Gartmorn Road , Sauchie, Alloa , FK10 3NZ

Tel: 01259 214319

Facilities

• Country Park Visitor Point 
• Parking
• Picnic Areas (drinks / snacks available from visitor centre)
• Toilets
• Bird Hide
• Walking & Cycling Routes
• Old mining sites of Interest

History

Clackmannanshire has a rich mining history and many signs of this heritage are still visible. None are so impressive as Gartmorn Dam, lying at the heart of the local 370 acre Country Park and Nature Reserve.

The 170 acre reservoir was engineered by Sir John Erskine, the 6th Earl of Mar, to power the pumps which drained his Sauchie mines. The water power his project provided was the catalyst for Alloa's industrial development.

There are many signs of the past around the park including the Old Pump House, the sunken gardens which were formally the 1891 filter beds, and the run-rig systems, the regular bumps in the path which are thought to date back to this old way of farming, before the dam was built.

Today Gartmorn is a peaceful retreat for people walking, cycling, horse riding,  picnicing and bird watching.

Walking/Cycling

There is an established circular route around the dam, which is approximately 3 miles (4.5km), and link to the local path networks to surrounding local towns.

The Fieldfare Trust have produced a Photo trail of the circular route around the dam. A map and detailed disabled access information is available on their website.

Wildlife

The area is a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' and is an important site for migratory wildfowl in the winter months. Many birds also live at Gartmorn all year round and breed here in the summer time. There is a bird hide and viewing screens, the hide requires a key which is available from the visitor centre.

Other wildlife, that can be spotted within the woodland areas, are roe deer, woodpeckers, red squirrel and wild hare.

The Clackmannanshire Ranger Services hold regular events throughout the year, including pond dipping, bat box building and nature walks.

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