Carron Glen

From the small car park at the western end of Fankerton, a path drops down through the trees to a footbridge over the river. Here the Carron has cut a steep-sided gorge, with native oak and ash climbing the banks and the water running over a series of small falls where bands of harder rock cross its bed. Watch the river for dippers and the blue flash of a kingfisher. In spring the woods fill with bluebells, and the yellow globeflower, rare in central Scotland, blooms by the water. In autumn the whole glen turns to gold and copper. For now the path heading west from the bridge is closed after a landslip, so cross over and turn right to walk the eastern part of the reserve. Bring boots, and keep dogs close.