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TOP 20 ATTRACTIONS IN ARGYLL, THE ISLES, LOCH LOMOND, STIRLING & TROSSACHS
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Archray Forest Drive
Aberfoyle
Visit Achray Forest Drive consisting of 7 miles of forest road that offers you an opportunity to exchange the pace of the main road for a leisurely drive through this beautiful highland scenery, while viewing wildlife and forest close at hand. Along the drive there are many parking areas where you may park your car clear of the road, to climb up a rocky knoll or picnic beside highland burn.
Details: 0131 334 0303
Argyll's Lodging
Stirling
Built by Sir William Alexander in the 17th Century this is one of the finest and most complete surviving examples of a town residence of that era. After Sir William's death the Argyll family moved in. The principle rooms such as the laigh hall, drawing room, dining room and bed chamber have all been faithfully restored and furnished as they would have been around 1680 when the 9th Earl of Argyll lived there.
Price: Adult £2.50 Child £1.00
Hours: Apr - Sep 9:30 - 18:00; Oct - Mar 9:30 - 17:00
Details: 01786 461 146
Bannockburn Heritage Centre
Glasgow Road
Stirling
FK7 0LJ
From this battlefield the Scots 'sent them homewards tae think again', when Edward II's English army was soundly defeated by King Robert the Bruce. This brought the independence for which William Wallace had also fought. The Heritage Centre Exhibition includes a large model of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, and exciting life-size figures of Wallace and Bruce. It brings to life decisive moments in Scotland's History, including the signing of the Declaration of Abroath, which inspired Thomas Jefferson when he drew up the American Declaration of Independence. An audio-visual presentation tells the dramatic story of Bruce and of the battle, with haunting sounds and images.
Price: £2.30
Hours: 1st - 31st Mar & 1st Nov - 23rd Dec 11:00 - 15:00; 1st Apr - 31st Oct 10:00 17:30 (last audio-visual show, half an hour before closing)
Details: 01786 812 664
Blair Drummond Safari Park
Near Stirling
FK9 4UR
Get a glimpse of the bush with elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers, bears, monkeys and much much more. There is also a Pets' Farm where you can meet friendly animals face to face such as penguins, donkeys, Llamas, Otters and many more. There are more than just animals here to entertain you, there is a giant astraglide, the 'Flying Fox' across the lake, adventure climbing area and pedal boats.
Price: Adult £8.00 Child £4.00
Hours: 20th Mar - 4th Oct 10:00 17:30 (last admission 16:30)
Details: 01786 841 456
Breadalbane Folklore Centre
Falls of Dochart
Killin
Overlooking the magnificent Falls of Dochart, the Breadalbane Folklore Centre gives a fascinating insight into the life and legends of Breadalbane - the 'High Country' of Scotland. Discover the magical deeds of St Fillan, the vivid history of outlawed clans, and the diverse wildlife of Breadalbane. The Centre, housed in a lovingly restored watermill, brings to life the extraordinary facts and fables that form the rich Gaelic folk traditions of the Highlands.
Price: Adult £1.50 Child £1.00 Family £3.00
Hours: Mar - May & Oct 10:00 - 17:00; June & Sep 10:00 - 18:00; July - Aug 9:30 - 18:30; Nov - Jan CLOSED Feb 10:00 - 16:00 (weekends only)
Details: 01567 820 254
Dumbarton Castle
Dumbarton
Set in the ancient capital of Strathclyde, this is the site where Mary Queen of Scots sailed to France as a child in 1548. The castle is spectacularly set on a volcanic rock overlooking the River Clyde. There are also displays in the Governor's House.
Price: Adult £1.80 Child 75p
Hours: Open all year, winter: closed Thursday afternoons and Fridays
Details: 01389 732 167
Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel
North of Oban
This very fine 13th Century castle is set on a rock with a great curtain wall. Close to the building is the remains of a chapel with beautiful architectural detail. The history of the castle stretches from the Wars of Independence to the 1845 Rising.
Price: Adult £1.80 Child 75p
Hours: Open all year, winter: closed Thursday afternoons and Fridays
Details: 01631 562 465
The Farmlife Centre
Dunaverig Farm
Ruskie
Thornhill
FK8 2QW
A great place to take the kids, this centre has a huge list of activities to entertain the family. You can pet and feed a whole host of farm animals. There are tractor rides where you are taken through fields of Highland cows and there are pony rides and an adventure playground.
