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The Japanese Garden at Cowden, Dollar

Companionship careClackmannanshire

Days out in Clackmannanshire for an older parent

Seven places in Clackmannanshire that make a good day out for an older parent, from The Japanese Garden at Cowden to Devon Way. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

The Japanese Garden at Cowden. Photo: Gordon Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0

Seven days out across six towns

The best places to take an older parent in Clackmannanshire

Six of them are free to visit or to walk around. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

The Japanese Garden at Cowden, Dollar

Photo: Gordon Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Dollar

The Japanese Garden at Cowden

The Japanese Garden at Cowden was laid out in the 1900s by Ella Christie after her travels in Japan and has been restored in recent years. Paths lead round a pond with bridges, stone lanterns, a tea house and planting that changes through the seasons.

The garden paths have been updated for wheelchair users, with level access from the entrance on a sloping gravel route, though manual wheelchair users may need a push on the slopes and some bridges have steps.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Dollar

Gartmorn Dam Country Park, Sauchie

Photo: Douglas Thomson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Sauchie

Gartmorn Dam Country Park

Gartmorn Dam is a reservoir built in the early 1700s to power pumps for local coal mines, now the centre of a country park and nature reserve between Alloa and Sauchie. A path runs round the water, and it is a good place to see wildfowl, especially in winter.

It is free and open all year, and a carer can plan a short out-and-back walk along the dam path from the car park and turn round whenever needed.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Sauchie

Ochil Hills Woodland Park, Alva

Photo: Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Alva

Ochil Hills Woodland Park

Ochil Hills Woodland Park sits at the foot of the Ochils on the edge of Alva, on the grounds of the old Alva House estate. Woodland paths lead up towards Alva Glen, with views over the Forth valley.

It is free with parking at the foot of the hills, so a carer can choose a short woodland stroll near the car park and leave the steeper glen paths for another day.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Alva

Dollar Glen, Dollar

Photo: Doug Lee, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Dollar

Dollar Glen

Dollar Glen is a wooded gorge in the Ochil Hills above Dollar, cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, with waterfalls and the ruins of Castle Campbell at the top. It is free to walk and open all year.

The woodland paths are strenuous and uneven and there are no toilets on site, so this suits a parent who is still steady on their feet, perhaps combined with tea in Dollar afterwards.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Dollar

Clackmannan Tower, Clackmannan

Photo: Euan Nelson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Clackmannan

Clackmannan Tower

Clackmannan Tower is a 14th century tower house on King's Seat Hill at the western edge of Clackmannan, once home to the Bruce family. It can be seen from the outside, and the old town below has its tolbooth, mercat cross and the Stone of Mannan.

The tower can be seen from outside only, so a carer can combine a short look at it with a gentle walk round the small town centre below.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Clackmannan

Delph Pond, Tullibody

Photo: Scott Cormie, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Tullibody

Delph Pond

Delph Pond is a small pond with surrounding green space between Delph Wynd, Alloa Road and Delph Road in Tullibody. The paths around it have been upgraded over the years and it is a quiet spot to watch ducks and swans.

It is small and close to the village, so a carer can plan a short circuit of the pond with little walking.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Tullibody

Devon Way, Tillicoultry

Photo: Rob Burke, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Tillicoultry

Devon Way

The Devon Way is a walking and cycling path along the line of the old Devon Valley Railway between Tillicoultry and Dollar, part of National Cycle Network route 767. It follows the River Devon at the foot of the Ochil Hills with views up to the hills.

Because it follows an old railway line, a carer can plan a short out-and-back stretch from either town and turn round whenever the parent tires.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Tillicoultry

Regular groups and events in Clackmannanshire

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Clackmannanshire.

  • Gardening · TullibodyTullibody Community GardenA large community garden in the middle of Tullibody where volunteers grow fruit and vegetables, with open days and a produce stall at harvest time. A carer could bring someone along on a growing day for light sowing or potting, or simply to sit among the beds and talk plants.Details
  • Music · AlloaClackmannanshire Choral SocietyA long running local choir of around thirty to fifty singers that rehearses weekly and gives public concerts in spring and at Christmas. A carer could provide transport to a rehearsal or concert and stay for the evening, which makes attending possible for someone who no longer drives.Details
  • Fishing · DollarDevon Angling Association water on the River DevonThe association controls brown trout, sea trout and salmon fishing on the River Devon in Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire, with adult and concession permits sold each season. A carer can sort the permit, carry the gear and drive to an easier bank access point for a short session.Details
  • Sports · AlloaAlloa Athletic Walking Football ClubA walking football set-up attached to Alloa Athletic, running since 2017, with squads including players in their seventies who compete in tournaments. A carer can handle lifts and kit and watch from the side, which makes a weekly game realistic.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Clackmannanshire

At a glance

The seven places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
The Japanese Garden at CowdenDollaran hour or twoPaid entryPartlyAskAsk
Gartmorn Dam Country ParkSauchiean hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Ochil Hills Woodland ParkAlvaan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Dollar GlenDollaran hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Clackmannan TowerClackmannanan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Delph PondTullibodyan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Devon WayTillicoultryan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Clackmannanshire

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

AlloaMenstrieTillicoultryAlva1234567
  1. 1The Japanese Garden at Cowden, Dollar
  2. 2Gartmorn Dam Country Park, Sauchie
  3. 3Ochil Hills Woodland Park, Alva
  4. 4Dollar Glen, Dollar
  5. 5Clackmannan Tower, Clackmannan
  6. 6Delph Pond, Tullibody
  7. 7Devon Way, Tillicoultry

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Clackmannanshire

Carers in Clackmannanshire charge £19 to £20 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Clackmannanshire has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Clackmannanshire

The Japanese Garden at Cowden in Dollar, Gartmorn Dam Country Park in Sauchie, Ochil Hills Woodland Park in Alva, Dollar Glen in Dollar, Clackmannan Tower in Clackmannan, Delph Pond in Tullibody and Devon Way in Tillicoultry. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

Gartmorn Dam Country Park, Ochil Hills Woodland Park, Dollar Glen, Clackmannan Tower, Delph Pond and Devon Way. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 23 of the carers with a rate near Clackmannanshire drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Clackmannanshire shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Clackmannanshire

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Clackmannanshire

Days out in the areas around Clackmannanshire

Companionship care by town in Clackmannanshire

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Clackmannanshire

See carers near Clackmannanshire who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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