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GARTMORN DAM SAUCHIE near "STIRLING"

**Directions To Get Here**

From Glasgow take the M80
From Edinburgh take the M9
From the North take the A9
To Stirling

head out the A91 hillfoots to Tilicoultry
turn onto the A908 pass Sterling Mills
continue for 3 miles turn left at the sign
in Sauchie go on over the speed bumps to
the entrance,park at the visitor centre

**THE WALK**

distance 3.5 miles
waymarkers RED

There are many tracks to explore here however we are concentrating on the path
round the dam and describing it in a clockwise direction

leaving the visitor centre walk back down the road a few metres turn right into
the main car park go past the cars and join the path,follow this until you come

to the jetty where the boats are moored,if you are interested in fishing the
dam has wild brown trout,perch and pike,farmed trout are also added

as you walk on you will see a path going off to the left this goes to
Gartmorn Hill Woodland you can explore here later,continue straight on
you will see signs about nesting birds

there is water on both sides of the path at this point and a high
wooden fence on the left usually there are Swans,Mallard Ducks
and Couts to be seen in here

past here on the right is a wooden bird hide,the key is available at the
visitor centre and you can spend many a happy hour in here with

binoculars watching the many wildfowl that stop here to feed and rest
and nest on the island in the centre of the dam

walk on enjoy the flora & fauna to be found here,many different trees
bushes,wildflowers,mushrooms you will soon come to the derelect mine
workings of the Sheriffyards Colliery which operated 1800-1921

you will soon arrive at a T junction turn right here
(you can go left at another time)

in this area there is plenty of raspberry and bramble bushes,ideal
for a quick snack,as you walk on enjoy the views over the dam

you will pass by the side of a farm on this stretch there are
various paths on the left, there is also a path going up to a viewpoint

continue following the red signs until you see a sign for the picnic area
turn left and stop at the tables for a well earned rest
this area is called the lade

retrace your steps onto the main path which continues through
the community woodland many paths criss cross here
this is where we saw lots of fluorescent Damselflies

there are a couple of raised areas with steps up to seats where
you can enjoy views accross the dam to the ochil hills

you will eventually arrive at another picnic area and a sunken garden
the path turns right and you walk along the top of the dam there are seats
here where you can enjoy uninterupted views over the dam

the visitor centre is just at the far end of the dam where you can enjoy
a refreshing drink before heading home
 

Disabled & Less Adgile Ramblers

Most areas here are suitable for all,the paths are well maintained
depending on the weather there maybe a few muddy patches