If you like waterfalls, Alva Glen in the Ochil Hills, is the place to go! By 1830, nine textile mills used the fast flowing water of the Alva Burn to drive their machines. Dams and lades were built to ensure that there was enough water throughout the year. Higher up there are many natural waterfalls, and also the dramatic Smuggler`s Cave, which is, in fact, a very narrow gorge in the glen.
ILLUMINATIONS: Alva Glen was first illuminated in 1937 to celebrate the coronation of George VI. Organised by the town council and using roman candles and 600 fairy lights, the event must have been a great success, since it was repeated in subsequent years.
In fact, the fame of the illuminations, which were accompanied by music and entertainment, spread so widely that buses and coaches were employed to bring people on excursions from distant towns and villages - even as far away as Glasgow! It's said that on the most popular nights up to 200 buses were parked in Alva.
The Second World War brought a temporary end to these pleasures, but they restarted soon after, attracting even greater numbers. Amazingly, it appears that a total of 96,360 people visited the 1951 illuminations which, at this point, extended over a four-week period and included fireworks.
As time went on the event became a victim of its own success, and the huge numbers attending began to cause consternation amongst a number of Alva's residents who became irritated by the noise, parking problems and the behaviour of some visitors. Sadly, in 1953 the decision was taken to discontinue the illuminations, to the disappointment of many.
However the illuminations have been revived on a much smaller scale in recent years, but only on one night a year.
29 ноя 2012
