Tulliallan Drove Road Show path on map
Start location: dismantled railway, Gartfinnan Farm ( NS 941 920 )
End location: outskirts of Kincardine, near Tulliallan Castle (College) ( NS 934 881 )
Geographical area: Fife
Path type: Drove Road
Path distance: 4.6km
Accessibility info: Suitable for pedestrians
Route Description
Although this route has a long history, it is somewhat hard to follow now. It heads south from the cycle path along a field boundary, but the section before the A907 is ploughed out. If the field is not in crop, cross this and on the far side of the road the old route’s line can be followed as far as NS940903 where dominant use turns east through North Wood. However, the old route continued south-southwest passing through what is now Tulliallan Farm, so it may be necessary to find your way around to pick up another field boundary on its line which ultimately passes the east side of the Tulliallan golf course to reach Kincardine’s core paths network. From here there are now various ways to reach Kincardine.
OS Landranger 58 (Perth & Alloa, Auchterarder) and 65 (Falkirk & West Lothian)
Heritage Information
This path is thought to be an old drove road and must have been very busy with cattle at one point. For cattle travelling to the big Tryst at Falkirk the two main places for crossing the Forth were at Alloa and at Kincardine, or Higginsneuk as it was called then. It is interesting to note that the place name Higginsneuk has reappeared in recent times as the name of the new roundabout at the end of the Clackmannanshire Bridge, although it now seems to be called Higgins' Neuk.
This crossing at Kincardine must have become very busy indeed because in May 1827 there were complaints that the crossing at Alloa was too expensive and other ways to cross would be sought. Therefore the path running up towards the east end of Gartmorn Dam must have been very busy with thousands of cattle passing every year.
