2018-19 EXPLORE the forth valley stirling, falkirk & clackmannanshire visitscotland.com Thistles_VisitScotland_128x194_AW.indd 1 25/08/2017 14:06 WELCOME TO the forth valley – stirling, falkirk & clackmannanshire 1 Welcome to… Contents THE forth valley – 2 The heart of a nation 4 The city of Stirling stirling, falkirk & 6 Falkirk clackmannanshire 8 Clackmannanshire 10 Outdoor fun 12 Local flavours 14 Year of Young People 2018 16 What’s on 18 Travel tips 20 Practical information View from the Ochil Hills towards the National Wallace Monument 24 Places to visit listings 41 Display adverts Many amazing adventures have been born in the Forth Valley, the cradle 31 Leisure activities listings of much of Scotland’s fascinating history. Here you can travel back in 31 Shopping listings time and walk in the same castle hallways as ancient kings, or look to the 47 Display adverts future and try an exciting new sport. You can lead your loved ones into the 32 Food & drink listings romantic wooded glens and tranquil lochs of the Trossachs, or take on the 50 Display adverts dramatic Ochil Hills, a long range of steeply sided hills. You’ll find it’s easy 35 Tours listings to get here from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, whether you travel by car or 47 Display adverts public transport. 36 Transport listings There are many ways to discover the area’s fascinating history, 53 Display adverts from its epic bloody clashes to dramatic clan tales passed down through generations. Events & festivals listings 54 Display adverts At the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of medieval warfare, or see fine examples of 36 Family fun listings Renaissance architecture at Stirling Castle. 38 Accommodation listings 54 Display adverts In Stirling, you’ll find a distinctive blend of history and modernity. 58 Regional map 1 Not far away you’ll find the Falkirk Wheel, a 60 Stirling street map 2 triumph of contemporary engineering design, while in the east you can explore the ancient glens of Clackmannanshire, an area of natural beauty with splendid walks. 2018 is the Year of Young People and this is the ideal time to join us in celebrating our creative young minds, and getting involved in many opportunities for families and young people alike. Cover: The National Wallace Monument, Stirling Credits: ©VisitScotland. Kenny Lam, Damian Shields, Discover Clackmannanshire, Paul Dodds, Forth Valley Open Studios, Stuart McClay, , Inverlochy Hotel Group 18STIR Produced and published by APS Group Scotland (APS) in conjunction with VisitScotland (VS) and Scottish Provincial Press (SPP). Disclaimer APS / VS / SPP have produced and published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted by the proprietors/managers of the businesses listed who have paid for and approved their entries to be included. Although APS / VS / SPP have taken reasonable steps to confirm the accuracy of information contained in this guide at the time of going to press, it cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, APS / VS / SPP recommends that all information is checked with the proprietor/ manager of the business prior to visiting/booking to ensure that the accommodation, facilities, price and all other aspects of the business are satisfactory. APS / VS / SPP accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in this guide. APS / VS / SPP also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, or liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual contained in this guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as at January 2018. 2 the forth valley – stirling, falkirk & clackmannanshire the heart of a nation Loch Lubnaig, near Callander You are about to explore the geographical and historical heart of Scotland – the Forth Valley. This region includes the ancient city of Stirling, the town of Falkirk and the county of Clackmannanshire and here you can enjoy a wonderful variety of sights and experiences. Start your day in Stirling’s imposing castle then browse the shops and grab some lunch before heading off to soak up the region’s splendid scenery of rolling hills, dramatic deep glens and glimmering lochs. Stirling Monument. Get your breath back Canals Stirling is one of Scotland’s seven at each of the three levels on the Falkirk’s canals once carried barges cities, and you’ll find it to be a way up and learn about the life of full of cargo and weary workers. fascinating blend of ancient royal national hero William Wallace, the Today, you’re more likely to see stronghold and modern living building of the monument, and canoeists, cyclists and pleasure metropolis. As you approach you’ll other famous Scots. At