Alva
Woodland Trust wood
Size:
79.29 ha (195.93 acres)
Grid reference:
NS898978
Map reference:
Explorer 366
OS Landranger 58
With a rich history, rare wildlife and a thriving mosaic of habitats, Wood Hill Wood is a fascinating site nestled on the steep slopes of the Ochil Hills.
Explore magical ancient woodland, open grassland, historic plantations and remnants of old silver mines along a winding network of pathways. The wood also offers sweeping vistas across the Firth of Forth and the Silver Burn.
Wood Hill Wood is located on the slopes of the Ochil Hills, between the villages of Alva and Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire.
The two southern entrances to the wood are adjacent to the Clackmannanshire Council car park at the Woodland Park, an adjoining woodland managed by the council. Follow the A91 to the eastern end of Alva, then take the minor road signposted 'Woodland Park'. The Woodhill Wood car park can be found 1km (0.6 miles) along this road. Access to the wood is located opposite the car park.
The eastern entrance can be reached by following the same road east for a further 250m (0.2 miles). This entrance can also be reached via a path that starts by Tillicoultry Golf Club and runs alongside the course for roughly 600m (0.4 miles).
The western entrance can be accessed via a kissing gate from the farm track leading up the Silver Glen. This route also provides access from the wood to Alva Glen and the Ochil Hills.
The nearest train station is Alloa, located approximately six kilometres (four miles) from the wood.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is Park Street in Tillicoultry, located roughly 1.6km (1 mile) away.
Visit Traveline for more information.
The site is extremely steep, particularly towards the eastern and western boundaries, where fast-flowing burns have carved narrow, steep glens. There are just over two kilometres of pathways, forming part of a larger circular path that also connects with routes to Alva Glen and the Ochil Hills.
While the lower paths are stone-surfaced forest tracks, the upper paths are steep and unsurfaced and can be slippery in wet weather.
There is free parking with space for approximately 30 cars at Woodhill Wood car park (FK12 5HU), an adjoining piece of woodland managed by Clackmannanshire Council.
There are no toilet facilities on site. The nearest public toilets with disabled access are at Speirs Centre in Alloa (FK10 1JJ).
As a long-established woodland, Wood Hill provides an important habitat for native wildlife, including rare and protected species. Keep an eye to the skies, as peregrine falcon have been spotted in the area, while nuthatch and woodpecker nest in the wood itself. At dawn or dusk, you might catch sight of roe deer, rabbit or even hare tearing across the open grasslands.
Look out for:
A diverse variety of trees can be found in the mature high forest, regenerated woods and open uplands, from broadleaved species such as ash and wild cherry, to native conifer Scots pine. In the warmer months, wildflowers typical of ancient woodland carpet the forest floor, including bluebell and dog’s mercury.
Thanks to the plentiful supply of fallen and standing deadwood, fungi are abundant in this woodland. Look out for weird and wonderful specimens, from the jelly ear fungus to the hoof fungus.
Look out for:
The vibrant mosaic of habitats in Wood Hill Wood include native broadleaf woodland, long-established plantation, open upland areas, grassland, moorland and deadwood. Remnants of historical mining activity add to the structural diversity of the wood.
Explore:
Planted in the middle of the 18th century, Wood Hill Wood is one of the oldest plantations in Scotland. Funding for the planting likely came from mining activity in the Silver Glen, a steep glen in the western reaches of the woodland, near the Ochil Fault.
Relics of this rich history remain today. While exploring the western part of Wood Hill Wood, look out for a number of old mine shafts and adits (tunnels which provided access to the underground mines). First opened just prior to the Jacobite Rebellion in 1714, the mines were an important part of the local economy until their closure in 1770. The ore mine produced exceptionally high quality silver, while other minerals such as cobalt and arsenic were sold to the West Pans Pottery in Prestonpans, where they were used to glaze fine porcelain.
The Woodland Trust acquired the site in 1990, with an extension in 1994. Since then, we have undertaken a number of management works, including rhododendron clearance, path construction, fence repairs and halo thinning of veteran trees.
The woodland is popular with dog walkers. Please note there is a dog waste bin and a general bin at the car park.
For those looking to explore further afield, the network of pathways at Wood Hill Wood connect to longer routes in the wider landscape.
Additionally, cyclists can take advantage of nearby national cycle routes 767 and 768.
Visiting woods
Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.
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