Overtoun House, Dumbarton, United Kingdom

Overtoun House is a 19th-century country house and estate in West Dunbartonshire. The house, an example of Scottish Baronial architecture, was built in the 1860s, and was donated to the people of Dumbarton in 1938. It was subsequently a maternity hospital, and now houses a Christian centre. The house is protected as a category A listed building, while the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.

Overtoun Bridge is a structure over the Overtoun Burn. It was completed in 1895 to a design by the landscape architect H. E. Milner.

Since 2005, media publicity has been given to reports of a number of dogs either falling or jumping from the bridge, resulting in injury or death upon landing on the rocks some 15m below; the bridge has also been the site of a murder and an attempted suicide. Explanations for these deaths have ranged from claims of ghosts and supernatural causes to natural explanations of dogs being attracted to the scent or sounds of nearby animals in the undergrowth, and consequently losing their balance on the sloping surfaces of the bridge's parapet.

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Palaces, manors and town halls in United Kingdom

User Reviews

Dee (8 months ago)
Great place for a visit nice walks. Friday and Sat serve lunch which is very reasonable. Beautiful building with amazing decor in dining room. Staff always well mannered and polite. Not dog friendly which is a pity but I'm sure there is a takeaway option. Great views

Sarah Dickson (11 months ago)
Lots of well marked paths, ample free parking. Paths are stoney, boggy and sloped in areas so sturdy footwear best worn. Short loops or longer hill walks up Brown Hill, Merikle Hill and others. Lovely view from the hill tops looking out to Loch Lomond.

Shaz McCreadie (2 years ago)
It was closed on the day we visited so can comment on the house. We walked around the grounds and parkland and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not to taxing although I wouldn't take young children who might run ahead because there are some sheer drops into the glen. Some areas were already fenced off due to safety issues

Steven Webb (2 years ago)
Awesome place for a walk, so beautiful in all seasons. The little forest loop is spectacular

Gareth Price (2 years ago)
They have defined and well marked and maintained woodland paths. Excellent for fresh air and exercise. Path difficulties vary so something for everyone.

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