Sometimes, less is more. When you’re taking a short break in a new place it’s all too tempting to cram all the better-known sites in for a whistle-stop tour. But often, you can absorb the feel of your temporary home all the better by exploring just one little bit of it at greater leisure – creating your own personal snapshot. For this week’s blog, we’re looking at just one little corner of Stirling, a very attractive and historic one, just under the shadow of the Wallace Monument, with the historic parish of ‘Logie’ at its heart.
Logie Kirk. The ruin of the original Logie Church stands 500m to the north of this church.
Logie Kirk and Old Kirk: Logie Kirk and Old Kirk lie at the edge of the Airthrey Estate, on the A99 Stirling to St Andrews Road and clearly signposted. There is ample parking at Logie Kirk, built in 1805 and still a thriving parish. From the car park, you’ll also spot the former gatehouse to the Airthrey Estate, whose grounds are now home to the University of Stirling. Walk up the wooded lane to Logie Kirk – it has a traditional wooden lych gate more often seen in English churches. Look up as you pass under for inscriptions underneath the roof. The graveyard is beautifully kept and well worth a walk on a bright day before walking up the narrow walled road to the site of Old Logie Kirk on your right. Now ruined, the old Kirk dates back to 1684, although mention is made of a church at Logie in 1178 by the Bishop of Dunblane. If you’re visiting in autumn, bring a bag – this lane yields bumper crops of blackberries in October. Take a moment to peek further up the narrow road past the old Kirk until you spot a cream-coloured cottage on the left. Although it has now seen better days, Garden Cottage became the first home to the University of Stirling in 1967, before any of the other campus buildings were created.
A clear day on the summit of Castle Law looking towards Dumyat, Ochil Hills, Stirling.
Dumyat Hill: By following this same narrow walled road up from Logie Kirk you can reach the hill of Dumyat, which affords great views across Stirling. You can park your car some way up on the junction with Sherriffmuir Road, before beginning the rest of the walk up to the top – this route provides one of the most gentle ascents (total elevation 418 metres). Foot paths to the Dumyat peak have recently been upgraded and, with good shoes, this steady climb will be manageable by most walkers. Add a stone to the cairn at the top before beginning your descent. Fitter visitors may be interested in taking part in (or watching!) the annual University of Stirling Dumyat Hill Race on 7 May: http://www.stir.ac.uk/dumyat/ For more information on Dumyat see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumyat
Cambuskenneth Abbey, in Cambuskenneth village, Stirling
Cambuskenneth Abbey: Under the shadow of the Wallace Monument, not far from Logie Kirk, lies the picturesque village of Cambuskenneth. The village is home to the ruins of Cambuskenneth Abbey, a peaceful spot owned by Historic Scotland with free entrance to all visitors. The Abbey lies in the flat floodplain of the River Forth, encircled by one of the river’s long loops. In early summer, birdwatchers will enjoy larks rising from the surrounding farmland in full song. Founded in 1140 by Kind David I, the Abbey was home to Robert Bruce’s parliament in 1326. Both James III and his queen, Margaret of Denmark, were buried here in the 1480s. See: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/propertyresults/propertydetail.htm?PropID=PL_052
Blairmains Farm Shop and Coffee Bothy: Hungry? When you’re in this neck of the woods, an ideal place for a home cooked lunch and a few deli items to take home is Blairmains Farm Shop and Coffee Bothy. Situated just under the Witches Craig around a mile from Logie Kirk, the shop, restaurant and deli are open 10 til 4. For more details and directions see: www.blairmains.com/home
For detailed directions to all these sites from your holiday accommodation, you can use the following websites:
Image credits:
- Photo of Logie Kirk, Author: Lisa Jarvis [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo of Dumyat, Author John Chroston [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo of Cambuskenneth Abbey, Author Otter (Own work) [GFDL CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons