Bearsden Walks

Kippen - Hole of Sneith

Photographs of the Boquhan Burn and its surroundings

including Dugald's Tower and the Hole of Sneith

to the south of the village of Kippen

Main Street in Kippen Village

Kippen is a small village approximately 10 miles ( 16km ) to the west of Stirling.

It lies between the Gargunnock Hills and Fintry Hills to the South

and the Strath of the River Forth to the North.

Playing fields at Kippen

Fintry Hills on route to Boquhan Burn

Ochil Hills on route to Boquhan Burn

Ruined Cottage on route to Boquhan Burn

Trees lining tributary of Boquhan Burn

Dugald's 'Tower' above a tributary of Boquhan Burn

Dugald's 'Tower' is a natural feature,

according to local legend, this was the site of a 17th century Conventicle

and the hiding place of a Covenanter named Dugald.

Waterfall on tributary of Boquhan Burn

beside Dugald's 'Tower'

Rock Buttress above tributary of Boquhan Burn beside Dugald's 'Tower'

Route from Dugald's 'Tower' to the Hole of Sneith

Head of Waterfall on Boquhan Burn

above the Hole of Sneith

Boquhan Burn

in the deep abyss of the Hole of Sneith

Waterfalls on Boquhan Burn

in the Hole of Sneith

Waterfalls in the Hole of Sneith

Waterfall on Boquhan Burn

in the Hole of Sneith

The Hole of Sneith is an astonishing natural cavern on the Boquan Burn, situated to the south of Kippen ( NS6551793084 ). The sides of the cavern are around 20ft to 40ft high with a 20ft waterfall.

It’s the same type of geology as Finnich Glen, near Killearn but much harder to reach.

It’s one of a series of astonishing natural forms in the area.

Others include the rock pinnacle of Dugald’s Tower and the Whale’s Belly, a deep narrow gorge. All caused by millennia of water erosion on soft rock.

From Kippen, it’s a 20-30 minute walk in from the north.

These hidden, almost inaccessible locations, were used during the late 17th century for outdoor worship or Conventicles, which had been banned by the state and were frequently broken up by soldiers.

Famously, the minister at Kippen, James Ure preached and hid here when he was a wanted man.

The authorities described him as a terrorist - he had led 200 armed volunteers to the Battle of Bothwell Brig. A reward of £100 was offered for his capture but no one betrayed him.