Scotland the Quest, a countrywide cache hunt where you have a special cache in each region of Scotland. 28 cachers have come together to place 32 caches around Scotland to create this series. You should also make a note of the N and W numbers written in the logbook if you intend to complete the quest and find the bonus cache GC4PT3M. Good Luck!
Scotland the Quest - Clackmannanshire takes you on a short climb into the Ochils to 'look aboot ye' at the 'wee county'. The path is rocky in places and can be slippery if wet, so boots are advised.
The Ochil scarp is a defining feature of Clackmannanshire. It divides the gently undulating plain of the Rivers Devon and Forth from the older volcanic Hills with their beautiful steep-sided glens. Park at the Alva Glen car park (just above the golf club car park). Take the small path which leads to a metal stile, cross this then take the righthand path uphill to a gate (Waypoint 1) above and to the east of the golf course. Dogs need to be on a lead from here on because of sheep. The cache is at a height of about 130m.
As you climb look back to see many of the landmarks of the wee county:
Alva Mill - once a woollen mill, now residential,
Clackmannan Tower - SE in the distance,
Clackmannanshire Bridge ( not actually in the wee county but connecting it),
Alloa glassworks,
bonded warehouses in Menstrie - whisky galore,
Menstrie yeast factory,
HM Prison Glenochil,
to the West in neighbouring Stirling you can see the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle.
After finding the cache, you can either retrace your steps back to the car park or, if you feel like exploring further, the path will take you to a small gate (Waypoint 2) above a good viewpoint for the Smugglers' Cave. If you cross the stile and descend you can find GC25JWP. Or you can return directly from the stile to the car park down Alva Glen itself. This is a grand circuit but theT rating would increase to 4. An alternative for the energetic would be to go for GC2ZD2Q.
However you return to the car park, do take a short walk into the Glen to see the waterfall (Waypoint 3) before you leave. If descending the Glen itself use this waypoint to guide you towards your car.
We hope you enjoyed your visit to Clacks.
