The tower house, built in the mid 15th century by Colin Campbell the first Earl of Argyll, is the oldest part of the castle surviving. James IV, by Act of Parliament in 1489-90, granted him permission to change the name of the castle to Castle Campbell.

The miles of drystane dykes on the Ochils that delineate marches or boundaries and afford shelter for sheep and lambs as well as walkers are a lasting memorial to the men who built them. In 1892 George and William Shand were contracted to repair the many miles of drystane dykes between the Glenquey and Glendevon estates. For the two summers it took them to complete the work, they made their temporary home in a wooden hut that had to be taken up by horse-drawn cart to the small quarry below the summit at the top of the hill called Innerdownie. The right-angled shelter which provided a windbreak for their little hut is a beautiful example of the skill of drystane dyking. The work was measured and paid for in chains - one chain being 22 yards/20m - and the rate of pay was a little over 1s 6d/7½p per yard/0.9m!

This route includes a 15th Century castle, an old drove route through Glenquey between Glendevon and Dollar, part of a popular ridge walk that takes in some of the high tops of the Ochils and a descent through a tranquil glen following the tumbling waters of the Burn of Sorrow.

Cross the road at the pedestrian (zebra) crossing and walk north following the Dollar Burn as far as the narrow bridge in front of the museum from where cars use the narrow road to the right up to the small car park at the castle. The walking route to Castle Campbell is signposted through a gap in the wall and follows a track up through the steep sided, wooded gorge to the castle. It is interspersed with sturdy wooden walkways and the occasional vantage point.

From the castle follow the narrow road uphill, cross the bridge beside the ford then left past the cottage. At the gate into the forest there is the alternative of crossing it and going up the forest track or outside to the left. As the forest track is, more often than not, very wet and muddy it may be better to follow the route around the outside. However, if taking the route through the forest, follow the path that leads directly ahead at a wide crossroads a short way past the gate and exit higher up.

Follow the track past the Maiden's Well at grid reference NN970014, on record as early as the mid-1800s alleging that the spirit of a young woman that lived in it could be encouraged forth by night. Potential suitors, brave or daft enough to visit were found dead in the morning.In the early 1900s however, a researcher decided that it most likely gained its name from a maiden held prisoner in the castle and who was allowed to walk to the well to drink the waters.

This track follows the line of the old drove road through to Glenquey Reservoir and Glenquey Farm. Just before the high gate leading through to the farm, beside the walled sheep fold, turn left and follow a wide track up the grassy hillside through where the Woodland Trust have established a new forest of deciduous trees. Where this track bears sharp left, go right, to the low wall and continue on the grassy track all the way up the rise to the boundary wall and the fence surrounding the well-established Forestry Commission conifer plantation.

Turn left and follow the wide track in a south-westerly direction alongside Glenquey's Great Wall - the march dyke between the estates of Glenquey and Glendevon - on an easy ascent to the cairned top of Innerdownie. On top of the dyke are the remains of a two-wire fence with iron supporting standards set into stones. The drilling was laboriously accomplished with a hammer and a tool known as a "jumper" which was thumped and turned on the stone until the hole was deep enough to bed the standard in sulphur and coal tar.

A short distance after the summit, at Grid Ref: NN958022, pass through a gate in the high deer fence then begin the gentle ascent to a junction of fence-lines to the north of the summit of White Wisp Hill at the County Boundary Line. Tracks on either side of the fence and wall lead over the summit of Tarmangie Hill and down to another fence crossing.

Just before this, on the south side of the fence that crosses Skythorn Hill, there is a feint, narrow path bearing off left, southwards over the Maddy Moss into a hollow and the start of one of the many header streams that eventually make up the Burn of Sorrow. Once located, turn left again to head down eastwards on a good track to where the stream converges with another down waterfalls into a pool at Grid Ref: NN933008. The path from here down the steep-sided Glen of Sorrow is obvious as it takes an easy descent angle beside the gently tumbling waters of the Burn of Sorrow. The path alternates through varying terrain, crossing the burn on occasion, negotiating some exposed edges that call for a little extra care, before eventually emerging at the Castle Campbell car park. Follow the inward route back to the start from here.

WALK FACTS

Distance: 12½ miles/20km.

Maps: OS Landranger 1:50,000 Sheet 58 or OS Explorer 1:25,000 Sheet 366.

Start: Grid Ref: NN963979. There is a small car park on the south side of the main road through Dollar, opposite the clock tower, beside the public conveniences.

Grading: This is quite a strenuous, circular walk requiring good navigation skills and should be undertaken with care in poor visibility. The Ochil tops offer very little in the way of shelter from the elements, therefore full protective clothing, a map and a compass and the ability to use both are essential at any time of the year.

Some parts of the route are extremely wet and/or rough underfoot so stout footwear with good ankle support should be worn. It is good day-walk for any fit, competent walkers. The route is grazed by sheep so ensure dogs are controlled!