Nick Drainey's Extra Mile

A short walk near one of Scotland's most unusual follies

The Pineapple

Tower blocks, mobile phone masts and the Scottish Parliament - modern construction is often pilloried for being ugly or simply unnecessary.

It wasn't that long ago, however, that Scots were happy to revel in peculiar building projects and dozens of so-called follies were erected across the country - to mark great achievements or display high status.

Nowadays these monuments to bygone magnificence are often good places in the country to enjoy a stroll and picnic.

To the north of Falkirk, the Pineapple, near Airth, is one such location, often overlooked in tourist guides and therefore usually fairly quiet with only a few local dog walkers. At the moment it is worth enjoying a stroll beyond the stone building - as the name suggests it is built in the shape of a pineapple - to see a great display of rhododendrons.

It was built towards the end of the 18th century by John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore, as a birthday present for his wife, Susan.

To get there go north along the A905 out of the village of Airth and after about half a mile turn left onto the B9124, signed to the Pineapple. Go right after about 50 yards, at East Lodge, and follow a minor road across fields before turning left to reach a car park by a walled garden.

From the car park walk through an entrance on the right to enter the walled garden with the Pineapple up to the right. After admiring the structure or enjoying a picnic on the lawn, go through a gate in the wall to the left (diagonally opposite the gate by which you entered the garden.)

Follow a path through a corridor of rhododendrons to a clearing where there is an abundance of the flowers.

At the end of the path go left along a track which leaves the woods and passes between fields, becoming grassy.

Turn left at the end to follow the minor road you drove in on back to the car park. The walk will take no more than an hour, even with small children.