STIRLING NORTH AND NORTH-WEST

Take the A9(T) exit North from Stirling crossing the 1833 road bridge, with the 15^th century Old Bridge, now pedestrianised, on your left.  LEFT filter at the traffic lights beyond the bridge, parking to your left.  Causewayhead Road leads towards the Wallace Monument.  Divert from route, taking 2^nd exit from roundabout and zigzagging up to Monument car park.  Main route takes 1^st exit to Bridge of Allan developed largely as a 19^th century spa town.  Continue through, past Lecropt Church with its wide view and on to Keir roundabout.  Take 4^th exit to Dunblane (dual carriageway).  AFTER THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS turn second LEFT and then on to the Town Centre and to the Cathedral, Museum and nearby Leighton Library.  Street parking and car park to rear of Cathedral.  Return by one-way system to dual carriageway at the Fourways roundabout.  (Divert via 2^nd exit,  Glen Road, to visit Clan MacRae Memorial at the site of the indecisive Battle of Sheriffmuir (1715).  Main route follows dual carriageway downhill, 3rd exit, to the traffic lights, and then follow the RIGHT turning signs for Doune (A820).

Entering Doune, cross the bridge and immediately turn LEFT (difficult access) for 14^th century Doune Castle, favourite hunting seat of the Stewart kings and now frequently used as a ‘stand-in’ in mock historical films.  Return to the A820 and turn LEFT.  (Diversion to RIGHT immediately after church tower, ,signpost ‘Nature Trail’ brings you to Doune Ponds – lots of wild life and tree lined walks.)  At junction with A84 (T) turn RIGHT and in one mile on RIGHT Scottish Antiques and Arts Centre. 

On leaving Antiques Centre turn LEFT on the A84(T) towards and then past Doune descending to cross the River Teith by a two-arched bridge.

 A)        Take the first road on your RIGHT to visit Deanston village.  Built to house workers for the water powered cotton mill which is now a distillery.

 B)            Continue on A84 (T) back towards Stirling for about 2 miles and look for sign on LEFT indicating Blairdrummond Safari Park.  Return to Stirling on A84(T).

 C)                From the bridge over the River Teith take the 2nd RIGHT for Thornhill (B826).  Drive through Thornhill.  At the far end of the village main street bear RIGHT then bear LEFT.  The drive continues for 6 miles to Port of Menteith where the B8034 on the LEFT gives access, past the hotel and church, to a car park and pier on the Lake of Menteith.  Scotland’s only lake.  A 10 minute boat ride takes you to Inchmahome Island with its ruined priory which offered brief refuge to Mary Queen of Scots where she was a young girl.  There are walks and picnic spots on the island.  Turn RIGHT on leaving the car park and on the meandering road look out for road side parking and another small car park.  Lakeside picnic areas and short walks are available.  Continue south on the B8034 to Arnprior and turn LEFT onto the A811 to Stirling.  You may wish to divert through Kippen and/or Gargunnock, both of which have picturesque corners and fine views northwards.  The approach to Stirling is along the Dumbarton Road below the frowning cliffs of the Castle crag.

 VISITOR ATTRACTIONS