📌 Gorge near Croftamie, Stirling
★★★
A mile or so southeast of Croftamie, the A809 descends to cross a small bridge over the Carnock Burn in attractive woodland. You’ve just crossed Scotland’s answer to the Grand Canyon! OK, that might be a wee exaggeration, but this sudden, 80 foot-deep gorge carved by the otherwise unexceptional Carnock Burn is admittedly impressive. Sadly, the location’s natural beauty has been marred by overtourism, having suffered a popularity explosion due to its appearance in various films and TV series. It’s now a major tourist destination but lacks necessary tourist infrastructure. If you live in Scotland or visit regularly, we strongly recommend timing your visit very carefully, or holding off for now – plans are afoot to rectify the situation, with a new car park and facilities in the pipeline.
If you do decide to visit, and manage to park legally and safely (see below), here’s what to expect. Rough (often litter-strewn) paths follow the canyon rims, with restricted views downwards if you can safely approach the edge. A little way along the south side, a notch is reached where crumbling steps descend haphazardly to water level, revealing small waterfalls, potholes and centuries of fallen debris. Great care is required in all of the areas above.
🌍 Location
📌 Off A809 just south of the B834 junction, 2 mi southeast of Croftamie
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 494848
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.033389,-4.415311
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Layby (usually full) with space for 3 cars immediately south of bridge (northbound approach only), or small car park (gets full – don’t block access) at A809 / B834 road junction, 🧭 NS 493850 / 🛰️ 56.034120,-4.419267
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 From the small car park above, paths lead 200m southeast across a field to the north edge of the gorge, which has a path along the top of it (occasional views into gorge). To reach the south edge of the gorge, keep right (upstream) to rejoin the road, then turn left to cross the river on the road bridge (care required – narrow verge & fast traffic). Paths on the far side lead left along the south bank / rim (better views into gorge). After a further 300m, steep “steps” lead down to the base of the gorge – some steps are damaged & hands may be required (⬤ Moderate). It is possible to continue further along the south bank to eventually see where the river leaves the gorge, with access upstream from here possible with care if water levels are low enough. There is also a path on the upstream side of the bridge, on the south bank side, leading down to the burn above the gorge entrance. ⚠️ Most paths near the gorge are rough with unprotected drops – extreme care required.
