Home Report Dunblane

Dunblane is an affluent and attractive town in the Stirling council area of roughly 9,500 residents which lies on the banks of the River Allan. It is situated just a few miles north of Stirling, and Bridge of Allan. It has been an important centre since the 7th century, with it taking a more prominent role in the 13th century after becoming a major stronghold of the pre-Reformation Church, evidence of which still remains with the magnificent and recently restored Gothic-style cathedral in the town. The town as we know it today really started to develop in the 1960s and 70s. Since then, it has grown significantly to be regarded as a highly desired place to live, because of good transport links, as well as good schooling and availability of local amenities.

Dunblane today then is primarily a commuter town for residents working in Stirling and the wider Stirling council area, though some residents also commuter further to Falkirk, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The excellent transport links help. Dunblane has its own dedicated train station with regular daily services to Edinburgh and Glasgow in about an hour, as well regular service to nearer towns of Stirling, Falkirk and Perth. Road links are also very good, with a well-developed road network within easy reach, like the A9 and M9 running nearby and allowing drivers easy connections to nearby towns or further connections to the A84, A811, M80 and M90 to reach the likes of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and further should it be desired.

As for local amenities, Dunblane has a lot going for it. The town centre has a variety of cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from, as well as the usual array of independent businesses and chains. The well-known Dunblane Hydro can also be found within the town, within 10 acres of stunning grounds, a great amenity for locals and tourists alike with a fantastic restaurant and bar, leisure club, and spa.

In terms of things to see and local attractions, the aforementioned cathedral is a great example of 13th-century Gothic architecture recently restored. It stands amid several old-worldie buildings such as the 17th century Dean’s House, which has a small museum. Dunblane also has the oldest private library in Scotland. It is called Leighton Library house and contains some 4,500 books, some very rare, in 90 languages originally printed between 1500 and 1840. Naturally, Andy Murray’s golden post box to commemorate his gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games must be mentioned too. There are also a number of lovely riverside walks along the River Allan with established and well-maintained bridges and pathways.

Dunblane’s proximity to Bride of Allan and Stirling also allows residents much more choice within a short travel time by either public or private transport.

Dunblane has three primary schools: Dunblane Primary School, St. Mary’s Primary School, and Newton Primary School. Dunblane High School is the local secondary school. Dunblane High has a great reputation for attainment and in 2019 was Scotland’s best performer with 76% of leavers achieving at least five Highers. Dunblane also benefits from its close proximity to the University of Stirling.