The battle of Bannockburn took place nearby in 1314 and Stirling castle has Royal connections going back to 1124, a favoured palace of the Stewart dynasty. Stirling was awarded city status in the millenium year. Historically the only river crossing between the highlands and lowlands was here, it was said whoever controlled Stirling controlled Scotland.

The battle of Stirling bridge was a victory for William Wallace in 1297, the 220ft high Wallace Monument was built in the honour of this national hero. Set high on a hill it dominates the skyline with the Hillfoots as a backcloth. Here small villages like Blairlogie are laid out along the foot of the Hillfoots, the most famous summit being Dumyat.

A spa town and today a wealthy suburb with lots of attractive independant shops. It has connections with R L Stevenson's novels Treasure Island and Kidnapped.

They say the first shot in the American Civil war was fired from a Doune pistol, made here by William Caddell in the 17th century. The 14th century courtyard castle was a stronghold for the Earls of Menteith and a hunting lodge for the Stewart Kings. It was a dower house for three Queens and recently was featured in the cult movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Once famous as the location for a popular T.V. series Doctor Finlay's Casebook. The author A.J.Cronin was once a medical assistant here. Built as a planned town after the '45 and today a gateway for Scotland's first national park - Loch Lomond & the Trossachs. A popular tourist destination with many hotels, pubs and shops. Located at the foot of Ben Ledi and on the edge of the highland fault.  A Roman fort was built here in an attempt to control the lands to the north.

A pretty little clachan of a few houses and a great pub.

Located in the very heart of the Trossachs.

This supplies some 100 million gallons of water a day to Glasgow. A number of cruises can be enjoyed from the pier as well as bike hire. Sir Walter Scott wrote his poem 'The Lady of the Lake' here.

Built in 1820 by the Duke of Montrose this high mountain pass climbs to over 800ft with far reaching views.

Another popular tourist hot-spot and busy in the summer.The local Minister Rev Robert Kirke in the 17th century was spirited away by the fairies. The famous Venetian swordmaker Andreas Ferrera lived for a while in the area.

Set beside Loch Ard this is lovely spot in the middle of the vast Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.

Scotland's only lake due to an error by a dutch cartographer. The beautiful Inchmaholm Abbey is located on an island and accessible by ferry.This was home to the infant Mary Queen of Scots whilst en-route to France.

Ben Ledi is the highest mountain in the Trossachs. Known as the 'Mountain of God' druids would climb this hill and wait for three days and nights for the god 'Baal'.

'Bonnie Strathyre' as immortalised in song, remains a bonnie place indeed, set below the forestry clad hill of Ben Shean, the hill of fairies.

The grave of Rob Roy lies in the kirkyard here. He lived at the end of the Glen and was buried on New Years day 1735. The Braes of Balquhidder are famous and many great writers have visited the area, Wordsworth penned his poem 'The Solitary Reaper' here. This was MacGregor and MacLaren country.

 A loch that welcomes water sports and as such is a popular Water Ski centre.

A dramatic mountain pass that Queen Victoria likened to the 'Kyber Pass'

The Clan McNab buriel ground on an island in the River beside the Falls of Dochart is the sight that awaits you as you pass over the bridge. Killin is another busy wee place, lots of shops, pubs and hotels. Finlarig castle is a ruin that was once a seat of the powerful Campbells.

Ben Lawers is owned by the National Trust and enjoys views from the Atlantic in the West to the North Sea in the East. Glen Lyon is the longest, loveliest and most legend filled glen in the country. Fortingall is a village built complete with thatched roofs by the local estate, it has the oldest tree in Europe; a yew in the kirkyard and also claims to have been the birthplace of Pontius Pilate.

The rail still plays an important role in Crianlarich, which is also a cross-roads with road routes from here heading east, west and south down Loch Lomond to Glasgow. Tyndrum is another junction with the infamous pass of Glencoe leading to Fort William whilst the other route heads west to Oban along Loch Awe.