A walking charity is encouraging Scots to make walking part of their New Year’s resolutions - and we've got a few suggestions in Clackmannanshire to get you out and about.

The 2023 National Survey of Attitudes to Walking and Wheeling in Scotland, which was commissioned by Paths for All – found that 85 per cent of adults walk several times per week or daily, while 59 per cent walk for leisure for exercise.

While 84 per cent said they enjoy walking because it is good for their health, just under a quarter (24 per cent) had heard or seen messages on the health benefits of walking.  

Fiona Bull, head of physical activity at the World Health Organisation, presented evidence at a lecture held by Paths for All, about how walking can save lives.

Dr Bull said: “Walking more regularly can contribute to saving lives and brings so many health benefits; but too often, walking is not being promoted enough. 

"The work Paths for All has been doing to get more people active is incredible, bringing communities together and ensuring all have access to walking groups, as well as upgrading infrastructure, and educating the public.  

It was also highlighted by Dr Bull that physical inactivity accounts for between 3.2 and 5.1 million deaths a year.

Louise Bursle, communications and marketing manager at Paths for All, said: “As we enter a new year, many people will be setting resolutions to be more active, but you don’t need to make big commitments to see the benefits. Just adding a short walk to your daily routine will have an impact.” 

A few walks that people from Alloa can do include the Tillicoultry Glen, the Japanese Garden at Cowden, and Gartmorn Dam Country Park and Nature Reserve.

Tillicoultry Glen lies just above the village and the path borders a large quarry. The path passes above cliffs and steep slopes, but there is also an alternative route with fewer cliffs and rocks. Woodpeckers are also known to be in the area.

The Japanese Garden at Cowden is near Dollar is a ticketed estate that you can visit that has numerous walks including the Christie Walk, The Lime Tree Avenue, and the Stewart Woodland. The estate also has a tearoom that you can visit after a day of exploring.

And Gartmorn Dam Country Park and Nature Reserve is a 170 acre reservoir that was engineered by Sir John Erskine and now the park has numerous paths, and a variety of birds can be seen in the area.