Bridge of Allan, the Victorian spa town near Stirling

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Bridge of Allan, the Spa Town with a strong Robert Louis Stevenson connection.
This page is sponsored by the Bridge of Allan Merchant’s Association www.bridgeofallan.org

Follow the broken white line to take on a short trail (allow 45 to 90 minutes) covering the town’s early history, and the places that influenced Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde amongst many others.

Bridge of Allan’s early history.
The Bridge of Allan Copper Mines were worked in the early 16C with the copper being used in the mint at Stirling to produce the first coinage of bawbees for the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543. In the 18C a Welsh mining contractor sank two more shafts into the mineral veins and a further shaft to drain the inflow of spring water from the mine. This mineralised water was collected in a wooden trough. Soon large numbers of people came to "take the waters" due to its alleged healing powers.

In 1820 samples of the water were analysed and shown to be rich in dissolved minerals. This led to the development of the Spa.

Bridge of Allan Brewery. Visit this fascinating micro-brewery and watch the brewer producing their cask ales and bottle beers, traditionally crafted real ales using 100% natural ingredients. Free brewery tour and tastings. Superb presentation packs of their beers, named after famous battles and Scottish landmarks, available in the Brewery Shop. Open 7 days 12noon to 5pm. Free car park. www.bridgeofallan.co.uk Behind the Queen’s Hotel in Bridge of Allan’s main street. Tel:01786 834555

Start the trail at 1 on the map below.

1. In the 1830s it was said that Bridge of Allan consisted of old-fashioned mill and kiln, a wayside inn, a smithy and a few hovel-looking huts around a narrow humped-backed bridge. Due to success of the Spa, by 1868 there were over 100 lodging houses. The weir and mill lade can still be seen under the present day bridge.

2. Walk up the steps from the bridge along the path above the present road. This path was the original road through Bridge of Allan, running away from the swamp that once existed on the route of today's road. On this path you will find a Tollbar stone. Once used to control access to the bridge, it was situated at the south end of the bridge. Tollbars were abolished in 1883.

3. If you continue along this path, the original road through Bridge of Allan, and look to the left side approximately 10m before the path joins Well Road you will find a coffin rest (a large flat stone surface), where parties rested the coffin to take a break prior to burying it in the Kirkyard.

4. The Spa's first bath house was built in 1829. Some 1,000 gallons of excellent mineral water flowed into the Spa's Well House each day. The taking of mineral waters was said to cure rheumatism, gout and biliousness while bathing was good for skin complaints. At the Spa's peak of popularity it was said that some 500 people a day would drink the waters.

Bridge of Allan's Spa Pump Room and Well House can be visited today, where you can have a drink or meal in the special atmosphere of the old Spa building at Campbell's Chambo. (See Eating Out).

5. The Provost's (Mayor's) Lamp is now permanently located at the Cross, the hub of Victorian Bridge of Allan. The lamp would in days past have been erected outside the house of Bridge of Allan's Provost.

6. The Queen’s Hotel in Henderson Street. In 1854 some 30,000 visitors a year were accommodated in Bridge of Allan. Robert Louis Stevenson and his mother were frequent visitors to Bridge of Allan to take in 'the waters', both suffering bouts of illness, a weakness of the chest. The two year old Robert Louis Stevenson first came to Bridge of Allan in 1853 & stayed for 5 weeks. He was a frequent visitor often staying at the Queen's Hotel while finding lodgings to rent in the town. He was later to write: "I shall never forget some of the days at Bridge of Allan. They were one golden dream".

7. The Paterson Clock. Robert Louis Stevenson had to frequently visit the local doctor, Alexander Paterson who was also a distinguished botanist and horticulturist with an international reputation growing tropical plants, tree ferns and orchids in his garden. He may well have planted the seeds for 'Treasure Island' in Robert Louis Stevenson's young imagination. He became the 'father-figure to the entire neighbourhood' with the Paterson Clock standing as a memorial to him in the town.

8. Charles Rennie Macintosh. The famous Scottish Architect in 1904 designed the splendid chancel suite of furniture in the Holy Trinity Church in Bridge of Allan. The church is open to visitors from June to Sept on Saturdays 10.00 am to 4.00pm. 01786 834155 for information.

9. The Fountain of Nineveh was erected in the 1850's by Major John Henderson who drew up the plans for the layout of Bridge of Allan as we see it today. The fountain was erected in honour of Sir Austin Layard who at the time had made important discoveries in Nineveh in Mesopotamia.

10. Robert Louis Stevenson was also a frequent visitor to Farie's the Chemist, still in business today as ‘Strathallan Pharmacy’. A visit with the chemist proved to be a traumatic experience for young Robert Louis, writing in 1880 that he was " a …..terror to me by day and haunted my dreams by night…." Gilbert Farie was hated and feared by Robert Louis Stevenson who said he always used ' a child's friendliness' towards Farie whenever Farie deigned to notice him. It is probable that Edward Hyde in Robert Louis Stevenson's "Jekyll and Hyde" is based on Farie.

A walk to Stevenson's cave, inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Today it is known as the 'Darn Walk'. Outdoor footwear is recommended particularly if it has been wet; allow 60 to 120 minutes. You will find the path off Blairforkie Drive signed 'Allan Walk' - follow this route.

It is probable that the young Robert Louis Stevenson first visited the cave beside the Allan Water in 1859 when he was nine years old. The cave is an old adit or horizontal tunnel for the copper mine. He was to write "I went for my favourite walk by the riverside among the pines and ash trees. There is a little cavern here,….which has been a part of me anytime these last 12 years or more." It is probably this cave that he transformed in 'Treasure Island' to become Ben Gunn's cave.

Bridge of Allan / Castles and churches / Dunblane / Historic attraction / Visitor attractions