Top 8 Lakes around Culross

If you are looking for a peaceful retreat to enjoy nature, you might want to visit Gartmorn Dam Country Park and Nature Reserve near Sauchie. It is the oldest reservoir in Scotland and covers an area of 370 acres. You can walk, cycle, horse ride or fish around the 170 acre reservoir, which has fine views over Clackmannanshire and the Firth of Forth. You can also spot red squirrels and migratory wildfowl in the park, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The dam was built by Sir John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar, in 1700 to power the pumps for his coal mines. It also provided water for Alloa's industrial development, especially the breweries. There is a cafe, free parking and wheelchair access at the park.

Can be busy in summer months. Cormorants and herons a common sight.

Limekilns is a village on the Firth of Forth. The village dates to at least the 14th century. It has a good natural harbour which created a good place to ferry goods and fish from. Later the port became more industrialised and would have been involved in the quicklime processing before the large kilns were built in Charlestown upstream. Running from here along the coast and inland on the network of minor roads and trails is nice, nothing is particularly hard or exciting but it's a good place for a pretty run or to get some miles in.

Townhill Country Park is made up of the Town Loch, Townhill Woods & the Town Park. There are miles of fun running trails around this area including this section of disused railway line. It's a multi user trail so do watch out for bikes and walkers but it's well surfaced and good for racking up some miles or enjoying a peaceful and low stress pretty run.

Gartmorn Dam is a loch, country park and nature reserve managed by Clackmannanshire council. The loch was built by Sir John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar, to power the pumps which drained his coal mines. Today it's a nature reserve with a good network of paths allowing you to walk around the loch and explore the reserve.

The cycle/walking track that runs from Queen Margaret hospital to Townhill loch is a great way to avoid traffic but sections do suffer from flooding.

220526 - date reference

Refreshments The Bruce Arms: https://www.brucearmslimekilns.co.uk/ Location: https://goo.gl/maps/PusbkTcYC9UNYtrm9 The Ship Inn: https://www.the-ship-inn-limekilns.co.uk/ Location: https://goo.gl/maps/gQvyrRsV6jgxQ7px8 The Sundial Cafe: https://www.facebook.com/SundialCafeLimekilns Location: https://goo.gl/maps/8KNnrMD6ocn5uvCQ9 The Church Tea Room: https://www.limekilnschurch.org/tearoom.html Location: https://goo.gl/maps/TPzbMoMRw5s66vLx6