Powmill Quarry

Alternative name: Alloa Quarry

Travel directions: Cross the Kincardine Bridge, and turn left onto the A977 signposted for Alloa. At the first roundabout continue on the A977 signposted for Perth. Continue along this road. After 5.6 miles you will come to the village of Blairingone. Continue through the village and after 0.9 miles you will pass two lay-bys. The first on the RHS and the second on the LHS. These can be identified by a large security fence at the rear of both lay-bys. Continue for another 0.1 of a mile and as you go up a slight incline, park on the grass verge on the RHS.

Parking directions: Park on the grass verge. The correct place can be identified by some large boulders blocking the way up to the quarry. About 10 metres to the left there is another opening allowing access by 4x4. Walk through the trees and follow the track on the right up the hill to the quarry. It is possible to get a car to the waters edge, but it is a bit of a struggle.

Distance from Little Chef, Milton: Approximately 54 miles.

OS Map & Grid Ref: 58 Perth & Alloa. 007974

Lat & Long (of grass verge): Lat: 56:09:40N (56.161); Lon: 3:36:11W (-3.603)

OS Map: OS Landranger Series 1:50,000 Number 58 Perth & Alloa.

Multimap (of grass verge): http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?local=h&scale=25000&title=Powmill%20Quarry%20lay-by&lon=-3.603&lat=56.161&icon=x

Site entry/exit: Most of the sides of the quarry are straight drops so entering the water is straight forward jump. Exiting the water can be a bit of a climb, but there are several places where it is possible to climb out. It is also possible to walk out of the water at the north side of the quarry, but as the bottom is a fine silt, it does get a bit muddy.

Underwater directions: Not the biggest site, so just stick to the side and work your way round. Maximum depth ranges from about 6 metres at the north of the site to about 14 / 15 metres at the south side.

Site hazards: Lots of discarded rubbish (cars, caravan, washing machine and the obligatory shopping trolley). Some of these are piled high or at a precarious angle, so be careful what you touch. Water gets very cold in the winter.

Suggested experience: Good site for trying out new kit.

Nearest public phone: Powmill.

Mobile network service: Vodafone and Orange work here, the other ones probably work as well as it is not a remote site.

Pub: Gartwhinzean Hotel is one mile to the east on A977.

Created by: Airmonster / charlie mcg.

Date: updated on 25 October 2006.

Thanks to: craigdiver for the ariel photo.

Ariel photo:

Site access marked with red arrow.