📌 Touch Hills, Stirling
★★★★
Only a 5-minute drive from the suburbs of Stirling, the fact that it’s a reservoir can’t take anything away from the fact that North Third Reservoir is a truly stunning location for a short walk. Backed by the pinnacle crags of Lewis Hill, the trout-rich waters are frequented by overwintering geese whose noisy calls are a constant accompaniment to the otherwise tranquil scene. Some parts of the shore path are a bit squelchy, but the views are sensational pretty much as soon as you say goodbye to the potholed layby, and even better from the top of the crags visited on the return leg. Oh – and the sunsets…
📷 Chronological photo guide
Bannock Burn, Lewis Hill beyond 
North Third Reservoir & Lewis Hill 
North Third Reservoir 
North Third Reservoir 
Greylag goose 
Fields near Shielbrae 
Reservoir dam 
Sauchie Craig 
Distant Central Highlands from the ascent 
North Third Reservoir from above 
View north from the approach to the summit 
Looking south 
View north from the summit 
Looking south 
Looking back to the summit from the south top 
Fading light over the reservoir 
Descent to the finish
🌍 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 in the fields, on the reservoir and on its islets; also sheep, mallard ducks and wigeon.
Weather: Calm, crisp and clear evening sunshine; just above freezing, but sub-zero by the return to the car. A dusting of snow on the ground in shady spots.
March 2016
