The Trossachs From March to September, Callander, the capital of the Trossachs on the A84, 8 miles (13km) from Doune, is choked with cars and pedestrians. It is, however, a suitable base and starting point for a tour of the Trossachs with good accommodation and restaurants. Callander The Trossachs and Rob Roy Visitor Centre is situated in a converted church in the middle of town. Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734), a Highland rapscallion, made a nuisance of himself to the local gentry and passed on the booty to his less affluent clansmen. Cattle rustling and smuggling were his main forte, before disappearing behind waterfalls or hidden caves when the heat was on. Noted for his exceptionally long arms, his antics might have passed unnoticed was it not for Sir Walter Scott's novel. There are low-level walks around the town such as a stroll up to Bracklinn Falls on the River Keltie, an easy round-trip of 2 miles (3km) past the golf course east of town. Flanked by the River Teith and overshadowed by Ben Ledi, the town was also known to millions in the 60s as the 'Tannochbrae' of Dr Finlay's Casebook, though actually filmed in Auchtermuchty in Fife. One great way of exploring the Trossachs is by jumping on the Trossachs Trundler, a genuine 1950s country bus, conductor and all, that takes you on a round-trip tour of some of the area's beauty spots. You can hop off anywhere for a cup of tea or a hike and catch the next Trundler a couple of hours later. The Trundler provides a summer service between Aberfoyle and Callander, calling at the steamer pier at Loch Katrine where it is timed to link with the sailing's of the Sir Walter Scott. Loch Katrine was raised 17ft (5m) and became the reservoir for the Greater Glasgow area. Aberfoyle Aberfoyle is the other Trossachs town, lying between the Highland grandeur of the Menteith Hills and Ben Lomond. The town of Aberfoyle is much more relaxed than Callander. There is a marvellous 18 hole golf course and, next door to it, one of the best restaurants in the area owned by popular television chef, Nick Nairn, the Braeval Old Mill, which is so popular that booking ahead is strongly advised (Tel 01877 382711). The Scottish Wool Centre gives an insight into the 'beastie' that replaced much of the Scottish Highlands human population in a 'theatre' production with the four-legged supplanters being the stars. Rob Roy's Cave, one of his hiding-places from the government soldiers, is a pleasant drive away on the Loch Lomond road to Inversnaid. Lake of Menteith Carrying on along the A81 from Aberfoyle, heading east, is found the Port of Menteith which looks over Scotland's only lake, the Lake of Menteith, a simple misnomer made by a Dutch surveyor. On one of the islands stands Inchmahome Priory, reached by a small ferry boat, much as did the young Mary Queen of Scots, in 1547. Following the Scots defeat by the English at the Battle of Pinkie, 4-year-old Mary was hidden here for 3 weeks before she was spirited off to France to prevent her marriage to the sickly son on Henry VIII. The priory is in ruin with some parts still quite well preserved along with well-tended lawns. Striking north again on the A84 past the long roadside stretch of Loch Lubnaig, Balquidder is a tiny village on the way to Loch Viol, just off the A84. Its significance is supported by the graves of Rob Roy, his wife Helen and their two sons placed outside the old ruined church. This was Rob Roy's home territory though his adventures ranged well south into the Stirling area. He died in his bed at the age of 63 having evaded the hangman's gibbet. Lochearnhead is the next stop, an attractive and busy village with plenty of activity. There is boating, board-sailing, Canadian canoeing and a water-skiing centre making the water at this end of Loch Earn almost boil on a good day. There are also gift shops and restaurants. The A85 runs along Loch Earn's north shore into Tayside. Loch Earn is a long stretch of water surrounded by the high peaks of Ben Vorlich 3,231ft (985m) to the south and Ben More 3852ft (1175m) to the west. The loch is 6 miles (10km) long running from Lochearnhead in the west and St Fillans to the east. The road to Killin climbs Glen Ogle, a weary struggle for cyclists who are rewarded at the other side with a free-wheel of around 4 miles (6km) into the village. Killin, on the A827, is a comely little place with an almost alpine appeal, the towering hulk of Ben Lawers above it. The River Dochart runs through the village and its falls are a popular spot for photography or just sitting on the rocks. The Old Bridge provides a crossing over the river at this point and is set on two islets, which form the burial ground for the Clan MacNab. Most of the clan immigrated to Canada during the Clearances but in their time they were an aggressive lot constantly at war with their