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The Devil's Pulpit and Finnich Glen

Milngavie

A short but famous stroll to a historical landmark

Hiking Moderate

Distance
607 m
Ascent
18 m
Descent
18 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
35 m
High Point
49 m
Gradient
The Devil's Pulpit and Finnich Glen Map

The Devil's Pulpit hike is located in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, Scotland. The hike itself is very short, with a distance of only about 0.2 miles from the car park down into the gorge. It's a moderate journey with a steep and slippery trail that takes around 30 minutes round-trip. Wear hiking shoes with excellent grip and don't forget a towel, whether it's for drying your feet after wading or full-blown swimming.

Description

The Devil's Pulpit offers some of the most stunning views of the Scottish countryside. Hikers can see the rolling hills, the River Finnich, and the surrounding forests, which makes the hike an excellent opportunity to take in the beauty of Scotland's natural landscape.

According to one legend, the Devil’s Pulpit takes its name from a time when the devil used the rock to preach to his disciples, while another says that it was used by druids and witches to perform magical spells and rituals. The Devil’s Pulpit refers to a particular rock outcrop of the Finnich Glen gorge, but the name is often used to describe the entire gorge. The myths surrounding the Devil's Pulpit add an element of mystery and intrigue to the hike, making the walk an even more memorable experience.

The gorge extends for approximately 1,500 feet in between undulating fields so the depth from top to bottom varies between 60 and 100 feet along its length. The Devil’s Pulpit was first used as a film location in 2011 for scenes in The Eagle starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, and Donald Sutherland.

Difficulty

Moderate

Hiking along trails with some uneven terrain and small hills. Small rocks and roots may be present.

Medium Exposure

2 out of 4

The trail contains some obstacles such as outcroppings and rock which could cause injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between April and October

Features

  • Historical
  • Picturesque
  • Dog friendly
  • Water features
  • Family friendly

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