Things to see and do Central & West Coast

Founded in the ^13th century on an island in the Lake of Menteith, Inchmahome Priory is accessible by a small ferry from the village of Port of Menteith. The crossing is included in the ticket, which allows you to visit this historic site that saw the passage of King Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. Now partially in ruins, it still retains a certain charm, thanks to its location and its stones carved in the chapter house. This haven of peace is worth taking the time to walk around and discover its secrets.

Few buildings are as central to Scottish history as this one. The earliest written records date back to the ^12th century, when King Alexander ^I had a chapel built here. It would appear that he made it the seat of his power, as it was here that he died before his successor, David ^I, consecrated the town as a royal burgh . By the time Alexander III died in 1286, it was a major administrative and strategic center. When Edward ^I of England invaded the country in 1296, he found the fortress abandoned and placed a garrison there, which was dislodged the following year by Andrew Moray and William Wallace. The following summer, the English victory at Falkirk forced the Independents to abandon the city, before taking it back in 1299. However, they lost it again in 1304, when the English deployed 17 siege engines. Their new monarch, Edward II, was unable to protect Stirling, which came under the authority of Robert, since crowned King of Scots, after the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The city was English from 1236 to 1242, before falling into the hands of the future Robert II, guaranteeing its Scottish future. The country being finally pacified, the Stuarts built a real palace there and multiplied the works during the Renaissance. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned queen there before her departure for the French court. She made a habit of visiting it regularly and had her newborn son, James, the future sovereign of Scotland and England, baptized there and spent his childhood there. Following the Union of the two crowns in 1603, Stirling's role declined sharply and the castle became primarily a defensive place during the religious troubles. Today, a visit to the castle takes you back to this rich and eventful past.

To see: We discover the historic chapel, the impressive Great Hall, but also the royal palace. The apartments of the queen and the king are of great beauty. Do not miss the kitchens, the tapestry exhibition and the Regimental Museum of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. All brought to life by a costumed staff, as well as free guided tours every hour between 10am and 5pm.

Will you see the ghosts of the castle? It is said that ghosts would live here... One would be dressed as a Highlander, in a kilt, and that he could approach visitors to talk to them and would disappear immediately. In other versions, visitors would think of a guide, would approach him and he would vanish into thin air. One also speaks about a green lady..

Here, we boast about taking its time in the manufacture of malt. Between Glasgow and Loch Lomond there are several types of visits, the shortest of which lasts 45 minutes and ends with a Glengoyne dram 12 years old. This distillery opened its doors in 1833 and has the particularity of producing a Highland whisky, which matured in the Lowlands, its production site being horse between the two regions.

Home of the Dukes of Argyll, this romantic neo-gothic castle is the fruit of the genius of William Adam and Roger Morris. Built between 1745 and 1790, it stands on 6.5 hectares of gardens in the centre of a 24,000 hectare estate. Its great beauty earned it the right to serve as the setting for an episode of the Downtown Abbey series. In addition to its finely furnished and ornamented rooms, it contains more than 1,300 weapons. You will admire the rich State Dining Room and the Tapestry Drawing Room. Stroll through the beautiful gardens and enjoy a snack in the elegant, traditional tearoom.

Founded in 1794, this distillery is one of the only ones you will find in the city centre of a very touristic destination, which makes it a must-see during a visit to Oban. Its production site has never really expanded for lack of space and the techniques are faithful to the principles of this fascinating industry. The £12 tour is particularly complete and informative and includes a first tasting of the whisky, directly from the cask, and a second one, once the product is bottled. You will discover the 14 year old, which goes remarkably well with ginger and dark chocolate. This single malt no longer has any followers in the world, thanks to an identity between sea and land, which is found in its iodized, fruity and slightly smoky flavours. Two other visits are proposed to the most passionate: the "Exclusive Distillery Tour" of 2 hours, with discovery of the warehouses and tastings, and the "Distillery Manager's Tour & Tasting" with the site manager.

The site is also very pleasant to visit even without a guided tour, with a shop where you can bottle an exclusive whisky yourself, and engrave your bottle to make it unique. Upstairs, the bar area offers an exhibition on the history of Oban and its distillery, and plunges you into the atmosphere of an old rigging. Here you can taste the Oban whisky of your choice or try the cocktails. Why not the old fashioned Oban: Oban 14, syrup, bitter and ice cubes? Or the Oban Hot Toddy: Oban 14, honey, spices, hot orange juice?

To visit Dunollie is to visit 3 sites. First, Dunollie Castle: its ruins, with a last renovation completed in 2019, offer a superb panoramic view on the Oban bay. Then the house-museum: a house from 1745 where each room has been renovated and fitted out to display old objects (^19th century) testifying to the daily life of its occupants. From the kitchen to the children's rooms, we discover everything about the life of a family in the 1800s. The museum also tells the story of the MacDougall clan and, through their epic story, traces the history of Scotland. Then, the park: its course invites to better understand the various invasions which marked the history of Scotland. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the civilization and mythology of the Vikings.

Regularly during the school vacations, the site offers practical and manual workshops of 1 hour for children (£5), which can be an excellent idea to familiarize them with English. There is also the possibility to follow a guided tour at no extra cost or to organize specific visits: adapted to children, focusing on the discovery of the gardens, taking a closer look at the old textiles..

You can have lunch, a picnic or a snack on the spot, thanks to The Kettle café and its menu, made of home-made products, very tasty and at mini prices.

