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The ruined drystone walls of Tappoch Broch on its heathery hilltop in the Tor Wood, Scots pines round it and farmland and hills far off under a blue sky.
Stirlingshire

Tappoch Broch

An Iron Age broch on a wooded hilltop in the Tor Wood near Larbert, its walls up to seven metres thick, reached by a waymarked path.

Welcome

On a wooded hilltop in the Tor Wood, between Larbert and Stirling, stands one of the most surprising sights in the Forth valley: an Iron Age broch, a great stone roundhouse with walls up to seven metres thick.

Until 1864 it looked like a grassy mound. The people who cleared it out that year moved more than 200 tons of boulders and rubble to reach the rock floor inside. Today you walk in through its long entrance passage, where you can still see the slot for the bar that held the door shut. Inside, a low doorway leads to a stair climbing through the thickness of the wall. Crouch in that passage to see three little rings carved under one of the stones. The path up from Glen Road in Torwood is signposted and waymarked through the trees, and passes the roofless walls of Torwood Castle, built in 1566. Allow about twenty minutes on foot each way.

A little further outWallace MonumentThe tall Victorian tower on the Abbey Craig above Stirling, with the Wallace Sword inside and a view from the Crown after 246 steps.15 min by roadSee itWallace Monument tower rising above snow-covered trees and hills near Stirling
Before you go

Open at any time, all year.

Where
In the Tor Wood, about a kilometre west of Torwood village, between Larbert and Stirling.
Getting there
Take the track that leaves Glen Road in Torwood heading south-west, then the signposted path off to the right, waymarked up through the trees. Allow about twenty minutes.
Paths
A rough woodland path, uneven and slippery with roots after rain.

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Where it is

On a hilltop in the Tor Wood, about a kilometre west of Torwood village, between Larbert and Stirling.

Close byLarbert, Falkirk and Stirling.
  1. 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.5 miles 9 min by road
  2. 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.5 miles 16 min by road
  3. The PineappleThe PineappleA stone pineapple of 1761 on a garden summerhouse near Airth, called the most bizarre building in Scotland; grounds open daily.7 miles 14 min by road
  4. The KelpiesThe KelpiesAndy Scott's two 30-metre steel horse heads beside the canal at Falkirk, the largest equine sculptures in the world.9 miles 19 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.10 miles 15 min by road
  6. Cambuskenneth AbbeyCambuskenneth AbbeyThe ruined abbey by the Forth below Stirling, with a bell tower of the 1200s and the grave of James III.10 miles 16 min by road
Directions
The roofless front of Plean House, its windows empty and its doorway pillared, behind a wire fence, with benches and a lawn in front.WalksPlean Country Park1.9 miles
AttractionsRosebank Distillery4.3 miles
Fried eggs on smashed avocado toast with tomatoes on a blue plate.RestaurantsThe Fork & Mustard5.1 miles
The Bite East sign above the restaurant's windows.RestaurantsBite East6.4 miles
CafeThe Milk Barn6.5 miles
The Book Nook's shopfront on Upper Craigs, with purple doors and window boxes.ShoppingThe Book Nook Stirling6.5 miles
Sandstone building shopfront with "Indian Cottage" signage above large windowsRestaurantsIndian Cottage6.5 miles
An Inside the Fort information board at Rough Castle, a drawing of the Roman fort above the grass.AttractionsRough Castle Roman Fort6.6 miles
Bob & Berts' blue sign and glass front on Murray Place, Stirling.CafeBob and Berts6.7 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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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the broch, and when each is next free.

A grand stone mansion with multiple gables and chimneys stands behind a lawn set with wicker chairs, seen through overhanging leaves.Cromlix
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  • 14 miles from Tappoch Broch
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  • Sleeps 2
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  • Sleeps 8
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  • 20 miles from Tappoch Broch
Free 22–26 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in StirlingshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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