Hours: Easter - Nov 10:00 - 18:00 daily
Details: 01786 850 277
Inchmahome Priory
Rothsay
Isle of Bute
Founded in 1238, this beautifully situated Augustinian priory still has much of the building surviving. After the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 a five year old Mary Queen of Scots was sent here for safety.
Price: Adult £2.80 Child £1.00
Hours: Open summer only
Details: 01877 385 294
Inveraray Jail
Church Square
Inveraray
Aygyll
This is Scotland's living 19th Century prison. It features an 1820 courthouse where you can step back and take your seat on the public benches of this historic courtroom. Eavesdrop on sensational trials held in this very room. There is the torture, death and damnation section, where you will see that before the days of prison, branding with a hot iron, ear nailing and public whippings were every day punishments. Find out more in this blood-curdling exhibition. Also there is the Old Prison set in 1820 where you can rub shoulders with the murderers and madmen who were crammed together in these eight small cells.
Hours: Apr - Oct 9:30 - 18:00 (last admission 17:00); Nov - Mar 10:00 - 17:00 (last admission 16:00)
Details: 01499 302 381
Inverary Maritime Museum
Inverary
Enjoy the fascinating collection of Clyde maritime displays, memorabilia, stunning archive film and entertaining hands-on activities gathered from far and wide on board our unique three masted schooners. You can marvel at the skill of the ancient mariner who lovingly crafted shell Valentines for his sweetheart, or engraved walrus tusks and whales teeth with the tragedies and events that touched his life.
Hours: Apr - Sep 10:00 - 18:00; Oct - Mar 10:00- 17:00
Details: 01499 302 213
The National Wallace Monument
Alloa Road
Stirling
It is practically impossible to drive around Stirling and not see the Wallace Monument. The 220ft tower dominates the surrounding plain. Take the 246 steps to the top, and you will enjoy spectacular views. At the Monument you get to understand Wallace's battle tactics at Stirling Bridge and feel some of the terror that engulfed the invaders. In the battle tent a dramatised reconstruction and a talking head of William Wallace takes you through those times. You learn the background to Wallace's beliefs and the events that shaped Scotland's history. Outside the tent you are swept into the heat of battle by a vivid combination of the spoken word, powerful images and evocative music. How did Wallace, a guerrilla fighter, outwit such a powerful force? You don't just learn it, you live it.
Price: Adult £3.25 Child £2.25 Family £9.50
Hours: Jan - Feb & Nov - Dec 10:30 - 16:00; Mar - May & Oct 10:00 - 17:00; June & Sep 10:00 - 18:00; July & Aug 9:30 - 18:30
Details: 01786 472 140
Oban Distillery
Stafford Street
Oban
Argyllshire
A visit to the distillery, which takes its name from the town where the highlands meets the islands, is a simple matter. Find the North Pier and you are there. Nestling beneath the steep cliff that overlooks Oban, one of Scotland's oldest sources of malt whisky is a stone's throw from the sea. Here you can see the distillers at work, producing a peaty malt with a whiff of the sea which accurately reflects its place of origin. A complimentary dram of the Oban malt, one of the 'Classic Malts' range, often confirms a lasting affection for both.
Hours: Mon - Fri 9:30 - 17:00
Details: 01631 572 004
Oban Seal & Marine Centre
Barcaldine
Oban
Argyll
PA37 1SE
Nestling among the pine trees on the shore of beautiful Loch Ceran, the Oban Seal and Marine Centre enjoys one of the most picturesque settings in Britain, and is a haven for some of the marine world's most enchanting creatures. Here, in crystal-clear waters you can explore over 30 fascinating natural marine habitats. There is a seal sanctuary with a busy seal pup nursery and hospital caring for dozens of stray, sickly or injured seal pups, the centre is the home to Scotland's most successful 'rear and release' scheme for abandoned common seals.
Hours: Open daily from 10:00
Details: 01631 720 386
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park
Aberfoyle
On the edge of the Highlands overlooking the Forth Valley the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. Mountains and lochs, forest and open hill ground offer opportunities for a wide range of outdoor activities as well as providing varied habitats for many wildlife species. The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park Visitor Centre is the perfect place to start a visit. It provides information and maps of the extensive system of waymarked walks and cycle trails, the scenic Achray Forest Drive, the wayfaring courses as well as car parks and picnic places.
