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Carron Valley Reservoir still and blue under a clear sky, with dark forest along the far shore and Meikle Bin rising behind.
Stirlingshire

Carron Valley Reservoir

A reservoir over three miles long in the hills between Denny and Fintry, with a lochside trail, an osprey hide and five miles of red-grade bike trail.

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Welcome

There's something about a big reservoir in the hills on a still, bright day, and Carron Valley is one of the loveliest.

It lies on the B818 between Denny and Fintry, over three miles of water with forest all round and the peak of Meikle Bin standing over it. Opened in 1939, it still supplies water to around 135,000 people. The Loch Shore Trail follows the water for 4.5 km, with places to stop for a picnic and things for children to play on along the way. Bring binoculars for the hide by the water, the place to look out for ospreys and the ducks and other birds on the reservoir, and keep an eye on the treetops for red squirrels and crossbills. Mountain bikers come for five miles of red-grade trail, and walkers with a map can take on the steep climb up Meikle Bin for a view right across the middle of Scotland. There are toilets and a picnic area, and parking at the main car park at the east end is £4 for the whole day.

A short drive awayFintry InnThe village pub on Main Street in Fintry, with a bar, a restaurant and a beer garden, pub classics, and a music session on Sunday afternoons.8 min by roadSee itThe bar of the Fintry Inn under dark ceiling beams, with painted bar stools along the counter and a lit shelf of whisky bottles in the room beyond.
Before you go

Open at all times, with toilets and a picnic area.

Where
On the B818 between Denny and Fintry; the main car park is at the east end of the reservoir, FK6 5JL.
Parking
£1 for up to an hour, £4 for the day, by coins, card or RingGo. Blue Badge holders park free.
The walk
The Loch Shore Trail, 4.5 km, about an hour and a half, on firm gravel with some loose sections, short steep slopes and a boardwalk.
Bikes
The Loch Shore Trail for a family ride, and five miles of red-grade mountain bike trail.
Meikle Bin
A steep climb with no waymarks, so bring a map. Park at Todholes, at the west end of the reservoir.
Toilets
At the main car park, with an accessible toilet.
Getting there
By car or bike; no buses run to the reservoir.

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Where it is

On the south side of the B818 between Denny and Fintry, about eight miles from Denny; the main car park is at the east end of the reservoir, FK6 5JL.

Close byCarron Valley and the Fintry Hills.
  1. The Endrick Water pouring over mossy rock steps at the top of the Loup of Fintry, with the green valley and hills stretching away beyond.Loup of FintryA waterfall on the Endrick Water by the B818 east of Fintry, where the river leaps about 28 metres down a staircase of rock.3 miles 3 min by road
  2. A tall white flagpole rises from a grass mound encircled by a low stone wall, bare trees lining the path beside it.BannockburnThe field where Robert the Bruce won in 1314, with his bronze statue, the rotunda and a view to Stirling Castle; grounds open daily.9 miles 13 min by road
  3. A curtain of water falling from a rock overhang in Campsie Glen, seen from the hollow behind it, with the wooded glen beyond.Campsie GlenA wooded glen above Clachan of Campsie, where the Kirk Burn comes down from the Campsie Fells in a string of waterfalls.10 miles 12 min by road
  4. The Stirling Smith's columned front in its garden, framed by trees.The Stirling Smith Art Gallery & MuseumStirling's own art gallery and museum, founded by the painter Thomas Stuart Smith and opened in 1874; free, Wednesday to Sunday.11 miles 18 min by road
  5. Stirling CastleStirling CastleThe great royal castle on its crag above Stirling, where Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned, with the Great Hall and the Royal Palace.12 miles 20 min by road
  6. The Falkirk WheelThe Falkirk WheelThe world's only rotating boat lift, lifting boats 35 metres between the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.14 miles 27 min by road
Directions
The bar of the Fintry Inn under dark ceiling beams, with painted bar stools along the counter and a lit shelf of whisky bottles in the room beyond.BarsFintry Inn5.8 miles
A long wooden footbridge on trestles crossing the River Carron, the water running fast over boulders below.WalksCarron Glen6.4 miles
Colzium House from the air in spring, its grey stone front among lawns, conifers and woods at the east end of Kilsyth.AttractionsColzium-Lennox Estate7.2 miles
The bar at the Swan, a silver swan on a slate wall behind the taps, with green velvet stools in front.BarsThe Swan, Banton9.3 miles
The Bite East sign above the restaurant's windows.RestaurantsBite East11 miles
Sandstone building shopfront with "Indian Cottage" signage above large windowsRestaurantsIndian Cottage11 miles
The Book Nook's shopfront on Upper Craigs, with purple doors and window boxes.ShoppingThe Book Nook Stirling11 miles
Bob & Berts' blue sign and glass front on Murray Place, Stirling.CafeBob and Berts11 miles
A shop window beneath a sign reading 'Tinsel & Tartan, Stirling's All-Year Christmas Shop' displays a decorated tree, Santa figure and toy sleigh.ShoppingTinsel and Tartan12 miles

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The Daily for 21 October, from Scotland with love. a small wooded island reflected in a misty loch, autumn forest and hills along the far shore

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