Stirling & The Forth Valley – History & Heritage

Dunmore Pineapple, near

Kelpies, Helix Park Falkirk

Alloa Tower, Castle

From miles of canals, to deep glens once providing power Allan or warming whisky at Distillery in . to a thriving textile industry and a city steeped in history, Browse independent boutiques in The Stirling Arcade as Stirling & The Forth Valley has a rich heritage waiting well as for the perfect gif to take home. to be discovered. The regions’ central location is within Falkirk is perhaps best known as the home of The easy reach of both and airports, with excellent train connections and road network. Kelpies, housed in Helix Park. These 30m high equestrian sculptures are a spectacular sight, both day and night, but The region includes much of Loch Lomond & The there are many more reasons to visit the town of Falkirk National Park, with stunning landscapes and and its surrounding area too! glistening lochs, and the city of Stirling is less than 30 minutes away by road. The city itself has witnessed some Discover parts of the , a UNESCO World of the most dramatic events in Scottish history but today Heritage Site, at Rough Castle Fort or in the grounds of the ofers the perfect mix of history and modernity. Nearby impressive 14th century Callendar House. The house has Clackmannanshire is home to the history rich Tower permanent displays of the local area including its Roman Trail, while Falkirk is where you will find the magnificent connections and is free to enter, or at Kinneil House near Kelpies and an extensive canal network. Bo’ness, explore 2,000 years of history from occupying Romans to the Industrial Revolution. In addition you Stirling is a city where you can step back in time amongst will also find a true feat of engineering in the world’s first ancient paths and experience ancient tales which are rotating boat lif, linking the Union and Forth & Clyde brought back to life, all within a vibrant city. Canals. Frequent boat trips mean visitors can experience The historic city of Stirling is surrounded by spectacular this unique experience first-hand. scenery which can be admired from ’s Clackmannanshire is close to the City of Stirling and esplanade, high above the city. Its strategic location set the although it may be ’s smallest county, it’s bursting scene for epic battles, such as The Battle of . with history and tales of times gone by. Join the Tower Trail Relive some of the action with a visit to The Battle of and discover four medieval towers and a manor house Bannockburn centre where 3D technology allows you dating from the late 14th and 15th centuries. Highlights of to experience medieval combat like never before and the trail include the stunning Tower, used to guard even command the knights and soldiers who fought in an important ferry crossing on the and Castle 1314. Wander the cobbled streets of the Old Town, from Campbell. The castle sits high above the region on the edge the castle down to the city centre, where you will find an of the and was the lowland residence of the impressive food and drink ofering, from a wee dram at a Campbell dynasty. The hills can be seen for miles and the whisky bar to local produce at the farmers’ market. Nearby, many paths showcase how important the hills were in the savour local beers at Allanwater Brewhouse in Bridge of once thriving textile industry which dominated the area.

For more ideas and contacts go to www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email [email protected] Stirling & The Forth Valley – History & Heritage Day 1 - Beyond Stirling 1 2 3 4 5

Balquhidder Church – tucked away – located 34 miles from – located just – experience this 14th Cathedral – located six to the north of and near Stirling this fresh water loch is home eight miles from Stirling, the distillery century courtyard castle, built as the miles from Stirling it was established to Loch Voil, is ’s parish to the Steamship Sir Walter Scott. The sits by the at the entrance home of Regent Albany, ‘Scotland’s in 1836 and is one of Scotland’s most church, built in 1853 by David Bryce. beauty of the loch has long inspired to the dramatic Loch Lomond & The uncrowned king’. His rich tastes can noble medieval churches, dating The ruins of the old parish church are literary figures, including Sir Walter Trossachs National Park. Having been be seen clearly in the architecture of back to the 11th century. It is a largely in the graveyard with ancient carved Scott who wrote his famed poem a cotton mill for 180 years, Deanston the medieval castle. Only 9 miles from intact early Gothic cathedral with stones steeped in history, including Lady of the Lake in 1810. Take a was transformed into a distillery in Stirling, it is also a popular filming some early interior fixtures including that of Rob Roy MacGregor who was cruise on the water or hire a bike and 1960. Experience the sights, smells location and has featured in Monty examples of late 19th and early 20th laid to rest here in 1734 where he explore the shore-side path. and sounds of this impressive Python and the Holy Grail, Game of century stained glass and woodwork. lays alongside his wife and two of 01877 376315 distillery on a variety of tours. Thrones and most recently Outlander. 01786 825388 their sons. [email protected] 01786 843010 01786 841742 www.dunblanecathedral.org.uk www.lochkatrine.com www.deanstonmalt.com www.historicenvironment.scot Day 2 - City of Stirling 1 2 3 4 5

