Communities of the Carse
The Carse of Stirling is home to many vibrant communities. From East to West, the larger ones include Buchlyvie, Port of Menteith, Arnprior, Thornhill, Kippen, Gargunnock, Deanston, Doune, and Cambusbarron.
Additionally, there are many smaller hamlets, including Dalmary, Braeval, Cobleland, Gartachoil, Dykehead, Blairhoyle, Ruskie, Blair Drummond, Nyadd, Shieldbrae and Chartershall. Some have changed little for centuries, other have recently been growing in size or changing in character. Below, the main villages are briefly described and links to their websites provided where available.
Thornhill
Amenities: Primary School, village store, pub, campsite.Thornhill is situated on a bluff to the North of the Carse. It was laid out in 1696, and merged with the neighbouring hamlet of Norrieston. The village has two Commons; the North Common, designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, is rich in biodiversity due to its mosaic of habitats.
Just South of the village are the Frews, a collection of farms, which are socially connected to the village. About 590 people live in Thornhill and its immediate surroundings.
Thornhill has an active community, featuring a biodiversity group, paths group, play group, mother and toddlers group, a drama club, a football club, and much more.
Kippen
Amenities: Primary School, shops, pubs, village hall, Reading Rooms, tennis club, community woodland. The Village of Kippen commands impressive views to the North over the Carse. The name KIPPEN probably comes from the Gaelic word for Place of the little stump or outcrop or block, as the village sits on an outcrop of the Gargunnock Hills. It has a rich history, featuring among other things a famous viyard and even a King.
Kippen is home to just over a thousand people. Highlight of the social callander is the Kippen Street Fayre.
Gargunnock
Amenities: A short walk around Kippen
Terrain: road, track and footpath. Distance: 1km (1100 yards). Ascent: 30 feet.Starting from Kippen Memorial Cross at the crossroads in the village, walk up the Main Street on the roadside pavement on the left for about 150 yards and take the turning on the left into Castlehill Loan. Follow this road as it curves round to the right, then turn left at the road junction and continue for about 150 yards.
At the signpost on the left, saying “Public Path – Burnside ¼”, turn left and follow the path alongside the burn. There are numerous routes off to the left, but ignore these and keep to the right. Eventually you emerge onto the road called Burnside. Turn left here and follow Burnside back to the Kippen Memorial Cross.