Secreted away on the route between Glasgow and Loch Lomond, you'll find one of Scotland's most magical and otherworldly locations.
Finnich Glen feels like it could have come straight from another world with its steep green walls and the blood-red water that flows through it. Even more unsettling is the strange rock that also gives the location the other name it is famous for - the Devil's Pulpit.
Notoriously hard to get to, this mysterious gorge is only accessed via slippery rocks (known as the Devil's Steps) that can make it inaccessible to some – meaning those who visit might want to go in a group and be well prepared ahead of time.
The ethereal Scottish glen was once something of a hidden gem but over the years has gained fame through appearing in season one of the hit show Outlander.
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Despite the fact it doesn't have its own visitor centre – or parking – and can be hard to find, Outlander fans still flock to see where the famous scene between Dougal MacKenzie (Graham McTavish) and Claire Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) at the Liar's Spring took place.
And this location fits perfectly with Outlander's fantasy setting with its hidden location and spooky history of druidic rituals and sheltering covenanters in their wars with the royalist troops.
History
Heading north from Glasgow, Finnich Glen is found on the country roads on the way to Drymen, deep in the heart of unassuming farm land.
Known to entrance all who visit it, the Glen's red waters are said to be caused by peaty water and the red sandstone that gives it it's base.
While the Devil's Pulpit i the name given to the mysterious circular-shaped rock which rises from the Carnock Burn which flows through the glen.
The area has been linked to the occult via witches – who were said to have listed to sermons from the Devil himself – and ancient religion via druids and pagan rituals.
The gorge has been chosen as a setting for everything from interactive plays to scenes from Detective Pikachu, Netlix film King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and TV show The Nest.
But it was its appearance in the hit TV show 'Outlander' that really propelled its tourism appeal.
Its towering walls of rock were the backdrop for the scene in season one in which character Dougal uses the 'truth-inducing waters' of 'St Ninian’s Spring’, also known as 'Liar’s Spring', to make sure he believed and trusted the time travelling Claire Randall.
Controversy
This surge in popularity has come at a cost though, with the recent controversy surrounding the beauty spot.
The rising number of visitors recently led to reviewers likening it to a ' glorified toilet' after people complained about the amount of rubbish that they discovered on their visits to the popular landmark.
Police have also been called to the site in recent months after a spike in cars parked dangerously at the side of the road, which eventually led to some parking bans being enforced.
Worse, there have been numerous reports of people injuring themselves, which then endangers the medical staff who must access the precarious site to help them.
Visitor Centre Plans
Detailed proposals were recently submitted to the local council for a 150-space car park plus visitor centre and restaurant, and a network of paths, bridges and viewing platforms.
The £2m plans were launched by farmer David Young, who owns the land in which the Devil’s Pulpit is situated. He took over the running of the farm there in the 1970s, with his father having owned the land since the 1940s.
Stirling councillors have reportedly approved the plans, with hopes that the transformation will help make the site safer and will also lead to better handling of the increased traffic and footfall from tourism.
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