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All the United Kingdom Scotland West Dunbartonshire Balloch Park Fairy Trail

Balloch Park Fairy Trail

A local tree surgeon has created a whimsical walk full of carved tree stumps near Scotland's Loch Lomond.

West Dunbartonshire, Scotland

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Lindsay Fuller
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Tree carving in Balloch.   angellj1976 / Atlas Obscura User
Gathianth the Dragon.   angellj1976 / Atlas Obscura User
Fairy house in Balloch.   angellj1976 / Atlas Obscura User
  ssm67alba / Atlas Obscura User
  perfectmeatball / Atlas Obscura User
  ssm67alba / Atlas Obscura User
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Patrick Muir, a local tree surgeon, has carved fairy houses and other fun things from the stumps of diseased trees within Balloch Castle Country Park in Balloch, Scotland. Using a chainsaw, he has created a variety of carvings ranging from a simple face to detailed fairy houses and a majestic dragon.

Hunting for the carvings makes for a fun, whimsical walk through the park. They’re scattered throughout the area, and each one even has its own brief, fictional back story. Some of Muir’s creations are easily visible from the main path that leads to the castle. A few others, however, are on more rural trails that require a bit of off-road exploration throughout the woods. A new carving can appear at any time, making it easy to spend hours in the park looking for new discoveries while also enjoying the castle, the views, and the beauty of Loch Lomond.

Muir began crafting his carvings after becoming tired of leaving boring stumps in the wake of the diseased and dying trees he felled. He began transforming the pieces of dead wood into mushrooms, though his two daughters eventually encouraged him to get more creative.

Related Tags

Fairies Houses Miniatures Dragons Trails Outsider Art Trees Parks Homes Plants

Know Before You Go

The Balloch Tourist Information Centre already has basic maps to help people find the carvings and the local council is working with the artist to make an official trail so people can follow it.

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Added By

angellj1976

Edited By

ssm67alba, perfectmeatball

  • ssm67alba
  • perfectmeatball

Published

August 28, 2017

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Sources
  • http://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/parks-and-greenspaces/parks/balloch-castle-country-park/
  • https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/balloch-castle-country-park-p252431
  • http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/renton-tree-surgeon-creates-woodland-9410422
Balloch Park Fairy Trail
20 Park Avenue
West Dunbartonshire, Scotland
United Kingdom
56.016431, -4.587957
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Loch Lomond

West Dunbartonshire, Scotland

miles away

The Ruins of St. Peter's Seminary

Cardross, Scotland

miles away

Wallabies of Inchconnachan

Argyll and Bute, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of West Dunbartonshire

West Dunbartonshire

Scotland

Places 2

Nearby Places

Loch Lomond

West Dunbartonshire, Scotland

miles away

The Ruins of St. Peter's Seminary

Cardross, Scotland

miles away

Wallabies of Inchconnachan

Argyll and Bute, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of West Dunbartonshire

West Dunbartonshire

Scotland

Places 2

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