From Cardross
Bridge over the River Forth, look west. The Carse of Stirling
continues, and once so did the sea.
The land had sunk from the weight of ice from the glaciers. As this
ice melted the sea levels rose. The sea rose faster than the land
flooding the Carse of Stirling.
It followed the valley as far west as Aberfoyle. After the last
glaciers, sea levels were so high that only a 20km ‘land
bridge’ linked the north and south of Scotland.
Although there are no access arrangements Cardoss House is an
ancient site which may have had gardens and a designed landscape
from as early as the 15th century. Today's attractive early to
mid-19th parkland is of importance scenically and for nature
conservation. The architectural features and potential archaeology
are also very significant.
Parts of the house date back to the 15th century, and there is
likely to have been an associated garden. The present landscape
probably dates back to the 17th century, and many of the trees are
early to mid-18th century. The other main phase of development is
the 19th century arboretum area and walled garden.