The Surprise of the new and rediscovering the beauty of my local area - Clackmannanshire, Scotland

The old lade at Forestmill, Clackmannanshire, Scotland [Roaming Scotland]

Introducing Clackmannanshire

I am very blessed to live in the Clackmannanshire countryside - Scotland’s smallest county with the longest name! Lockdown for the majority living in cities must be extremely challenging. For me though, I can walk out of my door into the countryside. It has made me appreciate the natural beauty on my doorstep, which being local can be taken for granted and get overlooked for the less familiar and seemingly more exotic that draws us into making lengthy day trips.

Gartmorn dam, Clackmannanshire, Scotland [Roaming Scotland]

After a lengthy sun-scorched section across the open fields, I turned my steps homewards along a previously untravelled-by-me way, under the shade of an avenue of oaks. You can just make out Sparkie, my collie pal - disguised as a black and white post on the track - leading the way as usual.

Our local Ochil Hills, Clackmannanshire, Scotland [Roaming Scotland]

The Roaming Scotland minibus laid up at home during the lockdown

I have walked some new paths, literally from my doorstep, whilst enjoying the exceptionally fine weather over this period. These were walks not to just exercise the dog in mind, but to go purposefully to appreciate all that is on offer.

The lade (Scots for a mill race - pictured in the main header photo) takes water from our local river the ‘Black Devon’ and formed Gartmorn dam (pictured left) during the industrial period.

The enchantment of a newly discovered farm track [Roaming Scotland]

The Ochil Hills are always within site from anywhere in the ‘Wee County’, raising some lively and very steep relief from the prettiness of rural scenes. However, trekking to their summits from home was something I didn’t tackle - the heat made me feel lazy - happier to amble the woods and fields and enjoy their views.

Take a look at our day tour of ‘Clackmannanshire - the Wee County’ that leads to the best and more adventurous on offer in this unspoilt and unsung corner of Scotland.

The view of the Ochil Hills from our home [Roaming Scotland]