neighbours. This and many other tales are told in the Breadalbane Folklore Centre overlooking the Falls of Dochart. The life and legends of this area, known as the High Country of Scotland, is evidenced with audio-visual displays with the ghost of St Fillan doing some of the narration. The Tourist Information Centre is on the ground floor. Killin Golf Course is situated on the east of the village and is said to have the most scenic closing hole in Britain. Fishing is also available on Loch Tay and the Rivers Dochart and Lochay. Permits, at a reasonable cost, are available from the newsagent's shop in the village as well as some hotels. Returning west, Crainlarich, a meeting point of railway and road networks, is also the isolated half-way point on the West Highland Way and a good base for hill-walking especially around Ben More. Further on, another famous crossroads is Tyndrum. Here, the A82 carries on north to Glencoe and Fort William while the A85 branches off for Oban and Inverary. Its status as a holiday town has rapidly grown with an increase in facilities for tourists although it has always been popular with hill-walkers. But for many years, local people have known that the real wealth lies in the hills. Gold prospectors have proved that there are millions of pounds of the precious metal beneath the surface and tunnelling has recently started in earnest. Around Killin Lochearnhead is the next stop, an attractive and busy village with plenty of activity. There is boating, board-sailing, Canadian canoeing and a water-skiing centre making the water at this end of Loch Earn almost boil on a good day. There are also gift shops and restaurants. The A85 runs along Loch Earn's north shore into Tayside. Loch Earn is a long stretch of water surrounded by the high peaks of Ben Vorlich 3,231ft (985m) to the south and Ben More 3852ft (1175m) to the west. The loch is 6 miles (10km) long running from Lochearnhead in the west and St Fillans to the east. The road to Killin climbs Glen Ogle, a weary struggle for cyclists who are rewarded at the other side with a free-wheel of around 4 miles (6km) into the village. Killin, on the A827, is a comely little place with an almost alpine appeal, the towering hulk of Ben Lawers above it. The River Dochart runs through the village and its falls are a popular spot for photography or just sitting on the rocks. The Old Bridge provides a crossing over the river at this point and is set on two islets, which form the burial ground for the Clan MacNab. Most of the clan immigrated to Canada during the Clearances but in their time they were an aggressive lot constantly at war with their neighbours. This and many other tales are told in the Breadalbane Folklore Centre overlooking the Falls of Dochart. The life and legends of this area, known as the High Country of Scotland, is evidenced with audio-visual displays with the ghost of St Fillan doing some of the narration. The Tourist Information Centre is on the ground floor. Killin Golf Course is situated on the east of the village and is said to have the most scenic closing hole in Britain. Fishing is also available on Loch Tay and the Rivers Dochart and Lochay. Permits, at a reasonable cost, are available from the newsagent's shop in the village as well as some hotels. The west Returning west, Crainlarich, a meeting point of railway and road networks, is also the isolated half-way point on the West Highland Way and a good base for hill-walking especially around Ben More. Further on, another famous crossroads is Tyndrum. Here, the A82 carries on north to Glencoe and Fort William while the A85 branches off for Oban and Inverary. Its status as a holiday town has rapidly grown with an increase in facilities for tourists although it has always been popular with hill-walkers. But for many years, local people have known that the real wealth lies in the hills. Gold prospectors have proved that there are millions of pounds of the precious metal beneath the surface and tunnelling has recently started in earnest. South-west of Stirling lie the Campsie Fells, a group of low-lying hills that separate the pastoral Forth Valley from the populated areas around Glasgow. This is a secret area of spruce little villages each vying to put on the best floral displays. Most of the cottages were once mill-workers' homes as this area was also instrumental in textile production. The village of Flinty takes the prize when it comes to floral flamboyance. Named the Best Kept Small Village in Scotland several times in the past few years, one wonders at the almost fanatical zeal that must be required to turn even the pavements into blossoming walk-ways. Further west are Killearn and Drymen, two equally enticing spots with a 100ft (30m) obelisk found in front of the church manse in Killearn, commemorating George Buchanon (1506-1582) who was the tutor to King James I/VI.