Cycling Trails in Scotland: Tillicoultry Burn

Family Friendly Rating: 72%

DISTANCE EST. TIME [Excl breaks] CALORIES
8.5 Miles 1 Hour, 20 min 263

Given that it is a Wednesday evening and light is not on my side, I decided to take a smaller cycling route today. I would recommend starting at the foot of the Tillicoultry Glen for this cycle as there is usually sufficient car parking here. Tillicoultry Glen once powered 8 Mills located throughout Tillicoultry using a lade system. Nowadays, the glen is more of a local and tourist attraction and provides scenic walks up one of the Hillfoots better glens and also provides access to it's highest peak 'Ben Cleuch'.

Tillicoultry Burn

From the car park head down the hill under you reach the main road. Please note on the map below that I have highlighted in red a quieter route if you so wish. Cross directly over the road and continue across the flat lowlands until you reach the cycle path on the Devon Way.

Follow the Devon Way as far as Sauchie, passing the Auchinbaird Windmill on your left hand side. Although the windmill is up a small hill and slightly off track it is worth making a detour to see this fine example of an 18th Century windmill which was used to drain a coal pit and was later converted to a dovecot. The windmill has recently been refurbished thanks to the local council, however, it is the magnificent view of Ochils that is true appeal of this location.

Auchinbaird Windmill

Upon reaching Sauchie, following the residential streets until you reach Gartmorn Dam. Gartmorn Dam is Scotlands oldest reservoir dating back to 1713. It was home to the Sherrifyards Colliery which is now in ruin and a railway once extended up the west side of the dam to service this site. The ruins are easily missed, as although they are at the side of the path much of it has succumbed to nature. The old railway line is now the footpath, however, I headed the opposite way around the dam along initially the farm road and then on to the dirt path. The dam is now located in the Country Park of the same name and is home to a fishery. Fishing permits can be purchased at the visitors centre. There are plenty of resting places [picnic benches and seats] around the dam and I chose to rest for a moment at one near the visitors centre. After a quick call to Sarah, who was working, I recommenced the cycle heading past the visitors centre on my left. The visitors centre has toilet facilities and a very small shop. These are seasonal and are quite often not open when I visit the dam. There is also a small exhibition inside which can enlighten you on the history of the dam and provides details of the fauna and animals that inhibit this natural area.

Sterling Mills

Leaving Gartmorn dam you enter the small coal mining village of Coalsnaughton. There is not much of interest here, but there are a few shops where refreshments can be purchased. From here it is a long downhill road as far as the Sterling Mill Outlet Village. Sterling Mills has a number of places to get food and drink. Within the Mills outlet village, BB's Coffee shop is excellent if you want a coffee and snack or you can get an ice-cream at Thorntons. If you would rather having something more filling, I would recommend either the Hub [located within Sterling Warehouse] or the Butterfly Inn. I eat regularly in both these restaurants and the food is always first class. The Hub is more of a canteen style restaurant where as the Butterfly Inn has more of Pub restaurant feel. Either way there are plenty of opportunities to refresh yourself here either before or after your cycle.

From here follow the route through the residential streets of Tillicoultry. You will pass on your way a small shop and then the Fir Park Ski Centre. The Fir Park Ski centre boasts a 120m dry ski slope [the second largest in Scotland] and provides lessons and recreational skiing and snowboarding as well as tubing parties.

Following along the foothill you soon arrive back at the car park at the foot of the glen.