The ample and very pleasant countryside on the north side of the Campsie Fells has always been popular with both walkers and wealthy commuter-belt residents seeking peace and privacy in the beautiful surroundings. So it’s perhaps no surprise that it was here that the broad public access rights enjoyed in Scotland – and recently enshrined in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, legislation fought hard for by Ramblers Scotland – faced one of its sternest challenges. In 2005, Euan Snowie locked his gates to his 70-acre Boquhan Estate on the edge of Kippen and applied to the courts to have his estate declared as land over which access rights should not apply. He claimed that the order was needed to protect his family from the risk of kidnap and to allow shooting on the grounds. Ramblers Scotland, together with Stirling Council, successfully challenged the order in the courts (the Sheriff judged only 13 acres immediately adjacent to the house should be regarded as private), and earlier this year Mr Snowie dropped his appeal against the decision. As well as passing by the Boquhan Estate, this gentle circular walk highlights some of Kippen’s most attractive surrounding countryside that can and should be enjoyed by everyone.
[1] From the war memorial go down Rennie’s Loan – a cobbled lane lined by an old blacksmith and coach house. Continue onto a grassy track lined with beech trees and follow it downhill.
There are good views over the Forth valley and to the Highlands beyond.
[2] At the tarmac road, head right through the gate. Towards the bottom of the lane, it swings to the left. Follow it uphill to the farm and then continue on a rough road to the B8037.
[3] Turn left and follow the B8037 for 150m. Cross the road to the gateway and take up the driveway signed ‘Public Footpath’ to Broich and Fintry Road. As the driveway bends to the right, go left and continue through a gate. Follow the path along the right-hand edge of the field and into a cutting.
[4] Continue through the gate onto a path uphill, with a steep drop to a stream below. Continue on at Broich Mill to a junction with a minor road. Turn right and then first left onto a grassy lane. At Dighty, go straight ahead onto a tarmac drive and follow it to the B822.
[5] Cross the road and then follow a driveway through a gate and uphill. At the white lodge house for Gribloch House, follow the path to the left through a gate and into some trees, keeping ahead to a locked gate.
[6] Climb over (it’s not high), and go left then right down a rough lane. Just beyond a large house the track forks. Take the left fork and follow the farm track to a minor road.
[7] At a minor road, go left and follow the road downhill for 2½km / 1½ miles.
The road is pleasantly wooded with good views over open country.
Keep left at Myreton Hill farm and at the bottom of the hill turn left over a stone bridge.
[8] When the road turns sharply right at a sandstone house, go left through a gate to pick up a right-of-way. Follow this grassy lane and then the minor road into Kippen.
Boquhan Estate is on the right and Boquhan House can be seen from the path. There are good views beyond to the mountains of Ben Vorlich, Stuc a Chroin and Ben Ledi.