This walk is in the picturesque Glen Devon which is situated north east of Dollar.
The area has diverse habitats and features and includes grassy hills, woodlands, reservoirs and rivers. It is wild, remote and beautiful and there is the possibility of seeing ospreys, grouse and red squirrels as well as magnificent views. Perfect for a 8-mile July walk!
Castlehill Reservoir, at the south end of the glen, provides the water supply for Fife. There are other reservoirs including two, which were man-made, and known locally as the Frandy Reservoirs. These were built to supply Dunfermline and Rosyth and constructed in the First World War by German prisoners.
Starting Point:
The starting point is at OS Reference NN 996 032 which is the parking area adjacent to Castlehill Reservoir.
Dollar FK14, UK
Getting there: 43 miles/55 minutes
To get there, take your favourite route to the M8 towards Edinburgh. Take exit 13 to merge onto M80 towards Stirling and Kincardine Bridge. After 15 miles take exit 8 to M876 Kincardine Bridge. Continue on A876/M9/A876 . At the Higgins Neuk Roundabout take SECOND exit towards Perth and M90. At the Kilbagie Roundabout take the FIRST exit onto A977. At the Gartferry Roundabout take THIRD exit to continue on A977. After 8.5 miles turn left onto A823 (Crieff); stay on A823 and turn right briefly onto A91 and keep left for 210 yards leaving the A91 and back onto A823 (Glendevon). After 1.4 miles you will see signs for parking on the right, beside Castlehill Reservoir.
The Walk: Glen Devon – 8.0 miles
The start of the route is directly opposite the lay-by and follows a metalled road to Glenquey Reservoir. Turn right before the house and the reservoir. Continue to follow the path veering to the left to pass the Fish ladder and to follow an old drove road which drovers used to take their livestock to market in Falkirk. It is also a Right of Way (RoW) that goes from Glendevon to Dollar. This path follows the reservoir and continues on beyond. The path is clear and at the time of the reccé was dry but can be wet and muddy.
Our route turns off the RoW at the end of the forest on the left, and below can be seen Castle Campbell and Dollar. At this point, folk who don’t want to continue can return by the same route to make a 6 mile walk. Otherwise turn left and begin to climb up a short hill at the end of which is a seat and a few tree stumps that make this a decent lunch stop, with a view.
After getting your breath back, take the right hand route and curve round Hillfoot Hill, descending a little then ascending slowly. As the route climbs, there is a panorama of the Forth Valley from the bridges at Kincardine eastwards. When the forest is re-entered, look out for a path going right from the forestry track with a metal gate at the end. This brings the route out into the open hills. Take this path off to the right (instead of continuing on the track) and it brings you out onto a fine grassy path on Commonedge Hill, with Seamab Hill in the distance. This is a lovely section on a clear day; but watch out for the deer! Head towards the large stile over the deer fence and quickly ascend Seamab Hill. Head down a clear path from the hill towards a Y-junction and take the left hand path to bring you down to the Reservoirs Trail. Follow this back to the starting point.