Falls of Leny (nr Callander)
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
Location
Located adjacent to the A84 c. 3km west of Callander. Access is best from the south bank where a former railway is a right of way. You can park c. 1km to the west or c. 2km to the southeast. The best/only/safest swim is (obviously) downstream of the Falls.
Grid Ref
NN 595/088
Features
Large pool with good depth so plenty of room for a swim with the added excitement of fast flowing water nearer the Falls.
Hazards
The pool was fine in the summer when I visited but will be very different at other times of the year. The narrow nature of the river around the Falls suggests there will never be a safe time to swim in this area.
Date of Last Swim
7th August 2010
Lochan an Eireannaich
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
Location
- Approx 7km west of Lochearnhead. Take the minor road off the A84 and park at the Balquhidder village hall (near the church with the famous grave). Follow the track which turns into a path up Glen Kirton (this is all uphill so the Lochan is a useful place to “freshen up”
Grid Ref
- NN515/243
Features
- Lovely spot for a swim after a uphill walk
- Fantastic setting
Hazards
- Some idiots have thrown at least one glass bottle into the Lochan at the NE end (Ruth picked up what we could see but, as ever, be aware)
Date of Last Swim
- July 2021
Loch Larig Eala
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
Location
- Between Killin and Lochearnhead on the west side of the A85. There is parking but some of the obvious places are used by timber lorries so take that into account. We swam at the north end
Grid Ref
- NN558/281
Features
- Adjacent to the main road (but not as busy with people as many of the other nearby Lochs
- Lovely setting
- Shallow and deep water
- What more could you want from a Loch?!
Hazards
- Erh. Other than “the usual ones” you should always be aware of, none
Date of Last Swim
- July 2021
Loch Voil (Balquhidder)
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
Location
4.5km west of Balquhidder (yes such a place does exist)
Grid Ref
NN 485/197
Features
Easy access, surprisingly “not too cold” for the time of year, excellent views all round.
Hazards
Watch out for Ghosts (Rob Roys grave is in Balquhidder)
Date of Last Swim
Late October 2002
[clear]
Loch with no name (nr Aberfoyle)
(A THREE TRUNK location)
Location
Situated in Loch Ard Forest c. 4km west of Aberfoyle. Park in the woodland car parks to the west of the village of Milton where there are information maps showing the various paths/trails.
Grid Ref
NN 484/007
Features
Lovely woodland setting and shallow so pretty warm.
Hazards
In the summer the swim area is restricted to the eastern end. Watch out for underwater twigs and branches.
Date of Last Swim
5th August 2010
Loup of Fintry (Fintry)
(A THREE TRUNK location)
Location
To be honest I’m not to sure as Steve took me there. I think its the waterfall on the Endrick Water c. 4km east of Fintry (maybe 20km west of Stirling). Its signposted off the road (B818?) and only a few hundred metres walk.
Grid ref
NS660/861
Features
Lovely setting and quite unexpected view of falls after only walking 10m from the road. Only limited room for a swim but a great terrace-like setting.
Hazards
Bit of a climb to get down to and I guess when the river is in full flow it would be quite challenging to attempt a swim.
Date of swim
10th April 2011
Mill Dam (nr Kippen)
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
Location
- Approx 4km SW of the village of Kippen. Just north of the junction between a minor road and the B822. A spot recommended by local Steven (also known as “The Poacher” by the local fishermen who assume that he is up to that activity rather than just have a swim)
Grid Ref
- NS614/919
Features
- Easy access. Lovely views. Espcciall when I went in “sunshine”!
Hazards
- None really, but it is a fishing loch so unless you want to be unpopular avoid when its in use for that activity!
Date of swims
- FIRST: 23rd June 2018
- LAST: July 2022
Scout’s Pool/Keltie Water (near Callandar)
Location
You need to follow the minor road from Callandar (west of Stirling) past to golf course up to the point it is gated. Park on side of road and follow the track over a stream and turn left. Then pick your pool because there are several excellent swims. This one is probably called the Scout’s Pool.
Grid Ref
640100 (on OS Sheet 57)
Features
Excellent sized pool with relatively easy access.
Hazards
None really (except the cold)
Date of Last Swim
21st April 2008
Sheriff Muir (nr Dunblane)
(A THREE TRUNK location)
[clear]
Location
Best to follow instructions in Daniel Starts book as although not far from Dunblane or Stirling does involve little roads. But note there is now no “no litter” sign, but there are “no swimming” signs to let you know you have found the right spot!!
Grid Ref
NN819011
Features
This is an excellent plunge pool i.e good fun but not much good for swimming. You can slide down the small waterfall and your backside is protected by moss!
Hazards
None really, although there are signs warning of Lyme disease!
Date of Last Swim
11th April 2010
Stank Water (off Ben Ledi, near Callander)
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
Location
- This is just off the less popular route up/down Ben Ledi. Park in the main (but small) car park off the A84 c. 4km west of Callander and either have a dip on way up or down. This pool is c. 200m up from the small hydro plant
Grid Ref
- NN569/109
Features
- If you are hot and sweaty after climbing Ben Ledi this is the perfect spot to recover. Not a big area for a swim but sufficient.
Hazards
- Be warned I am told that occasionally a skinny dipper has apparently been seen in this pool on his way back down form one of his regular runs up Ben Ledi
Date
- 17th April 2017
Touch Burn waterfall (Cambusbarron)
(FOUR TRUNK locations)
Location
Park in the same place as for the Touch Hill Lochans (see below) but after that you’ll either need a local guide (mine was Stephen Kirk) or quite alot of time as despite being on the edge of the wood its tricky to find.
Grid ref
NS740/924
Features
Great little waterfall with cave behind and reasonably amount of deep water for swimming (well in March there was anyway).
Hazards
None really, but it is a waterfall so watch out for bits of trees coming over the fall!!
Date of swim
30th March 2012
Touch Hills (Cambusbarron)
(FOUR TRUNK locations)
Location
There are three lochans (reservoirs really) just west of Stirling. Easiest access is from the minor road which goes up into the hills from Cambusbarron (just south of A811). Go as far as you can and there is parking on the site of the road near the water works.
Grid ref
NS730/915
Features
Close to Stirling but feels remote. Access easy and plenty of deep water.
Hazards
Best to watch out incase the water board pull out the plug and obviously don’t swim too close to the dam! Also one of the Lochans was a bit rough!!
Date of swim
30th March 2012