📌 Touch Hills, Stirling
★★★★
It’s only a 5-minute drive from the suburbs of Stirling city, but North Third Reservoir is a truly stunning location for a short walk. Backed by the pinnacle crags of Lewis Hill, these trout-rich waters are often frequented by swans, ducks – and greylag geese which can provide a noisy accompaniment to the otherwise tranquil scene. Some parts of the shore path are a bit squelchy, but the views are excellent – and sensational once atop Sauchie Craig and Lewis Hill. As for the sunsets…
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish near Weatherlaw Wood, minor road 4 mi southwest of Stirling
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 756880
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 56.068827,-3.999560
❌ No public transport within 1 mi
🚗 Various laybys
📝 Key info
▶ 5 km / 3 mi | ▲ 100 m | ⌛ 1.5-2 hr
Features: 💧North Third Reservoir; △ Lewis Hill (266 m)
⬤ Moderate | Clear paths are muddy in parts low down, although duckboards cross the worst bits. Short but steep ascent to crags.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – path on west bank of Bannock Burn – west bank of North Third Reservoir – cross dam – ascend Sauchie Craig at east end – Lewis Hill – Craigs Wood – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Hundreds of excitable greylag geese; sheep, mallard ducks, wigeon.
Weather: Sunny with a gentle breeze, temperature in low / mid teens.* Calm & crisp with evening sunshine, sub-zero temperature by the return to the car. A dusting of snow on the ground in shady spots.**
April 2025* & March 2016**