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Clackmannanshire Council Online

Alva Glen

Alva Glen

Alva Glen upper path remains closed

It has been reported to us that people are climbing over the safety barriers and entering the closed area of Alva Glen. 

The upper path at Alva Glen remains CLOSED as the condition of the path has worsened significantly and poses a serious health and safety risk. For your safety, please take note of the signs and do not enter the path which has a large, expanding hole.

Currently there is no way to check behind the water pipe running under the path so the stability of path and its safety cannot be guaranteed. 

Due to the nature of the problem and its location finding a solution is proving to be very complex and challenging. 

The Council has been in contact with specialist engineers and we are attempting to obtain quotes for this work. 

In the meantime however, we have been warned by bridge engineers that the erosion could stretch much further than what is initially visible and that patching the area may only lead to further deterioration.

AGAIN: Please do not go into the closed part of the glen for any reason. Please use alternative paths to reach the hills. Please do not promote this path on social media as you are not only endangering your own lives but that of others too. 

Contact the Rangers with any queries/updates on repairs by emailing rangers@clacks.gov.uk.

Note that Tillicoultry Glen also remains closed from the first bridge.

Alva Glen is situated above the village of Alva at the foot of the Ochil Hills. A car park gives access to the formal gardens. To the north of the gardens, the path runs into a more rugged area offering views down into a steep gorge, it then passes the remnants of an old dam that supplied the mills with water.

Sections of the path through the Glen are uneven, slippery, and unfenced with some steep drops. Please be careful, especially in wet weather, and wear suitable footwear. For their own safety, please take care of children and keep dogs under close control.

While walking in this area keep a look out for wildlife, a kestrel is often spotted in the upper part of the glen around the rocky cliffs. It feeds mainly on mice and voles. The long tailed grey wagtail can also be seen in the lower part of the glen all year round. The Glen is now fenced all round to keep sheep out which lets young trees grow again. With no sheep to eat them wild flowers can also flourish, meaning more food and shelter for insects.

By 1830, nine mills used the water from the Glen to drive their machines; and the formal gardens attracted people from all over central Scotland to dance to music in the illuminated glen in years gone by.

For Further Information Contact

Countryside Rangers
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000
Email: