Bridge of Allan

Bridge of Allan is a small Victorian Spa town in Stirlingshire in central Scotland, with a population of 5250 in 2021. Nestled beneath the iconic Wallace Monument, it's part of the city of Stirling. Demarcated by the meandering River Forth, Bridge of Allan grew up where the main road north crossed the small river Allan Water. There was a brief spell of copper mining in the 18th century, but in the 19th the village morphed into a spa resort, boosted by the railways and celebrity visitors, and the great monument to Wallace's victory was built. In the 20th century, the University of Stirling was developed on the town's doorstep, on the grounds of Airthrey Estate.

Understand

Keir Mill on the path to Dunblane

In 1297 William Wallace held much of the north and Dundee was his next target, when the English under the Earl of Surrey marched north against him. At Stirling, Surrey dithered over crossing the River Forth, while the Scots got ready to meet him. He was urged to ford the river further upstream, which he could have done quickly outflanking the Scots. Instead he began to advance over the bridge, a ricketty narrow wooden structure that could only fit two horsemen abreast - the manouevre was bound to take hours. The Scots bided their time till 2000 had crossed then set on and slew them. Surrey could still have held his position at Stirling but bolted south to Berwick, and Scotland was in the hands of Wallace.

Wallace was never crowned king, but ruled as "Guardian of Scotland" until his betrayal, capture and execution in 1305 by the English. A war of succession broke out in Scotland: King Edward II tried to place a puppet king on their throne, and occupied Stirling Castle, but in 1314 the Scots under Robert the Bruce besieged the castle and defeated the English army a few miles south at Bannockburn. Scotland's independence was recognised in 1320 in the Declaration of Arbroath.

These two great victories are icons of Scottish lore and identity to this day - which gives the game away, that they were never so successful in battle again. There was a long period of peace until 1502 when, not leaving well enough alone, the two nations signed the Treaty of Perpetual Peace. Hostilities soon resumed and in 1513 Scotland suffered a catastrophic defeat at Flodden in Northumberland, with King James IV killed. They regrouped and came again, but suffered another crushing defeat near Carlisle in 1542. Never again could Scotland by itself pose a military threat to England. But if, say, France were to join as an ally, as in the Jacobite rebellions, surely they'd fare better?

Visitor information

• Discover Bridge of Allan is volunteer-run local information.

Get in

By road

Follow M9 to its terminus at Junction 11 then return south on A9. For the University, bypass Stirling to the east on A91 then turn onto Alloa Rd past the monument. From Stirling simply follow A9 north.

By rail

Trains take four minutes from Stirling, and continue north to Dunblane; they run every 30 min and originate either from Glasgow Queen Street or from Edinburgh via Falkirk. Trains heading further north towards Aberdeen or Inverness seldom stop here, change at Stirling or Dunblane.

1 Bridge of Allan railway station has EV charging and free parking, but is just a platform halt with ticket machines. There is level access to Platform 1 (towards Stirling) and a ramp to Platform 2.

By bus

Long distance coaches don't stop here, change in Stirling.

McGill's Bus 54 runs every 20 min between Stirling, Bridge of Allan village and the University. The Uni-link bus to the University doesn't come into Bridge of Allan.

Citylink 909 runs from Edinburgh every two hours via the airport, Bo'ness, Grangemouth, and Falkirk to Stirling, with two per day continuing to the University.

Stagecoach Bus 15 runs every two hours from Crieff via Dunblane, and continues to Stirling. Docherty's Bus 20 runs from Auchterarder.

Get around

You could use Bus 54 between the village and the University, however the town is compact, with almost all everything you need walkable within 10-15 minutes - it's an excellent example of the 20 minute neighbourhood.

Although a lot of Bridge of Allan's residential homes are on a hill, the main street and community facilities are mainly on the flat, making the area well accessible for those with mobility issues.

See

• 1 Wallace Monument, Abbey Craig FK9 5LF (1 mile northeast of Stirling near Bridge of Allan), ☏ +44 1786 472140. Daily Nov-Mar 10:00-16:00, Apr-Jun & Sept-Oct 09:30-17:00, Jul-Aug 09:30-18:00. Set on the hill north of Stirling, this monument honours William Wallace who led the Scottish to victory over the English. It was built 1861-69 - Garibaldi was among those who contributed to the funding. Inside are displays about the Battle of Stirling Bridge and about important Scottish people. You have a great view over Stirling and its surroundings from the top. Adult £11.30, child 5-15 years £7.10, conc £9.20. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Stirling University is set in a landscaped park and estate, with Airthrey Castle and a lake with lots of wildlife. It's two miles east of Bridge of Allan railway station, or take the bus from Stirling.
• Tollbar by the bridge marks the spot where the Jacobites charged a toll to cross, during their occupation of the town in 1745.
• 3 Lecropt Kirk, FK9 4NB (off A9 east of village), ☏ +44 7733 598830. 24 hours. Handsome church in Gothic revival style, built in 1827 so it's late Georgian. Note the stain glass windows. The church is on a slight rise with views over the "carse" - the riverside meadows - and Stirling and the Monument. Of the former village of Lecropt nothing remains. (updated Feb 2024)
• 4 Cambuskenneth Abbey is this side of the river, downstream from the Monument, but it's easier to access by the footbridge from Stirling.

Do

• Bridge of Allan Highland Games are held in early August on Strathallan Games Park off Airthrey Ave, with the next on Su 4 Aug 2024.
• Golf: Bridge of Allan Golf Club is north side of the village. It's nine holes, designed by Old Tom Morris in 1895. Twice around off white tees is 5120 yards, par 66, visitor fee £20.
• Darn Walk is an old drovers' trail along the east bank of the Allan Water north to Dunblane, 3 miles. Start from Blairforkie Drive at the village bridge. Follow a rough track along the wooded riverbank to "Ben Gunn's Cave" - Robert Louis Stevenson often holidayed in this area as a youth and may have taken this cave as his model. Beyond, you cross a low ridge to come into Dunblane. The riverbank path continues upstream to Ashfield.
• The Ochils rise steeply above the village - they're not the Highlands, but a good overture. Dumyat Hill (429 m) is their outpost, reached by a trail (5 miles there and back) from Pendreich Forest car park on Sheriffmuir Rd. A branch path leads onto Castle Law, with the best views of the monument and Stirling Castle.
• Dollar Glen further east is a ravine leading up to Castle Campbell - the autumn colours are sublime.

Buy

University of Stirling

• Co-op Food is at 12 Fountain Rd, junction with Henderson St the main road, open daily 07:00-22:00. Tesco has closed down.

Eat

• Main street cheap and cheerful eateries include Bayne's Bakery, Lee's House Chinese takeaway, Friend of Mine licensed cafe, and La Cucina Italian.
• 1 Allanwater Cafe, 15 Henderson St FK9 4HN, ☏ +44 1786 833060. W-M 08:00-20:00. Great fish and chips, vegan and gluten-free options. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Nairn's (formerly Nick's), 28 Henderson St FK9 4HR, ☏ +44 1786 831616. W-F 12:00-23:00, Sa Su 12:00-18:00. Good cuisine and service at the revival of Nick's, which suffered a fire in 2021. (updated Feb 2024)
• 3 Westerton Arms, 34 Henderson St FK9 4HR, ☏ +44 1786 200545. Daily 09:00-00:00. Pub with decent food. (updated Feb 2024)

Drink

At the village Highland Games

• 1 Allanwater Brewhouse, Queens Lane FK9 4HP (village centre), ☏ +44 1786 834555. Tu, Th-Sa 12:00-23:00, Su 12:00-19:00. Pub with its own microbrewery. Brews a wide range of ales including one with mangoes, another with nettles. Occasional music in the evening. Tours £25. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 The Bawbee, 24 Henderson St FK9 4HP, ☏ +44 1786 643653. Su W Th 11:00-00:00, F Sa 11:00-01:00. Cocktail bar on the ground floor of a building that used to be a hotel, and located around the corner from Allanwater Brewhouse. (updated Mar 2024)
• 3 The Rising Sun, 8 New St FK9 4NZ, ☏ +44 1786 833281. Su-Th 12:00-22:30, F Sa 12:00-00:00. (updated Mar 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Meadowpark Hotel, 56 Kenilworth Rd FK9 4RY, ☏ +44 131 357-2857. Smart welcoming hotel near university. B&B double £110. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Stirling Court Hotel, Airthrey Rd FK9 4LA (on university campus), ☏ +44 1786 451666. Good budget hotel within the university. B&B double £60. (updated Feb 2024)
• 3 Witches Craig Caravan Park, Blairlogie FK9 5PX (On A91), ☏ +44 1786 474947. Open March-Oct, a clean friendly site with great views. Tent £21, hook-up £27. (updated Feb 2024)

Connect

As of Feb 2024, Bridge of Allan has 4G from Vodafone, and 5G from EE, O2 and Three.

Go next

• Stirling is a short bus ride away.
• Dunblane and Perth are on the route north into the Highlands.