A day out: Bridge of Allan

The weir over the Allan Water at the entrance to Bridge of Allan

The bridge and weir over the Allan Water at the entrance to Bridge of Allan

In a previous blog we talked about how, with holidays, less is more. Sometimes, to get to the heart of a place, it’s better to immerse yourself in just one corner of it at a slower pace, than try to rattle through all the recommended tourist attractions with a checklist. So this week, we are looking at another beautiful little bit of Stirlingshire, Bridge of Allan.

Bridge of Allan lies just three miles from the heart of Stirling. It is home to two of Stirling Self Catering’s properties – Haverstock and Allanvale apartment, and has a unique charm all of its own. Its main street is peppered with small, independent shops that you will find nowhere else, and there are some great places to eat too, whether you want fine dining or fish and chips. You can drive there from central Stirling, or better still, catch the frequent train from Stirling city centre for just one stop.

History: Bridge of Allan was first recorded in a written charter in the reign of David 1, which makes it some 900 years old. In the 1500s, a steep hog-backed bridge was built over the Allan Water to replace the old ford, which prompted the building of small houses there. In the woods above the fledgling town, copper, silver and gold were mined, and the population grew. In the 1850s, Bridge of Allan gained both recognition and wealth as a spa town, where the affluent would come to ‘take the waters’, among them Robert Louis Stevenson and Charles Dickens. Its wide roads and impressive villas took shape, alongside the (still beautifully preserved) parks and gardens. Today, Bridge of Allan is worth at least one day out of your holiday to explore. And here’s a few reasons why:

The Old Bridge Area: Follow signs to Bridge of Allan Rail Station and you will pass the Old Bridge Inn, built in 1710, a building central to the town’s ‘Bridge End’, the area where the first bridge across the river was built in 1520. Just near the pub you will see the former meal mill, recently restored, which was one of several mills formerly powered by the River Allan.

Villas of Blairforkie Drive, Bridge of Allan

The Allan Water and Bridge: Down by the side of the Allan Water Bridge is a great little picnic area just on the river bank by the weir – if you’re lucky you will see heron and dippers. For the more ambitious, you can walk from Bridge of Allan along the Allan Water to Dunblane along the ‘Darn Road’, catching a train from Dunblane for the quick hop back to Bridge of Allan. To start, find the path off Blairforkie Drive just by the river. Take care in poor weather as the path can be slippy. For details, see: http://www.instirling.com/walks/darnmap.htm and http://www.heritagepaths.co.uk/pathdetails.php?path=90

The Allanwater Brewhouse: Tucked behind the Queen’s Hotel, just off the main street of Bridge of Allan, this innovative micro-brewery (the smallest commercial brewer in Scotland) combines brewery, pub, and brewery shop. It offers tours, sampling, a cosy bar, good food, live music events and a very relaxed atmosphere. Entry and tastings of Allanwater’s best-selling cask ales is free. A hidden gem. Details here: http://bridgeofallan.co.uk/

The Nineveh Fountain, Bridge of Allan

The Nineveh Fountain, Bridge of Allan, erected in the town's heyday as a spa town

Bridge of Allan Heritage Trail: This brilliant little walk takes in many of Bridge of Allan’s historical landmarks including the Tollbar Stone, the Spa town’s first bath house, the Provost’s Lamp, the Paterson Clock, a walk to Stevenson’s Cave and more. It includes starting point, directions, and full information on each of the sites you will see: http://www.explore-stirling.com/what-to-do/walk-tour/the-bridge-of-allan-heritage-trail/

The Pullar Memorial Park: At the far end of Bridge of Allan, just before the University, is Pullar Memorial Park, stunning gardens that are home to the town’s war memorial. These gardens are worth a walk at any time of year but are particularly beautiful in April/May when the outer avenues are in full blossom.  For information see: http://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/pullar-memorial-park-p254021

For more information on Bridge of Allan shopping and restaurants, see: http://www.bridgeofallan.com/

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