Originally there were two villages. The village of Inverallan with its mill and the village of Pathfoot with its copper mine which closed in 1807.With the discovery of mineral springs at Bridge of Allan, people started coming to take the waters and it was developed by John Henderson into a fashionable Scottish Spa town.
The village grew rapidly when the railway came in 1848. Hotels, lodging houses, large private residences and villas sprang up to meet the demand.Charles Dickens stayed here in 1867 and the young Robert Louis Stevenson came here with his parents several times.
If you want to see some fine examples of Victorian architecture, it's worth spending time walking around up the hill in the exclusive area around Well Road, Kenilworth Road, Chalton Road and Abercromby Drive.
There are atmospheric, shaded tree lined footpaths in the Mid Wood which can be accessed from Henderson Street, Well Road or Kenilworth Road. There are plenty of places to walk to from the village, with easy access to the Darn Walk, the Mine Wood, the Glen Road, Sheriffmuir and many more.
You might be interested in visiting the Holy Trinity Church at the corner of Fountain Road and Keir Street. The church welcomes many visitors who come to see this beautiful church and the Chancel Furniture which was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Stirling University, which probably has the most beautiful campus in Britain, starts at Pathfoot at the far end of Bridge of Allan. Buses and trains run frequently to Bridge of Allan from Stirling.
