Maspie Den, Falkland

The Maspie Den paths were laid out as a showplace of the Falkland Estate in the nineteenth century. Restored today they provide an excellent walk with some fascinating features. The Den can be visited as a shorter walk from the Estate car park, but here we describe it as a loop from picturesque Falkland village, providing a great alternative if time or energy are insufficient for the full East Lomond circuit.

Terrain

Good woodland paths but some steep ascent and muddy patches.

Public Transport

Bus to Falkland.

Start

Falkland centre. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance

4.75km / 3 miles

Time

1.5 - 2.5 hours

Ascent

181m (Profile)

Start Grid Ref

NO252073

Mapping and GPS

Walk Description

Stage 1

Picturesque Falkland, centred on a spectacular Palace built by the Stuart kings, is packed with fascinating historical buildings and is well worth a detailed exploration - it also has a great tea-room for after the walk! Begin the route from the Bruce fountain at at the centre, heading up Cross Wynd which is opposite the church. Continue straight ahead as the ancient heart of Falkland is left behind and pass housing on the right. At the far end continue on the track, marked Private Road and Footpath to East Lomond, and keep right at the fork.

Stage 2

Soon some wooden steps lead up to the left; ascend these, passing the waterworks. At the next junction the path ahead is signed for East Lomond; ignore this and instead turn right, following a leafy track known as the Faulds Road through the beech woods. There are good views down to Falkland through the trees on the right. At a junction follow the track that bears slightly right, downhill. This descends to reach a minor road. Briefly turn left along here and then right onto the next track with a metal barrier.

Stage 3

After this crosses the Maspie Burn in the woods, turn left through a gap in the stone wall. Now follow the path upstream, ignoring the first wooden bridge on the left but soon crossing an old stone bridge and passing a small waterfall. Continue up the glen, crossing four more wooden footbridges.

Stage 4

Eventually a larger waterfall is reached; the cliff behind the fall is deeply undercut and the walk continues beneath this and passes behind the falls. On the far side it then climbs up to meet a bigger path at a t-junction.

Stage 5

Turn right here to begin the descent, now keeping above the Maspie Den - there are good views down in places. Ignore a path that joins in from the left, continuing downhill. Ignore a path off to the right and instead bear right onto the track just beyond. Follow this briefly before turning left onto a path just before the bridge over the burn (this is where you reached the Maspie earlier in the walk).

Stage 6

Ignore another stone bridge on the right and soon a stone-built tunnel is reached - it twists and turns but there should be enough light to get through! Beyond, the path passes under an ornate bridge and reaches the House of Falkland.

Stage 7

Continue ahead on the path, crossing the stone bridge and then bearing left at the fork to meet a tarmac road. Turn right along this and follow the private road as it leads back to Falkland, passing some fine old estate buildings.

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