Dollar Glen can be reached on foot from the town centre or by a steep drive. Head up either East or West Burnside. These streets have the Dollar Burn flowing down the centre and they converge at Dollar Museum which has excellent local history displays and is open at weekends from Easter until Christmas. From the bridge adjacent to the museum, a signed path winds its way into the glen.
If driving, keep heading uphill, following the brown signs. Soon you will be climbing steeply up Castle Road. After 500 yards there is a car-park on your right and pedestrian entrance to the glen just opposite. A map shows you the network of paths within.
Follow the path down to the burn - hooking up with the route from the museum - and begin working your way upstream. Walkways and handrails are in place at the more hazardous locations but - as ever - take care in any unguarded areas. A wooden platform serving as a viewpoint makes a good photo opportunity. Continue the uphill slog and the outline of Castle Campbell will loom ahead. There is an admission charge to explore the buildings and gardens.
You could return back down the glen - perhaps on the western edge - but it's well worth making the effort to scale the summit of nearby Bank Hill. At 1128 feet, amazing views can be had across several counties with the River Forth meandering through the middle. Facing the castle entrance, look for a path to the right. Proceed down a staircase and follow the wonderfully named Burn of Sorrow downstream for a short distance before crossing a wooden bridge. The path then regains height and gives way to open ground. Follow the fence line to hook up with the grassy paths leading to the peak. A cairn sits upon the summit.
Make your way back to Castle Campbell and either go back through the glen or simply follow the access road back to the car-park where we started. A ford is encountered on this route (a pedestrian footbridge is provided) and we meet the Burn of Care - obviously the counterpart of Sorrow!
Down in the town centre, the King's Seat Bar offers a fine choice of ales. The Dollar Delicatessen is an excellent food outlet on the main street.
