📌 The Trossachs, Stirling
★★★
The body of Reverend Robert Kirk lies buried close to the ruined church on the southern outskirts of Aberfoyle. But where is his soul? In the 1600s the Reverend wrote an essay about the fairies on nearby Doon Hill. Legend tells that the fairies, dismayed at their secrets having being revealed, captured the Reverend and imprisoned his spirit in the pine tree at the summit. This walk more than makes up in atmosphere what it may lack in views: the associated dark story transforms a beautiful location into one that can send shivers down your spine. The sounds of rustling wind chimes on a breezy day doesn’t really help either…
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Aberfoyle Old Parish Church & cemetery, Manse Road, immediately south of Aberfoyle
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NN 518005
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.174147,-4.388661
🚌 Bus to Aberfoyle
🚗 Street parking
📝 Key info
▶ 2 km / 1 mi | ▲ 60 m | ⌛ 45 min
Features: ⛪Aberfoyle Old Parish Church & cemetery; △ Doon Hill (77 m); 🧚 Doon Hill fairies
⬤ Easy | Minor road, track & good paths – steep just near summit. Route signposted once on the track.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise lollipop circuit: start & old church – track to foot of Doon Hill – Doon Hill via southernmost of two paths to summit – return via northern path to track – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Robins and other birds in the forest. And fairies of course…
Weather: Dry and often sunny but breezy; temperature in single figures.
April 2016
