Scotland’s ‘Grand Canyon’ is up for sale – and could become a major tourist attraction

Okay, first up we’ll have to admit that any comparisons between Scotland’s Finnich Glen and the US’s Grand Canyon miiight involve a little hyperbole. The Grand Canyon is over a mile deep at its lowest point, inspiring visitors with dizzying vertigo and a profound sense of awe at the ancient tectonic forces that carved its epic landscape. Finnich Glen’s gorge is 24 metres deep – a distance that’s more likely to make tourists think ‘hrrmm, that stone staircase looks a bit steep, maybe I’ll crack out an oatcake halfway down.’

Still, the news that Finnich Glen has gone on the market will be seriously exciting for any wealthy entrepreneurs seeking to bring new audiences flocking to this unique natural landscape.

The secluded spot comprises 23 acres of wild, dramatic countryside, carved out by glacial meltwaters 10-20,000 years ago. It includes striking features including treacherous Victorian staircase The Devil’s Steps, and atmospheric river gorge The Devil’s Pulpit, which share an eerie atmosphere that has given rise to centuries of folk tales and myths. These romantic rocks have also been sought out by location scouts for historical dramas including Outlander – where it featured as St Ninian’s Spring – and 2017 Guy Ritchie movie King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.

Finnich Glen is just a 30-minute drive north of Glasgow by car, making it ideally located for tourism. But although it’s one of Stirlingshire’s bigger attractions, currently, it only gets 70,000 visitors a year. All that could change in new hands, especially since it already comes with planning permission for a new visitor centre, cafe, event space, and 150-seater car park. Projections suggest that these developments could boost visitor numbers to 300,000 a year, making it a major stop-off for tourists in the region.

Still, any buyers will have to navigate the complex balance between opening up this magical place to new audiences, and managing the concerns of local residents and authorities. The gorge’s precarious steps and rapidly-changing water levels have led to numerous search and rescue incidents in recent years – last summer, a group were trapped in The Devil’s Pulpit by surging tides, and one 21-year-old student drowned.

The hope is that any new owners would take steps to make the site safer, so it could take its place among Scotland’s most-enjoyed tourist attractions. It’s close to the famous Loch Lomond, the romantic ruins of Buchanan Castle, and the pretty lochside village of Balmaha – as well as being a short drive from Glasgow, making it a prime spot for anyone looking to experience a touch of Highland magic, without venturing too far into the wet, windy wilds.

Attention, thrill-seekers: You can now fly over a National Park on England’s longest, most epic zip line.

Plus: Exmoor National Park is rewarding tourists for good behaviour this summer. 

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