This amazing and varied sculpture collection has been at the Falkirk Wheel since 2008. There are 13…read morealtogether, hand carved in granite by the sculptor, Ronald Rae, and represent 15 years of his work. They really are fascinating to see and are placed about the grassy areas not far from the Falkirk Wheel boat lift and the cafe. The largest piece is the 15 ton Tyger Tyger set on the hillside and it is animals which Ronald chiefly carves. My husband, who is blind, got a tremendous amount out of feeling these emotive statues. It's a free exhibition and often missed by people, I think, who just come to see the Wheel and don't wander a bit further away from the buildings! I'm not sure how long the exhibition will last I don't think it is necessarily permanent but it's certainly here until at least the end of the year. Ronald Rae was born in Ayr in 1946 and has been carving granite for 50 years using hand tools. He has sculptures in private and public collections in Britain and abroad. He also draws, paints and writes poetry.

For historians, even those whose knowledge of Scottish "history" (used loosely) stems from multiple…read moreviewings of Braveheart (yeah, you know who you are!), there are several sites in Stirling that are must visits. The Old Stirling Bridge is one of them; the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle being at least two others. Fortunately, Stirling isn't all that big, and you can easily walk between the three without too much effort, and you'll be rewarded with gorgeous river views, and a bit of actual historical education along the way, for your trouble. Just make sure you end up on the Old Stirling Bridge, and not the adjacent A9 overpass. It may look similar, but you wouldn't want to get run over by a lorry while daydreaming about Mel Gibson in a kilt and wielding a claymore. That would just be weird.

I thought I would have been able to walk to this while at Stirling castle but it looked quite a…read morewalk away so I optedW to snatch some quick photos while driving past on the coach which was just as thrilling for me as actually being on it and it is a stunning bridge as bridges go due to its history. Hopefully one day I might get the chance to actually stand on it, touch it, feel it but for now I'm happy to have this stunning photo.

Built in 1761, the Pineapple was a birthday present for the Earl of Dunmore's wife, Susan, daughter…read moreof the 9th Duke of Hamilton. Because nothing says 'Happy Birthday' more than an exotic fruit-topped summerhouse! Now belonging to the National Trust of Scotland, the Pineapple really is an odd sight to see. The building itself is large and regal; the pineapple on top the evident show stealer. It is every bit as eccentric as it sounds and really worth the trip to visit and wander the grounds. When we visited during a group cycle, there was some ongoing maintenance at the front of the building. But this was alright. - We could still see the pineapple! You can rent out the Pineapple which I imagine would be quite the experience. I like to think that, back in the day, it was host to some epic Gatsby-esque parties, sipping on gin and partying like it's 1761. Because when faced with several invitations, I've no doubt that it was this pineapple adorned estate which people chose to rock up at. I wish I could time-travel back to see! Why did the exotic fruit-on-house thing never catch on? I'd totally want a mango-adorned house.

Beautiful house & well kept gardens & nature pond.read more

The Steeple is the main landmark in Falkirk, seen at its best from the High Street itself, and was…read moredesigned by the architect David Hamilton. It stands 140ft high and was erected in 1814, actually replacing two previous steeples. The town has had a steeple for 400 years. The current steeple was struck by lightning in 1927 and the top 30 feet collapsed, scattering rubble over a large area. Some of it fell through a nearby house burying people until they were rescued they survived despite broken bones! Unfortunately a horse standing underneath the steeple wasn't so lucky and was killed outright. The steeple was later rebuilt. Inside there are four levels. The ground floor is the Town Hall box office. Above are two prison cells although the steeple hasn't been used as a prison for a long time. This elegant classically-styled Steeple is listed as an ancient monument and as such is well looked after. The sandstone has been cleaned in recent years, restoring it to its original colour. Must be seen if you are visiting the area actually it's hard to miss if you're in the town centre!

I agree with the previous reviewer wholeheartedly. Ross Priory is one of the most overlooked…read morebuildings in Scotland. It is absolutely incredible. A must for visitors to Glasgow. Even the drink prices at the bar are reasonable. The only problem is, the priory is not anywhere near a train station. So you bring your car or get a train to Balloch then a taxi.

Beautiful architecture, a perfect setting, and several guest rooms make this a sublime wedding…read morevenue on Loch Lomond.

Rainbow Bridge is an integral feature of the Art Park. Located within the grounds of House For An…read moreArt Lover, the park was completed in 2008. I dig bridges, and few more so than this one. I've spent many an hour playing on it with my nieces and nephew - the kids love the perspex, multicoloured panels - they rotate and provide a great opportunity to play hide and seek. I'd highly recommend a visit - especially to burn off some of the kids energy!

These spectacular Italianate buildings (splendid both inside and out) were finished in 1886 and the…read morebeautiful Victoria Tower (75m in height) can be seen dominating the skyline from many parts of the town. Unfortunately, the Municipal Buildings remain uncompleted to this day as a local man, Robert Cowan, refused to sell his business in front of the tower. As a result, the shop was inserted into one corner but was destroyed during a bombing raid in 1941, leaving the unusual effect still seen today. The bricks are different to the rest and this area has become known as 'Cowan's Corner'. These days the Municipal Buildings include the Town Hall and various Council offices. There are a few parking spaces nearby but it's very difficult to find a space. However, there is a large public car park only about 5 minutes walk away.

