Along the Stockiemuir Road, at the junction with the B834 towards Killearn, you will find the small car park for Finnich Glen & The Devil’s Pulpit. As the car park is small, we would recommend trying to visit on a weekday or early morning / late afternoon. There is also a layby opposite the entrance with rooms for about three cars.
This dramatic deep gorge, made famous after being used as “Liar’s Spring” in an early episode of Outlander, is just a short walk from the car park. As it’s close to the Whangie in the Kilpatrick hills, a visit is easily combined with this hike and makes for a great day out. The Whangie (otherwise known as the Queen’s View) car park is just a couple of miles before Finnich Glen.
To find the path to the Devil’s Pulpit, very carefully walk back along the roadside from the car park for a couple of hundred metres (towards the Whangie) and look for one of two possible entrances – there is a gate or, if it is locked, you can look for the break in the wall after the road crosses the Carnock Burn. You will see a visitor sign as soon as you go over the wall.
The gorge is accessed by following the path for a short way (around 300 metres) before descending the “Devil’s Staircase” which was somewhat hair-raising (the photo doesn’t do it justice). Fortunately, there are some climbing ropes to help you down, however great care is still needed and the stairs can be very slippery, especially when wet. The staircase was apparently built around 1860 (!) so no wonder it is in a state of disrepair!
Access may become easier and safer in the future if the planning application that includes a 150-space car park, visitor centre and network of paths, bridges and viewing platforms is accepted.
At the bottom of the gorge, beside the “Devil’s Pulpit”, an early episode of Outlander was filmed (“Liar’s Spring” in season one). Since then word got out and it has become very busy with tourists, so you will be lucky to get it to yourselves, so time your visit well!
The gorge has been carved out by the Carnock Burn and is popular for gorge walking. The red sandstone of the gorge is what gives the water it’s red colour. Head upstream (left from the bottom of the steps) to see the Pulpit close-up and the pretty waterfalls just behind it.
The Devil’s Pulpit is a circular rock said to be similar to a pulpit in a church and where one of many legends has it that the Devil used to preach from. The rock is behind Paul in the photo below.
It’s worth taking water shoes and wearing shorts (or at least be able to roll your trousers up) as the water can get quite deep in places, and goes over the top of our welly boots. Some people access the burn further along and do a gorge walk towards the Pulpit, but be aware if you do this you will get very wet!
We haven’t done this and therefore cannot recommend where to start or how safe it is. During our last visit, we did meet a family (father and three kids) who did this, but it’s probably something best done accompanied by a professional. Here is a link to a couple of companies we found on the web who do gorge walks to the Devil’s Pulpit:-
http://www.outdoorpursuitsscotland.co.uk/services/canyoning-and-gorge-walking/
https://www.activityscotland.com/our-activities/on-water/canyoning-scotland.html
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