Dollar and the Japanese Garden
A hidden gem in the heart of Scotland
Nestled at the foot of the beautiful Ochil Hills that run between Stirling and Auchterarder, the pretty town of Dollar is well worth exploring.
Famed across the world for its leading independent school Dollar Academy, the beautiful architecture of the school’s Playfair building is reason enough to visit. Dollar’s claim to fame is that it is the oldest co-educational boarding and day school in the World after it’s benefactor, John McNabb gifted his entire estate to build the school for the poor children of Dollar in 1818.
The dramatically perched Castle Campbell sits at the top of Dollar Glen towering over the village. It can be reached by a steep walk up the beautiful lush and green Dollar Glen, with its bubbling waterfalls cascading down the Dollar Burn and Burn of Care, or from a car park further up the hill beyond the Castle.
Our stunning hidden gem is equally impressive and was the first Japanese garden in the world to be designed by a female Japanese garden designer at the beginning of the 20th century.
1.Castle Campbell
An imposing 15th-century fortress, the Castle was originally known as Castle Gloom with the Burn of Sorrow and the Burn of Care cascading down from the Ochil Hills on either side of the castle. In 1489, the castle became the stronghold of the powerful Campbell family and changed its name to Castle Campbell.
Steeped in history, Castle Campbell was attacked and partially destroyed by the forces of Oliver Cromwell during the Cromwellian occupation of Scotland.
The beautiful terraced gardens and tower remain and offer stunning viewpoints to the village below and along the Ochil hill ridge towards Stirling.
The Castle is open throughout the year with shorter visiting hours during the seasonal months of October to March.
I would highly recommend a walk up the glen or a less strenuous loop walk behind the castle which offers incredible view points.
2.The Ochil Hills
The Ochil hills offer a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the central belt and the most incredible ridge walk for mile upon mile above the hillfoot villages.
The highest point is Ben Cleuch which is 2,365 feet.
The ridge offers panoramic views as far as the Forth Road Bridges near Edinburgh, which you can see clearly on a fine day.
Whether you fancy a full day walking across the ridges, or just want to take a small hike and have a picnic beside one of many mountain burns, the Ochil hills offer a really lovely peaceful and accessible escape to nature.
The hills are home to a variety of plants and the lower slopes are often covered with woodland and heather, while the higher areas are more open, with grasses and mosses dominating the landscape.
Wildlife in the Ochils includes red deer, hares, and various birds of prey, such as buzzards and kestrels.
Top Tips when visiting Dollar
Top Tip 1: Wander up the Mill Green at the top of the Burn that runs perpendicular to the main street of the village of Dollar. Have a paddle in the burn or try your hand at guddling for salmon and trout around the rocks of the burn
Top Tip 2: Enjoy some good British pub grub at The Forager Gastro Pub on the High Street or cross the road to The Bridge Street Kitchen for delicious cakes!
Top Tip 3: Take a wander around the beautiful village of Dollar and marvel at the architecture of Dollar Academy which sits in the centre of the town and was designed by William Playfair who also designed the National Galleries of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinbugh. Dollar was founded by the Rev Andrew Mylne following a bequest by Captain John McNabb to educate the poor children of Dollar parish.
3. Our Hidden Gem – the Japanese Garden
Our hidden gem is well sign posted off the A91 that runs from Stirling to a Milnathort road and well worth a visit as a destination for half a day or if you are passing by.
Commissioned at the turn of the century by Scottish adventurer Ella Christie on her return from a trip to Japan, Ella chose a Japanese woman, Taki Handa, to create the 7 acre site in the grounds of Cowden Castle.
- The shrubs and trees in the garden are all planted to give the colour and general impression of a Japanese garden and you can wander through a myriad of paths through carefully chosen pines, spruces, maples and willows.
- There are several traditional Japanese-style bridges including an iconic red lacquered bridge that spans the pond. These bridges symbolize the transition between different elements of the garden and provide beautiful vantage points for viewing the 360 degree landscape.
- Japanese sculptures and ornaments are placed throughout the garden adding a sense of authenticity and cultural significance
- The paths and stepping stones guide you through this garden helping you find your zen in the peaceful meandering paths that twist and turn
- Scattered throughout the garden are stone lanterns, or tōrō, which are common in Japanese gardens. They add a sense of timelessness and are often placed in locations that highlight the garden’s feature
Getting to Dollar and Places to Stay
Sitting just 12 miles from the town of Stirling, there are several routes into Dollar.
From Stirling drive out of Stirling past the Wallace Monument and along the A91 towards St. Andrews.
Alternatively you can approach from the A9 Stirling to Inverness road, and cut through beautiful Glendevon.
Or from Edinburgh, cross over the Forth Road Bridge and drive north towards Kinross before cutting west at Kelty, passing near Knockhill Racing Circuit.
- Dollar Holiday Home and Lodge Park is a pretty little site 1/2 a mile from the village beside the River Devon. Primarily a longer term campsite for static holiday homes, there are some short term camping pitches available for motorhomes and campervans.
- Witches Craig Caravan and Camping Park is only 30 minutes from Dollar and is the perfect base to explore nearby Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle as well as the lovely old town of Dunblane or nearby Doune with its Outlander connected castle and distillery
- Alternatively, continue north east to the lovely East Neuk of Fife and visit St.Andrews and the pretty East Neuk fishing villages with lovely campsites at Crail and Elie