I'd normally start by telling you a little about the history. There's just way too much to…read moresummarize here. Just know that the castle was once in ruin like the others in the area. We can thank George Stuart (14th Earl of Moray) for repairing it by adding a new roof in the 1880s. That makes it very worth the £10 admission fee for an inside tour of the castle. It's worth a stop even if you don't plan on taking the tour. Have you ever seen the British comedy, Monty Python and the Holy Grail? It's the castle that you see in the funniest part of the movie when the French soldier is taunting King Arthur. There were other movie scenes filmed in and around the castle as well. What's cool is that there's a free transcript of the audio guide on their website that tells you where all the scenes took place. It was fun just to retrace the steps of the Trojan Rabbit on the pathway in front of the entrance. So funny! It's definitely a dry & satirical form of humor that I didn't quite understand the first time I saw it, but now I do. Duone Castle was also seen in Game of Thrones (the pilot episode) and Outlander. It's just a great filming location since it's out of the way, and along the River Teith. There are walking trails that will take you to the site of where a Roman fort used to be. The village is also nearby if you want to get a bite to eat. It was a nice stop on our way to Glencoe.

We were staying in the area for a few days. Didn't have much time though, got lots of plans. But…read morestill made some time to check out the famous Doune Castle. And since we are members of Historic Environment Scotland the entrance was free of charge. The carpark was full though - so we parked on the public lot behind the Co-op in town. An easy 10 minute walk away. The Castle is famous - many will know it from Game of Thrones or Outlander. But for me - and many many others - it will always be connected to Monty Python and the Holy Grail! The Audio-guide is even narrated by Terry Jones! The way the castle looks today is largely down to 'Scotland's uncrowned king'. Doune was the seat of Robert Stewart, the 1st Duke of Albany and Governor of Scotland. He acquired the castle in 1361. What we see today is probably only half a castle. Whether Doune was completed, and what might have been lost, is unclear. But even what remains today is very impressive and in great shape. If you do not feel like paying the entrance, you still can enjoy the outside views and even walk around it or enjoy the grounds outside. But going in (we took turns - since we were travelling with our Bulldog) is well worth the price and time. Monty Python used the exterior for shots as well as the interior. The courtyard inside is where the wedding party was taking place with John Cleese (as Lancelot) going berserk. But there's a lot more to see inside. Besides all the big halls inside, there are lots of small corners and hideaways to be discovered. As well as a lot of history to read (or listen to). A really good visit and not to be missed for fans or history buffs! Staff was wonderful, really friendly and welcoming. Surely a highlight on this years Road Trip through the UK. Highly recommended.

The monument was another one of our stops during our drive through Stirling…read more The parking lot was quite large and quite busy for an April morning. The ticket counter was inside a small building with the cafe, gift shop and bathrooms. Getting to the monument was via a gravel path or a free van ride. I went up via the van and wandered down in my own afterwards. The van saved my calves for the stair climb to the top of the monument. At the base of the monument I had to check in and show my ticket. I had to wait before a staff member gave the clear to start the climb up. The rest of the way was on our own with most of us giving way to the people coming down. There were three levels inside. The highlights were the details about the battle of Stirling Bridge, William Wallace and seeing his original sword. At the top I took advantage of the clear and sunny day to take my panorama photos. Beautiful. I also saw the battle site and understood how easily the British were defeated. The walk down the monument was easy and so was the walk down to the parking lot. For fans and non-fans of Braveheart this was a great stop to see in Scotland.

William Wallace, the hero of Scotland. What a great story I have to "tale" from my adventure!…read more Admission tickets can be bought online or onsite. This allows you access to the four levels within the Monument. It's a heck of a climb via a 246-step spiral staircase. No whimps allowed! It's a tight squeeze going up or down! There are three exhibition galleries on the way to the top. At the Crown, there is a 380 degree view of Stirling. What an amazing view, regardless of the weather! Most of us have heard the story of Wallace's betrayal by Monteith at Robroyston, and his subsequent removal to London to be executed for alleged treason by the most barbarous method possible. Wallace was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. This was an English ritual that ensured that the "guilty" could not rise again on Judgement Day - vengeance for Wallace even beyond the grave. Wallaces head was spiked on London Bridge, and the four quarters of his mutilated body displayed in Newcastle, Berwick, Perth and Stirling, as a warning to those who transgressed against the rule of Longshanks. No final resting place for Scotland's best-known hero. Following Wallace's execution and dismemberment, one quarter of his mutilated body was displayed on the repaired and rebuilt Stirling Bridge. No doubt this was thought by the English overlords to be a fitting place to show off their grim trophy. This is where the legend begins! Wallace had links through his uncle to the monks at Cambuskenneth. At that time, the church was far more militant and church leaders (and no doubt their subordinates) were fiercely loyal to Scotland and to the cause of freedom. The legend states that a group of monks from the Abbey retrieved the remains of Wallace's body. The intention was to give Wallace a Christian burial. It is said they did, telling no-one outside the Abbey. This would have brought fatal consequences upon the Abbey. Longshanks were known to have no regard for the Scottish Church. Cambuskenneth Abbey is, sadly, mostly ruined now, and apart from the main tower little remains bar foundations and low (ground level) walls. There is an area, where it is said that Wallace's remains were interred by the loyal monks. Although badly eroded, the initials "WW" in antique script can still be noted. A coincidence or perhaps something placed later to give substance to the legend? We will never know. Stand at the end of the stone and look out. What do you see? The stone points towards the Abbey Craigs, the scene of Wallace's greatest triumph. The massive rock on which he and De Moray stood to direct the course of the battle with their horns and trumpeters... So is it true? No-one knows, but it's a interesting story. I personally would like to think that the good monks of Cambuskenneth did their Christian duty to the relative of a friend, and helped avert at least some of Longshanks' malevolence. It's worth a visit if you are in the vicinity and you enjoy history! You can see the monument from miles around. If you don't want to see inside, park at the bottom and walk up the hill for free. Lots of things to see on the walk up or down. September 2023