Discover Kinbuck

Kinbuck brings together the history of the Battle of Sheriffmuir, historic buildings and connections to the landscape along the Allan Water. These themes are especially relevant when choosing Kinbuck as a destination if you are interested in local and architectural history. The battlefield landscape and individual buildings exist at different spatial scales; the Allan Water features both in the historical context and in relation to Kinbuck Bridge and the walking route.

Battlefield landscape and historic local connections

The designated battlefield landscape of Sheriffmuir includes areas east and southeast of the village of Kinbuck, as well as the south bank of the Allan Water. Parts of these areas are privately owned. On the night before the 1715 battle, the Jacobite army camped on the river’s east bank at an unspecified location northeast of Kinbuck. These two details refer to different spatial scales: a designated landscape on the one hand, and a campsite whose location is only approximate on the other. This keeps the landscape distinct as a larger spatial unit from the approximate description of the campsite.

Buildings with a history of their own

At Cromlix in Kinbuck stands a well-preserved 17th-century sundial. It is an example of the obelisk sundial type, unique to Scotland. The flanking gate piers at Cromlix were originally fireplace cheeks from Lord Strathallan’s house in Dunblane. The sundial and piers therefore represent different historical connections: a distinctive architectural form and building elements that once served a different purpose in another place.

The Kinbuck Carding and Spinning Mill is an early 19th-century wool-spinning and fulling mill building. It has two storeys, an attic and a basement. Its façade is arranged in nine bays; the rubble masonry is cement-rendered, and a central hoist is also one of the building’s features. The clearly structured façade and the hoist complement its former industrial function with specific architectural details. This makes it possible to understand the building not only through its use, but also through its construction.

Kinbuck Bridge is a Category B listed building dating from 1752. The B8033 road between Braco and Dunblane crosses the Allan Water over it. The bridge thus combines a specific role in the road network with the character of a historic structure in its own right. Its connection to the river offers a different perspective on the Allan Water from the battlefield landscape or the route along its banks.

Walking route and time outdoors

The Allan Water and Kinbuck walking route starts in Dunblane and follows the Allan Water via Ashfield to Kinbuck. If you plan to include this route in your trip, check the latest information on its course and waymarking before setting out, as conditions can change. The route can be described by its locations and river course without assuming a walking time or level of difficulty.

The grounds of Cromlix in Kinbuck cover 34 acres of woodland, as well as landscaped gardens with a private chapel and a small loch. Guests at Cromlix can explore the woods, walk by the lochan and watch wildlife in the grounds. These opportunities are available to guests staying at Cromlix. This distinguishes them from the walking route, which runs from Dunblane via Ashfield to Kinbuck. For planning your trip, these offer two different ways to experience the area: activities for guests on the grounds on the one hand, and a route between named places on the other.

Discover more destinations: Kinlochard, Stronachlachar, Killin, Callander, Dunblane, Strathyre, Stirling, Fintry.

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