Get Lost Mountaineering

Finnich Glen & Devil's Pulpit

Start/Finish

As close to the junction of the A809 and B834 as possible. There is very limited parking here for about 6 cars. There is a lay by about 300 m south down the A 809. On road or verge parking is no longer allowed and all nearby roads have double yellow lines. This is a deliberate policy to limit access to the Finnich Glen and the damage which would be caused by it having too many visitors. Best to visit out of season.

Distance/Time

About 1 km       About 2 hours if you wish to fully explore

Peaks

No peaks.     OS sheet 57: Stirling and the Trossachs

Introduction

The Finnich Glen is a deep gorge on the Carnock Burn. It's popularity has soared in recent years possibly as a result of being featured in various films and TV series such as “Outlander”. After the Covid lockdown of 2020eased, the number of visitors caused traffic chaos in the local area leading to access to the glen being closed. Local car parking is limited to about 20 cars and no on road or verge parking is now allowed with fines for those who park on the double yellow lines. To avoid disappointment, it is best to visit out of season and early in the day. For the best views into the tree lined gorge, it is also best to visit when there are no leaves on the trees – from late Autumn to early Spring. The gorge is quite short, about 400 m long. There is a path along both sides with others near the precipitous edge. The top end of the glen is where it goes under the A809. West of here, the glen is a normal stream. At the bottom of the gorge is a similar normal stream where it is possible to cross over in a dry spell. There are no safety signs or warnings above the gorge. A fall into the gorge is likely to be fatal so young children should be kept firmly under control as there are many false paths leading over the edge. There are steps down into the gorge from the south side but they are in a very poor state of repair and need great care but they do lead down to where the Devil's Pulpit is visible about 50 m upstream although wading may be needed to reach it so plastic sandals could be useful.. It should be noted that researching this glen on the Internet will lead to some contradictory results!

Route

(1) From the junction car park, walk down the field keeping to the right. Reach the path near the edge of the gorge and turn right, upstream. When the path reaches the road, retrace to the path further from the edge and exit onto the A809. Cross the bridge then look for a gate on the right. Follow the path, past old barbecues and lots of litter to reach the Carnock Burn. Follow it for the short distance to where it goes under the A809 below an arched bridge. This is the start of the Finnich Glen but there is no path under the bridge so retrace back to the road. Cross over the road and take the path on the right, above the gorge, before the road crosses the bridge. Follow the path downstream above the gorge taking extra care if close to the edge.

(2) After about 200 m, some steps go steeply down a break in the cliffs. These are in a poor state of repair, some are missing and they can be quite slippery so take it slowly and carefully. Reach the bottom of the gorge where there is usually a flat area. The Devil's Pulpit is about 50 m upstream and is a low mushroom shaped rock in the middle of the stream. It is possible to walk a few metres upstream but the water soon becomes too deep for trainers or boots. Many wade the few metres, either barefoot or wearing plastic sandals. If you try it in hiking boots, you are likely to get wet feet! Retrace back up the steps to the path above the gorge.

(3) Continue downstream above the gorge until the path seems to run out about where the gorge runs out as well. It is possible to pick a way down, crossing the fence, to reach the water which is now a normal stream again and which can usually be crossed here. The stream is quite shallow so it is possible to walk up the stream bed for some distance. When the water deepens, go over a rocky mound on the left and regain the stream. It is not usually possible to go much further so retrace to where the north bank can be easily gained. A fence has to be gone under then ascend up to follow the edge of the gorge, crossing another fence. Walk to where you first reached the gorge then retrace back to the car park.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 25^thMay, 2022, with the Devil's Pulpit being revisited on 18^th August, 2023.