Kings’ Seat Circuit

This circular route makes use of the lesser used Kirk Glen path. Although steep this is an aesthetically pleasing and quiet route. The descent can be made using a wide ATV track type path. Alternatively, you can take the old right of way path from Blackford for the descent.

  • Distance: 9km / 5.6 miles
  • Ascent: 600m / 2000 feet
  • Terrain: Steep trodden hill paths in some places, easier ATV track in others.
  • Start / finish: Upper Mill Street, Tillicoultry, (grid ref NS 9144 9747).
  • Facilities: A few parking spaces at the start. More on street parking further down. Bus service to Tillicoultry. Choice of places for refreshments.

Route Map

King's Seat circuit - walk route map

Commence the walk from the top of Upper Mill Street in Tillicoultry. Follow the sign for Blackford heading east on a track. Ignore the stepped path to the left (with a core path arrow) and keep straight on through a gate. A grass path crosses sheep fields in a northeast(ish) direction. After approximately 1km the path reaches a pedestrian gate into woodland. At the path junction in the woods turn left onto a trodden path.

There are a couple of alternative routes to this path junction. From Fir Park a woodland path makes its way up beside the Kirk Burn past a waterfall. From Simpson Avenue a track leads up past the woods to a small reservoir. Before reaching the reservoir turn left (a small purple arrow marks the route) into the woods. Cross the burn to reach the path junction.

Take the trodden path north beside the burn. On reaching the edge of the woods the path heads up on to the open hillside. During the summer months, there is a lot of bracken in this area. Nevertheless, there is a reasonable path through it. This path is steep but it gains height quickly. As the bracken is left behind the path makes its way up the hill away from the glen.

The gradient eases, and the terrain is now tussocky grass typical of this part of the Ochils. When the path splits either option can be used. The path may be indistinct in places around here. Aim towards a wall and then to the hillock on the far side of the wall. From here it is easy to follow the trodden path to where it meets with a wider ATV track. Turn right onto this ATV track which is a popular route up King’s Seat.

After about 500m of uphill walking a cairn is reached. If you want to include Elistoun Hill this is a good point to leave the track. The route across to Elistoun Hill is on path-less tussocky grass. After Elistoun Hill return back to the ATV track.

From the cairn the track continues uphill for about 1km to reach a fence with a stile. Cross the stile and follow the track steeply up the hill in an easterly direction. There is just over 100m of further ascent needed to reach the summit cairn. The summit is slightly east of the cairn and is marked by a a few stones. For the best views though, continue southeast for a further 350m to the obvious large cairn.

Return to the stile. There are several paths leaving the summit so be careful to choose the right one. Cross the stile.

From here, the easiest descent is to take the ATV path that was used for the descent. The track can be followed downhill past the cairn and the Kirk Glen path. About 1.8km from the stile a path junction with an old gate (to nowhere) is reached.

To vary the descent, another possibility is to turn right after the stile on a trodden path. This path follows the fence-line before dropping downhill slightly to meet with an old right of way path. Turn left on to this path which is part of the Blackford to Tillicoultry drove route. The path sees less use now than in the past and some parts of it can be indistinct. The general direction is easy to follow through the glen above the Gannel Burn. There is an awkward wee step at one point where the path has become eroded. 2km down the glen, the Kingseat ATV track join the route at an old gate.

From the path junction at the gate continue on downhill. The views over Tillicoultry and out to the Forth open up as height is lost. The rough grass of the hillside is left behind and bracken once again starts to become predominant. Keep straight on when a large boulder is reached. The path to the right goes down into Tillicoultry/Mill Glen. The next landmark is an old wooden bench where the path splits. Either option can be used. On reaching the first of several modern plastic benches, steps help with the steep descent. The stepped path zig-zags down to a blue bench where it bears right then left into woodland. From here it is a straightforward walk down steps high above the burn. Pass through a pedestrian gate and follow more steps out of the woods. Go right onto the track back to the start point of the walk.