the top your boaters! Walk or cycle along the see Stirling Castle dominating the reward is a phenomenal view of the towpaths of the Forth & Clyde and city from its airy, crag-top position. River Forth, Stirling and the distant Union Canals, or take a boat ride Spilling down the hill from the mountains. and enjoy the graceful ascent of castle is the charming historic old What did a medieval battle feel, the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first town, with cobbled streets and look and sound like? Find out for rotating boat lift. medieval buildings, as well as yourself at the state-of-the-art The Helix modern amenities including The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Thistles Shopping Centre. The Helix is a brilliant area for Centre just outside the city. Take outdoor adventure – you can Get ready for a few huffs and puffs command of your own army whilst explore over 17 miles of pathways, as you climb the spiral staircase playing playing the interactive try watersports in the lagoon or to the top of the National Wallace Battle Game on a 3D map. take the walkway over the wetlands VISITSCOTLAND.COM the heart of a nation 3 and admire The Helix’s biodiversity. former textile hubs. Wool-spinning Bring your camera and get some and weaving were once the way of amazing pictures of the world’s life here, and it’s worth taking an Highlights largest equine structures – The hour or two to visit an old Victorian Tower houses were what Kelpies, two 30m tall equine mill, such as the one at Dollar. aristocrats with ‘grand sculptures created by Andy Scott. designs’ built in the 14th Dunblane and 15th century. They later Glens of Clackmannanshire Tennis superstar Andy Murray grew fell out of fashion but you Leave the cares of everyday far up here, and you can play a set or can see four such medieval behind as you stroll through two yourself while you’re here. Play towers and a manor house this beautiful landscape where tennis at the Dunblane Sports Club on the Clackmannanshire interesting wildlife and history are or tee off at the Dunblane Golf Club Tower Trail. waiting round the next corner. At and enjoy a leisurely round of golf. Lose yourself in the beauty Alva Glen, the waterfalls and fast of the Campsie Fells which flowing rivers once supplied former Callander stretch from the west of textile mills, but now they just You know you’ve reached Stirling towards Glasgow. chatter to themselves. Follow the somewhere special when you walk Fintry has been voted meandering paths in Dollar Glen along the streets of this charming Scotland’s ‘Best Kept to reach the awe-inspiring Castle small town at the heart of the Village’ on several occasions, Campbell. Explore the pleasant Trossachs. There are plenty of while Killearn has attractive towns of Alloa, which nestles by the quirky local shops to wander in and traditional holiday cottages River Forth, and Tillicoultry, set in out of, a sleepy river, woods and the if you fancy a break in the the foothills of the Ochils. invigorating Bracklinn Falls walk. country. This mile-long route takes you Try winter sports all year Textile heritage from the village centre up into the round on the dry slopes Thread your way through the hills forest and across a bridge over a of Fir Park Ski Centre at to Alloa and the Hillfoot villages 100m-deep gorge with spectacular Tillicoultry. As well as and explore these fascinating white torrents. snowboarding and skiing, have a go at tubing where you whizz down the slopes on a rubber tube! You can also get ski practice at Polmonthill Ski Centre, with its 100m-long artificial slope. Off the beaten track is the enchanting Lake of Menteith where you can spot ospreys, or cast off and catch some of the best rainbow trout in Scotland at the fishery. Visit the island and Inchmahome Priory in the summer. Did you know? You can see William Wallace’s mighty sword at the National Wallace Mounument Dollar Glen VISITSCOTLAND.COM 4 the forth valley – stirling, falkirk & clackmannanshire the city of stirling Stirling Castle You won’t be stuck for things to do in Stirling, whenever you visit. Year-round you can explore ancient landmarks and join in with exciting festivals and events. Hear how some of the greatest tales in our history played out here and make a few stories of your own at our great family attractions. Enter the gates and you’ll see that battle decisions and discover the Wind your way through the narrow Stirling Castle is really a mini- accounts of bystanders. heart of Stirling’s Old Town, with city rather than a single fortress. its ancient buildings and cobbled You can explore the Great Hall, Climb to the top of the National streets.