📌 Strathaven, South Lanarkshire
★★★
The ruins of an old mill stand close to a waterfall on the Kype Water just northwest of Sandford village (no relation to the setting for Hot Fuzz, but just as peaceful). Once upon a time, a local lad fell for the miller’s daughter here. The miller disapproved of the romance and forbade the relationship. As revenge, the young male lover threw his eyeglass into the mill’s thatch, which soon caught fire. The sorry tale destroyed the mill and christened the waterfalls – Spectacle E’e (Eye) Falls – which are impressive in spate. Starting in the historic market town of Strathaven has the disadvantage of a longish road walk to end the route but also the chance to visit the town’s castle ruin – and the possibility of finding refreshment at the start or finish.
📷 Chronological photo guide
Common Green, Strathaven 
Strathaven Castle 
Powmillon Burn next to the castle 
Signpost for start of path to the falls 
Bridge over the Avon Water 
Avon Water 
Path along the Avon Water 
Path along the Kype Water 
Remains of Spectacle E’e Mill 
Dipper 
Spectacle E’e Falls 
Path beyond the waterfall 
Upper fall 
Sandford 
Kype Water at Sandford 
Rural views from the track out of Sandford 
Road return
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Common Green, Strathaven town centre
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 702445
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.676499,-4.065746
🚌 Bus to Strathaven
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 5 km / 3 mi | ▲ 120 m | ⌛ 1.5 hr
Features: 🏠 Strathaven ★★; 🏰 Strathaven Castle ★; 🌊 Spectacle E’e Falls ★★ & mill
⬤ Moderate | Faint paths across farmland to Avon Water, then clear paths but slippery / rough in places. Road section has a pavement.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise lollipop circuit: start – Strathaven – Strathaven Castle – path from back of castle emerges on Todshill Street (B7086) – B7086 to 🧭 NS 708438 – bridge over Avon Water – Spectacle E’e Falls & mill – Sandford – track to 🧭 NS 703431 – B7086 to start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Butterflies, starlings, swallows; dipper at the falls. Cows and sheep in adjacent fields.
Weather: 15°C, sunshine (despite forecast showers).
August 2017
Also on this walk
Spectacle E’e Falls ★★
🌍 Location
📌 On the Kype Water, 10-min walk northwest of Sandford
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 715434
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.667095,-4.043902
🚌 Bus to Strathaven (1 mi)
🚗 Street parking in Sandford
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
💬 If not doing the whole walk, those with their own vehicle can start from Sandford, from where it’s only a 10-min walk (each way) to the falls using part of the route in reverse (⬤ Easy).
