After our second year exams, we had a couple off weeks off while we awaited our results and possible oral exam assignments. It was the perfect time to get out and do a bit of hiking, especially as Tiff has a car.

This was our first hike and was only four miles or so round trip. The trail runs from the town of Dollar in Clackmannanshire, up Dollar Glen, along the Burn of Sorrow, to Castle Campbell. The hike up was very lush and reminded me of home. Many of the wildflowers were blooming and the bluebells were just finishing up so there was still a blue ting to many of the fields.

Quite a bit of the trail was formed by boardwalks and bridges over the burn. Waterfalls were located all along the trail. It is interesting to note that both Tiff and I kept smelling garlic and it wasn't till I got home and was able to look it up that I found out a type of wild garlic (ransom) grows in the glen.

I had anticipated a ruined castle alone on the hills, but we found a well run Historic Scotland castle complete with cafe and gift shop. It was almost a surreal experience to hike up the glen and then have a bit of soup and wonder through gardens before the hike back down. I could get used to that. No more carrying my lunch on hikes!

Once we got above the castle the woods disappeared and the usual barren hills filled the skyline. The view was breathtaking with the castle standing a lonely sentinel far above the valley towns. What must it have been like to live there?

Thankfully we were only rained on a couple of times and it was warm enough that the rain was pleasant while hiking. We were even lucky enough to see a few sunbreaks while at the castle.