Hours: The Visitors Centre is open from March - mid October 10:00 - 18:00
Details: 01877 382 258
The Rob Roy Story
Ancaster Square
Callender
For nearly 300 years the story of Rob Roy MacGregor has inspired authors and filmmakers. Clan leader, cattle trader, cattle thief, blackmailer - Rob Roy has provoked powerful emotions for more than three centuries. Here, at the gateway to his beautiful Trossachs homelands, you'll learn of the daring exploits that made him a hero to his own people - and Scotland's most notorious outlaw. You can meet the real Rob Roy huddled over a fire in the dead of night, above you stars twinkle in a cloudless sky You can eavesdrop on a conversation he is having with one of his clansmen. With bitter conviction he tells how his feud with the Duke of Montrose led to his being outlawed; how his lands were seized, his houses plundered - and how he is now paying back his enemies.
Price: Adult £2.75 Child £1.25 Family £6.00
Hours: Mar - May & Oct - Dec 10:00 - 17:00; June 9:30 - 18:00; July - August 9:00 - 22:00; Sep 10:00 - 18:00; Jan - Feb 11:00 - 16:30 (weekends only)
Details: 01877 330 342
The Scottish Wool Centre
Aberfoyle
Stirling
FK8 3UQ
In the heart of the Trossachs, you'll find the Scottish Wool Centre, where you can discover the story of Scottish Wool. You can also visit the Spinner's Cottage and try your hand at making wool into a yarn in the traditional way. They are situated in Aberfoyle, the gateway to one of the most beautiful areas in Scotland. Local shepherds appear on many weekends with their Border collies, to provide sheepdog demonstrations.
Price: Adult £3.00 Child £2.00 Family £6.00
Hours: Oct - Mar 10:00 - 17:00; April - Sep 9:30 - 18:30
Details: 01877 382 854
SS Sir Walter Scott Steamship
Loch Katrine
Trossachs
1999 marks the 99th year of the SS Sir Walter Scott's passenger service on the sheltered waters of Loch Katrine. A link with a gentle era, she is the last screw-driven steamship in service on Scotland's inland waters. More than a symbol, the vessel is a working part of the nation's heritage and a lasting tribute to the skills of her builders. Approaching the end of the 20th Century the SS Sir Walter Scott prepares to enter the new millennium continuing to provide pleasure for her passengers as she sails through a landscape of outstanding beauty. "The Lady of The Lake", together with Sir Walter Scott's other major works kindled an interest in all things Scottish and drew the first visitors to Loch Katrine.
Price: High Season, Adult £5.00 Child £3.75 Family £16.00; Low Season, Adult £5.00 Child £3.20 Family £14.50
Hours: High Season: 14th June - 31st August; Easter Weekend 2nd - 5th Apr; September Weekend 24th - 27th Sep 11:00, 13:45 & 15:45 daily. Low season: 29th Mar - 13 June, 1st Sep - 24th Oct Sep 11:00, 13:45 & 15:45 daily
Details: 01877 376316
Stirling Castle
Stirling
 The mighty Royal Castle of Stirling towers above some of the most important battlefields in Scotland's history; including William Wallace's victory over the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297 and Robert the Bruce's defeat of the same foe at Bannockburn in 1314. Time and time again Stirling Castle was besieged, relieved and then besieged once again during the Scottish struggle against domination by the English. Stirling Castle is closely bound with the life of the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots. She spent her childhood in the castle. Mary's coronation took place in the Chapel Royal in 1543 and she narrowly escaped death by fire in 1561.
Price: Adult £5.00 Child £1.50
Hours: Apr - Sep 9:30 - 18:00; Oct - Mar 9:30 - 17:00
Details: 01786 450 000
Stirling Old Town Jail
St. John Street
Stirling
FK8 1EA
For 400 years Stirling's prisoners had been kept in the old Tolbooth Jail. It was a wretched, overcrowded, stinking and extremely unhealthy place. Amidst pressure for improvement and Prison Reform, a new purpose design jail was opened in 1847. Today you can put yourself into the prisoner's shoes and discover what life must have been like behind bars, up to 150 years ago.
Price: Adult £3.00 Child £2.25 Family £8.50
Hours: Apr - Sep 9:30 - last admission 17:30; Oct 9:30 - last admission 16:30, Nov - Mar 9:30 - last admission 15:30
Details: 01786 450 050
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REGIONAL INTRODUCTION GOLF WINING & DINING
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