Kippen – Discover Landscapes, Trails and History

Kippen lies on the southern slopes of the Gargunnock Hills and overlooks the Carse of Forth. There are also views of the Trossachs Mountains, the Arrochar Alps and the Ochil Hills. Anyone looking for a combination of landscapes, short walks and historical discoveries for their holiday will find various starting points here for planning their own days out.

Landscapes and Trails Around Kippen

For a first impression, the short circular route around Kippen is a good option. It is 1 km long and has an ascent of 30 feet. At 2 km, the Kippen Common & Nature Trail is somewhat longer and leads through woodland and past a small loch used by anglers. The different route lengths help you choose walks to suit your day’s plans without having to commit to just one type of nature experience.

The Burnside Wood and Redgate Hill route adds to this selection. It is a 3.6 km-long Core Path that is signposted throughout on good roads and paths. Burnside Wood and Pond are used for recreation in Kippen. This allows you to take different priorities into account when planning: a short loop, a route through woodland and past a loch, or a longer signposted trail.

Historical Traces and Cultural Tradition

Kippen’s history can be seen in several distinct places and trails. Kippen Smiddy is an historic 18th-century smithy preserved by the National Trust for Scotland. Particularly noteworthy is the rare surviving double hearth. It illustrates the smithy’s former function without limiting the visit to a purely landscape experience.

The traces of ecclesiastical history also reach far back. Kippen’s original church was first mentioned in public records from the 14th century. The restored bell tower and churchyard of the Old Kirk date from the 1690s. Anyone wishing to explore Kippen’s cultural tradition as a whole can include the Kippen Heritage Trail in their travel plans.

On the eastern edge of Kippen lies the recently discovered Hill of Dasher, a hillfort around 2,000 years old. Hill of Dasher was settled during the time of the Roman Empire. This site complements the more recent historical evidence with a much earlier trace of settlement.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Kippen, it is worth first deciding on the desired rhythm of your stay. If landscapes and walks are to be the focus, the routes and viewpoints mentioned above can provide the framework for your days. If you are more interested in local history, Kippen Smiddy, the Old Kirk and the Kippen Heritage Trail can be planned as cultural highlights. Your choice of accommodation should therefore suit the experiences you actually want to explore during your stay.

For mobility planning, Kippen has a bus connection to Stirling and Glasgow. This is a specific aspect you can take into account when choosing your accommodation and putting together your excursions. This leaves room not only for the trails and historical sites in Kippen, but also for travel plans involving these two destinations.

You can find further destinations for your plans at Kinbuck, Crianlarich, Drymen, Stronachlachar, Aberfoyle, Killin, Callander and Balfron.

For the main travel overview: Stirling.