GC1FEB2 Along the Allan Water - Ashfield Mill (Traditional Cache) in Northern Scotland, United Kingdom created by Scottiedogz

This cache has been archived.

Scottiedogz: Have been doing some maintenance on our caches. Think this hard Winter has got the better of this cache, so archiving it and hopefully replace with a cache on the Auchinlay Rd in a less exposed spot.

GC1FEB2 ▼

A cache by Scottiedogz Message this owner

Hidden : 8/20/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

This cache is one of a series of caches which can be done as part of a circular walk from Dunblane to Kinbuck along the upper Allan Water. It is possible to mountain bike most of this route; excepting a short walk to this cache. The whole walk is described at Kinbuck Bridge

The cache is located on the West bank of the river - the opposite side from Ashfield. There is parking on the Auchinlay Road. Please park here and not in Ashfield. There is no need to cross the river to find the cache.

The other caches on the walk are Along the Allan Water - Bridge over Allan Water

Along the Allan Water - Lady's Mount This cache involves a short detour from the river walk. Leave the path at N56 12.324 W003 57.720 where the path goes under the railway line.

Along the Allan Water - Craigton

Along the Allan Water - Kinbuck Bridge

Along the Allan Water - Auchinlay

The Faery Bridge to The Secret Garden by Peigimccann

Alternatively this cache can be done on its own. Park on the Auchinlay Road N 56 12.683 W 003 57.944 at the corner next to the stile (this is the road from Dunblane that goes past the Auchinlay cache to Kinbuck Bridge cache) There is a signposted footpath running diagonally across the field to the Allan Water. You will see the Mill from the parking spot and pass it on the opposite bank as you head towards the cache location.

Water is abstracted from the river from an impressive dam upstream.

During the early 19th Century there were at least seven mills established along the Allan Water tapping the power of the river to produce meal, linen and woollen goods. Ashfield village and it’s printing mill were established in 1866, as a complementary factory to the Keirfield printing works in Bridge of Allan. The substantial mill building and associated weir can be seen beside the river to the west of the village. The property was built by J & J Pullar and Co. The Pullars also built the houses for their workers at the Mill, a manufacturing, bleaching and dyeing business. The Pullars constructed a town square, stables, cowsheds and agricultural buildings. In the 19th Century up to 200 people were employed at the Ashfield Mill creating a real and distinctive community in the village.
Nothing much changed in the village until WWII when the factory closed and the print works and village were taken over by the British Silk Dyeing Company. Though there was still a distinct community Ashfield lacked many of the features of villages at that time. There was no school, church or shop and the villagers had to rely on the local farms for food.
After textile operations were closed down the village was sold to a local builder in 1976 who restored most of the houses.
Hydroelectric development began at the Ashfield Mill site in 1925 however, due to industrial decline, the powerhouse was abandoned in the 1970's. Reinstatement of hydropower production began in 1991 with the installation of a refurbished turbine and generator. The electricity produced is used in the residence of the mill’s owner for heating purposes and also for space heating in the powerhouse and in nearby factory and greenhouse units.

The Allan Water is a popular fishing river and canoeists set off from Ashfield for the white water in spate conditions so they may be seen here.

Please close gates and keep dogs on lead due to livestock in fields.

GPS coverage is a bit sketchy at the cache due to the trees. You can get a good signal on the approach and the clue should help.

This walk is suitable for children but they should be supervised near the river and cache site as the river banks are steep and slippery in wet weather.

You leave the path just before you reach a wooden bridge. Don't climb the wall on your right as this is the adjacent house's garden. * Congratulations to Pooter for FTF & to robert burns for being FTF in the new location *