen here. The 'Military Way', the Bonnybridge. In the ensuing struggle, road that linked the forts along the at least four of the weavers, a police wall can also be seen. lieutenant and sergeant were badly wounded. Three of the rebel leaders - Andrew Hardie, James Wilson and John Baird were arrested and later executed. D Seabegs Pend (The Doctor’s Pend) The Doctor’s Pend is so called after Dr Grindlay, a farmer and grain merchant who had premises at Barley Hill in the early 1800’s. The story goes that Dr Grindlay was not in fact a doctor because he did not complete his medical course at Glasgow University. This supposedly arose from an unsavoury incident connected with the body snatchers Burke and Hare. Places of interest to visit E Bonnyfield Local Nature Reserve Bonnyfield Nature Reserve is situated on the former Bonnyfield sand and gravel quarry. It was Falkirk’s 1st Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and was officially opened in November 2008. It is approximately 28.7 hectares in size and offers natural habitat to a wide range of wildlife and plants. The site is mainly grassland, meadow and small woodland areas which include ash, aspen, sycamore and alder trees. There are several ponds in the reserve which attract a wide range of wildlife. One of the most important and unusual inhabitants is the brightly coloured red and black spotted Burnet Moth. Bonnyfield was recently awarded Coronation Meadow status from HRH the Prince of Wales to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the coronation. www.coronationmeadows.org.uk F The Canal Bridge The first bridge to be built was a lifting 'bascule bridge' in the year 1900. It replaced the Pend as a way across the G Chacefield Wood Cup canal. The bridge tilted up on both sides and Ring Marks to let boats through. The term "cup and ring carving" The modern bridge - built as part of the describes a range of rock carved Millennium Canal development (exactly symbols that are found mainly in 100 years later) is also a 'lifting bridge' northern Europe, although similar - but this time the section of roadway carvings occur in other countries across the canal lifts vertically to allow around the world. boats to pass through. In Britain the carvings are estimated to be around 4000 - 5000 years old which dates them to the Neolithic and Bronze ages. The purpose and meaning of the symbols is unclear. Many of the rock carvings are sited near or on cairns and burial mounds, linking the symbols with death, ancestors and an afterlife. 1. Bonnyfield Local Nature Reserve: A choice of 2 circular walks Bonnybridge High Street Road Bonnyvale Community Place Centre North Playing Entrance fields Emma’s Library Way Ponds ath gs igh P e H ab Bonnyfield Local e d S oa 1 Mural R 6 Nature Reserve h 8 Bonded at B Pond P Warehouses w o y L n Icon Key on B e r Starting Point h e T at W Path A l a Path B n a C e Other Path d ly C Bench d n a h Parking rt Fo Dog Fouling Bin Finding your way 2 Once in the LNR take the area with several shallow low path which runs ponds and a large sloping 1 Start your walk behind alongside the Bonny grassland meadow. Look Bonnybridge Community Water. out for the colourful red Centre. Cross the small and black Burnet Moth footbridge behind the 3 The low path firstly and dragonflies in this sports pitch over the passes through a marshy area. Bonny Water and into Duncan Stewart Park, 4 Continuing along this known locally as Jenny’s path you will see a large Park. Head left towards pond on your right. There the playing fields and you is a bench here to sit and will see the entrance to h enjoy the peace and quiet. t Bonnyfield Local Nature o M 5 When you come to the Reserve (LNR) on the t other side of the fenced e junction with a wide n r tarmac path you can football ground. u B Access Information Bus : For further information on bus times, numbers, routes, etc, call Traveline on 08712002233 or visit www.travelinescotland. com Train : None, nearest train station Falkirk Grahamston. Cycle : Sustrans Route 754. Parking : There is limited or no parking at the access points to the LNR as they are in private housing.