Stirling Castle – stroll through the Old Town Jail – located in the heart Engine Shed – located in the city centre, The National – Battle of Bannockburn – stand Royal Palace of James V, restored to its of Stirling’s Old Town, the jail paints a this conservation centre is dedicated to towering over Stirling for over 140 years, shoulder-to-shoulder with medieval renaissance magnificence and described frightening picture of imprisonment in celebrate Scotland’s rich built heritage, today you can still climb the 246 steps warriors and armoured knights and learn as the jewel in Stirling Castle’s crown. the 1800s with dark corridors, and small through a fully immersive experience. and admire the spectacular panoramic about the tactics of two opposing kings Explore the Great Hall, the largest built cells. Day and evening tours available. You will find interactive exhibits, views. Look out for the soldier who tells using state of the art 3D technology. in Scotland and visit the Great Kitchens Nearby, explore The Church of the Holy 3D theatre and augmented reality the story of William Wallace and the Experience medieval combat like never which have been reconstructed. A hop- Rude where James VI was crowned King experiences, and an array of events. The Battle of Stirling Bridge. On the second before and learn about this crucial event on hop-of bus can be used to visit the of Scotland in 1567 with the ceremony centre is easily accessible by road, bus floor gallery you will see Wallace’s sword in Scottish history. Book in advance castle and all of Stirling’s top attractions. being performed by . and train. proudly on display. online to avoid disappointment. 01786 450000 01786 464640 01786 234800 01786 472140 01786 812 664 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.stirlingcastle.scot www.oldtownjail.co.uk www.engineshed.scot www.nationalwallacemonument.com www.battleofbannockburn.com Day 3 - Clackmannanshire and Falkirk Area 1 2 3 4 5

Dollar Museum – located nine miles Castle Campbell – 14 miles from – dating back to the 14th The Dunmore Pineapple – one of the from Stirling and housed in an early Stirling and commanding an century, this is the largest surviving most unusual sights in the Falkirk area Charlotte Dundas Trail – follow 19th century woollen mill, this gem impressive location high above Dollar keep in Scotland, and was home to is the Dunmore Pineapple, nine miles the trail to learn about the world’s of a museum is free to enter and Glen, this fortress, built in the 1400s, the leader of the 1715 Jacobite Rising. from Falkirk. This wonderfully unique first practical steamboat created by tells the story of the local area from belonged to the Campbell Earls of Its strong medieval exterior gives way property was built as an elaborate William Symington and built in 1902, prehistoric times to the present . Today, you can step inside one to an interior of opulent rooms filled summer house and you can even stay as well as the impact this steamboat day. Discover where Robert Burns of Scotland’s best-preserved tower with historical art and riches, where in it. The location of the building is and the canal network still has on found love nearby, admire images of houses, and imagine all of the drama Mary Queen of Scots once spent part perfect for exploring, thanks to the the area today. Start the short trail Scotland’s first Japanese garden or the castles walls have witnessed. of her childhood under the care of the walled garden and the woodland at The Kelpies, Helix Park and follow research some family history in the Stroll through the terraced gardens, family. grounds, which are an oasis for it to lock 1 providing a great way to reading room. and take in the spectacular views. www.nts.org.uk wildlife and perfect for picnics. explore the canal network further. [email protected] 01259 742408 www.nts.org.uk www.visitfalkirk.com/things-to-do/ www.home.btconnect.com/ www.historicenvironment.scot heritage/charlotte-dundas-heritage- dollarmuseum trail Day 4 - Falkirk Area 1 2 3 4 5

The Falkirk Wheel – this feat of Callendar House & Park – dating Town Centre Heritage Trail – this Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway – 19 miles Blackness Castle – used as a filming engineering is the world’s first and from the 14th century and tucked is one of the best ways to fully from Edinburgh, is Scotland’s largest location for Outlander, this castle only rotating boat lif, linking the away in the town of Falkirk. Also see appreciate the history of Falkirk Town railway museum where you’ll discover is ofen referred to as the ‘ship that Forth & Clyde and Union Canals. Take The Antonine Wall, a UNESCO World Centre. The Falkirk Steeple in the full-sized locomotives, interactive never sailed’ due to its shape and is a boat trip and soar 35 metres into Heritage Site, sections can be found in town centre is an excellent starting displays and vintage subway cars only 17 miles from Edinburgh. It is a the air hearing all about the history of the grounds of this 5-star, free to enter point, although a variety of routes can from Glasgow, all telling the story of formidable fortress with sweeping the area and the wheel’s construction. visitor attraction. The restored 1825 be taken. The trail covers 25 sites of our rich railway heritage. Hop on the views across the Forth, providing the Find Segway tours, bike hire, kids kitchen is a particular highlight where historical interest including the site of steam train, another Outlander filming perfect view of the Forth Bridges. splash zone and visitor centre with you can sample 19th century food. the Falkirk Roman Fort and a Masonic location, and journey along the Forth Wander the imposing rooms, spot gif shop or explore a little further and 01324 503796 Temple completed in 1906. enjoying afernoon tea. wildlife from the curtain wall or take the #Wheel2Kelpies Selfie Trail. [email protected] www.visitfalkirk.com/things-to-do/ 01506 822298 wander the shore beneath. www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk- www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/ heritage/falkirk-town-heritage-trail [email protected] www.historicenvironment.scot/visit- wheel venues/callendar-house www.bkrailway.co.uk a-place/places/blackness-castle Please note some attractions have seasonal opening hours. Please check opening times with the attraction.

For more ideas and contacts go to www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email [email protected]