Brig O'Turk

A small village, Brig o'Turk is situated on the 'Trossachs Trail', 24 miles (38.6 km) north west of Stirling. Overlooking the village are the peaks of Ben Venue and Ben A'n and nearby are Lochs Venachar and Achray. The name Brig o' Turk derives from Gaelic and means wild boar. This species was also driven to extinction, and whether it will be re-introduced like the red kite remains to be seen! Glen Finglas is reached through the village, which also has an excellent tea shop and plenty of B&B accommodation.   

Callander Craigs

These Craigs tower above Callander, the gateway to the highlands. Working with the town’s community groups, Forestry Commission Scotland have developed walks from Callander up to the Craigs. As well as brilliant views of the surrounding countryside, these provide a wonderful look-out for spotting buzzards, kestrels, sparrowhawks and even merlin in the summer months.

                                                                                                                Thornhill

A hillside village, situated at the centre of a farming community 7 miles (11.2 km) west of Dunblane. It is a linear village with long gardens extending down to former commons on the north and south sides of the village. The land at Thornhill used to be peatbog but was drained by the "Moss Lairds" and is now referred to as 'the hay basket of Scotland'.

                                                                                                                Doune

An historic village on the River Teith, Doune lies at the heart of red kite country. This is where the central Scotland kite re-introduction began. It is now part of the most successful bird re-introduction programme in the world! Argaty Red Kites is reached through the village, and is 3 kilometres to the north. Doune Castle lies at its eastern end of the village and is famous, amongst other things, for being used as a location in Monty Python’s film ‘The Holy Grail’. The village has a craft shop, tea room, accommodation and an information centre and shop at the Kilmadock Trust. 

                                                                                                                Inversnaid

This RSPB Scotland nature reserve is set on the east shore of Loch Lomond. It protects woodland that rises steeply from the shores of the loch and then gives way to open moorland.  In the summer, pied flycatchers and redstarts breed here, along with resident birds.  Buzzards nest on the crags in the wood and golden eagles and peregrine can sometimes be seen on the moorland.

There is a path through the woodland, but it is steep and rugged in places and is therefore not suitable for pushchairs or those with limited mobility.

Inversnaid can be reached by car or by daily post buses from Aberfoyle and minibuses from Callander and Aberfoyle. The bus stop for these is at Inversnaid Hotel is about 0.5 miles/0.8 km from the reserve.

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