The contrast is almost surreal. In one minute you pass the houses and roads at the entrance to Fankerton and literally seconds later you enter an ancient and charming world.

Nature as therapy

I wasn't feeling very well that month, but walking through the glen seemed like an immediate remedy. The reserve is a stunning native oak and ash forest that hugs a steep gorge carved by the Carrón River.

Even at the end of winter, the scenery is spectacular. The river was born 10,000 years ago as a torrent of glacial meltwater; Today, it tumbles over waterfalls and deep, dark pools. Walking those uneven, muddy paths, feeling the humid air and hearing the water crashing into the gorge, really helped clear my head. It's a little tricky with the steep sections, but it was exactly what my body and mind needed.

A sanctuary of tranquility

What I like most about Carron Glen is how quiet it is. Unlike most famous tourist spots, it wasn't busy at all. It seemed like a private sanctuary for contemplation.

It's hard to believe that this quiet place once housed a bandstand on the south bank where musicians played in the summer. Today, the music is gone and nature has completely reclaimed the space. It's just you, the ancient trees and the local wildlife.

a little history

If you are a fan of local heritage, Carron Glen has a beautiful history:

• Founded: It became the Scottish Wildlife Trust's 100th reserve in 1996.
• The gift: The land was donated to the trust by Mr Forbes of Callendar Estate.
• Modern day: It remains a protected refuge, managed with a “hands-off” approach to let the natural forest evolve. Note: Recently, some roads west of the bridge have been closed due to a landslide, so always check the latest signs when you arrive!

What to look for (the reference guide)

While my February visit focused on the fresh air and rushing river, this place is a powerhouse of biodiversity. This is what makes it special all year round:

Feature	Details
bells	Ranked in the top ten places in Scotland to see them. They carpet the ground in late spring.
Wild Garlic	You'll smell it before you see it! A spicy plant with star flowers that is vital to the ecosystem.
balloon flower	A rare yellow beauty that looks like a double buttercup; He loves wet river banks.
Birds	Keep your eyes wide open to see the bright flash of a Kingfisher or the swing saucepans through the rocks.
red champion	These pink flowers are “indicators of ancient forests”; Seeing them means that the wood is very old.

The power of the Carrón River

What makes this particular ride even more fascinating is realizing how hard this river works for us. Since it's right on Denny, it's actually very close to a major renewable energy site:

• Carrongrove Hydroelectric: Right in Denny there is a hydroelectric power station that was completed in 2015. It was built on the site of a former paper mill. It uses the flow of the river to generate around 499kW of electricity, enough to supply a significant number of local homes.
• Fish-friendly technology: When they built the hydroelectric system, they also put in a “fish pass.” This is great because it actually helps salmon and trout come further up the Carrón River to spawn, supporting the kingfishers and blackbirds you were looking for!
• The Carron Valley plan: Further up the river (in the Carrón Valley Reservoir), there is another £3.4 million hydroelectric project that uses raw water flowing to treatment plants to generate green energy.

A long history of power

The river has been “working” for hundreds of years. Long before modern turbines, the Carrón River was the engine of the Industrial Revolution in this area:

• promoted the famous Carron Hardware Store (once the largest ironworks in Europe).
• He turned the wheels of multiple paper and wool mills in Danny and Dunipace.

It's pretty amazing to think that the same water you were staring at for a bit of “quiet contemplation” is also silently turning on the lights of the houses you saw at the entrance!

If you are feeling stressed or just need a break from the noise of daily life, I cannot recommend Carron Glen enough. It's just minutes from Denny and Dunipace (FK6 5HJ), and dogs are welcome (just keep them on a lead to protect ground-nesting birds!).

Pro Tip: Wear sturdy boots! The roads are rough and can be very muddy after the Scottish rain, but the views of the gorge are worth every bit of mud.

Fact from nature: Folklore says that if you pick up a bell, the fairies will trick you. It's best to leave them where they are and follow the path!