Bracklinn Falls Bridge and Callander Crags in the Trossachs

The Alva Glen & Smuggler's Cave

bo`ness witchess

Hold the stone in your right hand and concentrate on your wish. Walk deosil (clockwise) around the well/cauldron, three times while saying the following: 
“I circle thrice and it’s begun,
 I make this wish, 
Of Moon and Sun. 
With harm to none, 
And good to all, 
this spell is done. 
So mote it be!”

Bo'ness Witches
Janet Conochie, spouse of Bo'ness cooper James Bruckley was found guilty of witchcraft and along with two other witches burnt at the stake at Corbiehall.

During 1648 a Commission of Gentlemen from the Parish of Carriden found six women guilty of witchcraft. All were found guilty and duly executed.

The following year Isobel Wilson is charged with practising witchcraft

but surprisingly in this case the Carriden Parish Council found the accusation to be false.

On Tuesday the 23^rd December 1679 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. John Craw, Annable Thomsone, Margaret Hamilton, Margaret Pringle, Bessie Vicar and another Margaret Hamilton were taken from the Tollbooth in South Street to the flat glebe land at the west end of Corbiehall wirried at the steak till dead and thereafter have their bodies burnt.

In 1704 Anna Wood was accused by Robert Nimmo to have been one of a group of six witches that chased him when he was walking home from Linlithgow to Carriden shore. He could however only identify Anna Wood and claimed to have witnessed her changing from a cat to human form and from a bird to human form. Anna was found guilty by Carriden Kirk Session, but fearing for her life fled before hearing the verdict, and was never seen in Bo'ness again: at least not in human form!

It is said that the Bo'ness Witches were burnt at the east end of Pan Braes near the then shoreline. There was for many years a large circular piece of ground where grass didn't grow legend to be the spot. This would probably be near where 101 Corbiehall now stands.

Carriden seams to have had its own site of execution, rumoured to be where the "Witches Stone" is situated today; about 200 meters south-west of where the original Carriden Church was. Children still run round this stone three times before making a wish.

http://www.bo-ness.org.uk/html/history/witches.htm

The Centre for Stewardship, Falkland, Fife

The Centre for Stewardship covers 1500 hectares of land, farm, forest and hill.

The Centre for Stewardship is located on the outskirts of the beautiful conservation village of Falkland, Fife, Scotland. As well as caring for the A listed House of Falkland with its arts and craft interiors and historic landscape, we are now developing Falkland Estate as a place where people are learning how to live and work more sustainably. Our interests span from the value of re-skilling our communities to the impact of today’s decisions on climate change for future generations.

The Scottish Deer Centre, Cuper

The Scottish Deer Centre is set in the Fife countryside and covers over 55 acres. Our collection includes 14 species of Deer from around the world, Fife's only Wolf pack, Otters and other rare Scottish species including the Wildcat. We also host Raptor World Bird of Prey centre! 

Spend a day at the SDC looking at our many species with Play areas inside and out for the children, Ranger tours and daily Bird of Prey shows.

Muiravonside Country Park near Grangemouth and river Avon

 Muiravonside Country Park is two miles south of Grangemouth and covers 170 acres of woodland and parkland.

An old country estate formerly owned by the Stirling family of Falkirk, the Park is free to access and open all-year round. There’s a lot to do with nature trails, picnic sites, play area available throughout the Park.

Visitors can follow the River Avon Heritage Trail around the Park past the historic Avon Aqueduct and see the relics of bygone industry and farming. We can also give advice and assistance to schools and groups regarding conservation planning and design.

The Park offers panoramic views, a spectacular river gorge and several relics of industrial archaeology, linked by a network of paths through a diverse ground flora. Over 90 species of bird have been recorded.

The Countryside Ranger Service was established in 1980 to maintain, manage the woodland, its walks and provide a point of contact for information. Its other role, education, will try and steer you to experience Muiravonside and nature at its best.