The Devon Way follows almost the exact route of the Devon Valley Railway from Dollar to Alloa. The line closed to passengers in 1964 and freight traffic was lost a decade later. Many old trackbeds now function as walking and cycling routes and this is surely preferable to them being overgrown stretches of jungle.
From Dollar town centre, head down Station Road to find the platform of the old station still intact. Turn right in the direction of Tillicoultry to begin our trail. The path is tarmac throughout and we initially follow a course between the River Devon and the A91.
As we reach Tillicoultry, we pass the well-known Sterling Furniture Warehouse which has a cafe inside. Across the road is the newer shopping village with several eating options. We cut across the southern corner of the town and then temporarily leave the original course of the railway.
The reason for the diversion becomes apparent when we see the piers of the dismantled viaduct across the Devon. We soon reconnect with the old line and continue our journey. Upon reaching Sauchie, we cross the A908 on foot, the railbridge having long since been removed.
A remarkable pub can be found here. From the outside, the Mansfield Arms appears to be a nondescript working man's boozer, certainly not where you would expect to find a brewhouse. But step inside and you will find the pub's own traditional beers on sale and served on air pressure. Cheap prices but very cheerful. There should be more places like this.
The trackbed isn't obvious here. Walk a short distance down the main road to the roundabout and pick up the path across Parkhead Road. After half a mile we reach Alloa Railway Station which was reopened in 2008. The footbridge over the line once carried a horse-drawn waggonway which ran down to the docks.
Despite being a brewing powerhouse for most of the 20th century, real ale is thin on the ground in Alloa. The Bobbing John is a Wetherspoons outlet which serves a few cask beers. This chain has its detractors but all types of customer are catered for and there are several Scottish towns which would be ale deserts without JD Wetherspoon.
A bus runs back to Dollar every two hours from the stances on Shillinghill.
