Dobbies walk, round Highland Gate and Forth Valley College, 4.94km
Risks
. Crossing the road end at Dobbies where it meets the A84 also zebra crossing on this road has worn away/been removed.
. The rough surface path that leads back up from under the motorway.
. Part of the walk uses a multi-user road.
Mitigate risks by highlighting at start of walk and taking time to cross the road end. Advise that using the wheel locks on prams/buggies will make the hill easier to navigate.
Step 1.
Head away from the front of Dobbie’s towards the A84, crossing the road to opposite pavement at dropped kerb before it runs out.
Cross the road end heading back towards Stirling, turn left on to path through the grass before the fence begins, follow this path through the hedge to emerge into a tarmacked area, this is accessed by cars, continue through this are towards the double gaps, pass through pedestrian gap to left hand side( Stirling Fisheries will be on your left), Continue straight through here then bear left, heading down towards the Motorway underpass, carry on till you emerge on the other side. There are 2 ways up the hill on the other side, up the large gravel hill or across the grassed area. Wheel locks would be helpful at this point if going up the gravel. This will be weather dependant.
At the top of the hill, bear left towards the second part of the Fisheries along a narrow tarmacked path. Continue along here until it heads up hill. At the top of the hill turn left towards the houses, follow this road (multi user road, but access only). You will pass several houses and a farm, turn right at the road beside the Highland Gate estate. This road is not named. Continue along here crossing, approx 2/3rds up cross over the right to enter Highland Gate along Dougal Graham Road, follow this road till it meets KIldean Road, follow Kildean Road through the estate following pavements. Just before Wingate Row cross to right hand pavement.
Cross Laidlaw Street to join to hard packed path through the grass, continue along this path as it skirts the estate and goes behind the College Building, following the river. The Wallace monument should be on your left.
Emerge at the side of Forth Valley College in the car park, turn right and walk round the building till you rejoin Dougal Graham Road, turn left, crossing the college car park entrance, walk toward the roundabout then turn right to cross the road.
Walk along Drip Road, when the path forks keep to the left, a path through the grass will appear to the right, at the side of the Highland Gate Restaurant, then follow this pavement to the front of the Restaurant, use the Zebra crossing to cross over to other side and turn right to go back down the mixed use road used earlier next to the Estate. Approx ½ way along turn left at the large green service box to follow a new tarmacked path through the field, this will link back up to the path at the Fisheries. Retrace your steps back under the Motorway and through the open area, back through the hedge to emerge back at the entrance road to Dobbies.