A member of the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, this garden is home to rare and magnificent species, just like its southern neighbours: Logan and Dawyck gardens. On its 121 hectares of protected land, you can admire some 300 species of rhododendrons, gigantic giant redwoods and some trees that are more than 150 years old. Bhutan, Chile and Tasmania have real small enclaves of their flora here, and there is also a coffee shop on site.

For information on the national park.

Four hours at least are necessary to reach the top of this mountain which offers a spectacular view on the loch. The route is well marked and the gradient, a little steep at the beginning, evolves then more gently, until the 974 m of the summit. The hike is accessible and very popular, and among the classics to climb for Munros collectors. However, caution is advised: the summit can be very windy and rainy, and therefore slippery and dangerous. Only attempt the climb with good equipment and in good physical condition!

Erected in 1869, this superb 67m tower is dedicated to none other than the famous national hero of the 13th century: Sir William Wallace. It was made possible thanks to a fund-raising campaign in the midst of the resurgence of Scottish identity. Its elaborate Victorian Gothic style contrasts with the very modern University of Stirling, at the bottom of the hill from which it dominates the surroundings. It is said to have been here that the fierce warrior watched Edward I's army set off before the Battle of Stirling Bridge on 11 September 1297. Climbing the 246 steps to the top offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area. The visit also allows you to see the weapons used in the battle against the English, some busts of great Scottish names and the sword of Wallace himself.

Good to know : Access to the monument (outside) is entirely free. A free parking is available at the bottom of the site and you can go up by following a path that goes through the woods or the small road, only used by the site shuttle. The site alone offers magnificent panoramas.

Guided tours with actors: In high season, guided tours are offered by actors in costume. All year round, conferences and animations are programmed.

Legends Coffee House: To refresh yourself and regain your strength after walking to the monument, let yourself be tempted by the Legends Coffee House. It's cosy and everything is local.

This 358 m mountain is accessible from the village park. Some 2 hours walk to climb and enjoy a splendid view of this part of Loch Lomond punctuated by many small Wooded islands. A good alternative for who would be intimidated by the climb of Ben Lomond!

Despite its military activity during the Wars of Independence and the War of the Three Kingdoms, Doune Castle has remained almost intact and has been used in several film shoots, such as the Holy Grail of Monty Python or, more recently, theGame of Thrones series, in which it was sometimes used as a set at Winterfell, as well as the Outlander series. It was the home of Robert Stuart, Duke of Albany. Son of King Robert II and brother of King Robert III, he was regent of the country during his father's illness and held the reins of power during his brother's reign.

Raised in the 13th century, this medieval building is one of the oldest stone castles in the country. Placed at the mouth of Loch Linnhe, it was the work of the Earls McDougall, before passing into the hands of the Campbell clan in the 15th century. Besieged by Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence, it is a witness to the history of the country. Very well preserved, it offers to see imposing walls, the remains of its great hall and the residences of the new house, as well as a chapel. Climb the ramparts to embrace a superb view!

The church, in itself, is quite simple and uncluttered. In the cemetery of this church there are beautifully carved stelae and Celtic crosses. It is moreover the cemetery that attracts visitors, who admire the engraved stones, some of which are particularly old: 15th or 16th century. Some have been restored and are displayed in the church, others in a dedicated space within the cemetery and others still remain on the ground.

Perched on an island in the middle of Loch Laich, a cove in Loch Linnhe, this fortress was built in the 14th century by the McDougall clan and was used for the filming of a scene from the Monthy Python film, Sacred Grail (1975). Tours last about two hours, including the boat trip, and are led by the Stewart Allward family, the current owner of the site. You can also enjoy the superb view of the castle from the Castle Stalker View café, which offers a breathtaking view of the building, or by walking a few metres towards the shore.

This walk takes you to the top of the mysterious and mythical Doon Hill, reputed to be the cradle of the fairytale world. It is here, by the way, that Reverend Kirk is said to have received the elfshot. The magic is here and legend lovers will love walking these trails. The 6.5 km hike takes 2 hours and passes near the cemetery where the Reverend is buried, before climbing through a hardwood and venturing into the forest. The place being associated with the existence of fairies, keep your eyes open and let yourself be carried away by the fairytale of the place!

It is possible to reach Davaar Island on foot and at low tide during a short hike of 6.5 km, without big difference in altitude. You can explore the sea caves, including the famous crucifixion painting. You then reach the lighthouse further north. The itinerary is available for free on the walkhighlands.co.uk website.

Caution : This hike can only be done at low tide, otherwise you may get stuck. Make sure you get the information you need before leaving!

More than 35 birds of all sizes live on the shores of Loch Lomond at the Bird of Prey Centre. Owls, eagles, falcons, hawks, buzzards and kestrels can be seen up close and personal in their daily lives. Several species are quite rare and some activities can be reserved in advance. A must for all lovers of our winged friends. Be careful, the openings can depend on the weather conditions.

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum holds in its collections some 40,000 objects and works of art - paintings, photographs, sculptures, and miscellaneous art objects - representing Stirling around the world and showing what Stirling is all about. Three galleries alternate temporary exhibitions. You may meet Oswald Clingan-Smith, the master cat, in the museum spaces or in the library. The place also has a café and a shop.

Created in 2015, this distillery opened its doors to the public in spring 2019. It invites you to discover how gin is made through 3 visits. They will show you the premises, the manufacturing techniques, the perfect recipe for gin and tonic and will allow you to taste one or more drinks, depending on the formula chosen. The guided tours are special in that they also tell you about Stirling, its history and its legends: that of the Red Cap and the Green Lady in particular. You can also follow a 2-hour workshop to distill your gin.