This is one of a series of four caches on Gillies Hill. Although each cache can be completed separately there are numbers within each cache which when added together will give the co-ordinates to a fifth hidden cache on the Hill.
Please note that this is no longer the case as the final cache has been muggled too many times and is now a stand alone traditional placed in a new location. It is called Polmaise Castle.
Park beside the Bannock Burn at N 56º05.618 W 003º 58.637
Walk up the road to the corner and turn left along the quarry road past old limekilns on the right. The Craigend limekilns operated from 1780 until 1840. The workings in this area appear to be the earliest large scale operation in the vicinity, although there are smaller limekilns further up the burn at Swallowshaugh.
Continue on this path until the road forks and follow the wooden signpost to Cambusbarron. The Land Reform ( Scotland ) Act 2003 allows members of the public legal rights of access to these areas for recreational purposes.
At one time Gillies Hill was a natural, unspoilt and beautiful part of the village of Cambusbarron with many idyllic features and views. However, due to many years of past quarrying activities parts of it have been decimated.
Murrayshill Quarry covers a vast area and extraction has left a large water filled sump. The quarry ceased operating in 1998 but there is a Ready Mix Cement Company manufacturing within the site.
The quarry path network skirts the west side of three major local quarries, as well as passing close to the remains of three sites of ancient lime workings.
The Big Sycamores are very old and impressive trees, one of which has a hollow trunk but is still alive and growing. The wall you see near the sycamores is the entrance gate to Murrayshall, the drive of which was lined with these venerable trees at one time.
Please don't bypass these trees.
Go down and give then a hug.
They will like this.
This has inadvertantly turned into another series covering specimen trees in and around Stirling.
If you are interested in communing with Nature, learning about trees, or just bagging a cache give them a visit.
The others in the series are –
This one The Big Sycamores GC1EDN4
The Sequiadendron giganteum of Gillies Hill GC1H74Q
Sylvester, the Scots Pine GC1EDNP
The Sequiadendron giganteum of Beechwood. The juveniles. GC1H65Z
The Cedar of Lebanon GC1H94V
The Perfect Tree GC1FC71
The Pedunculate Oak of Touch GC1H9XD
and Sequoia sempervirens. GC1HDY4