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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Please tell me your best places to visit within 2 ish hours of Stirling!

39 replies

Edenmum2 · 16/12/2025 22:02

Going to Scotland this week with my toddler (and DH and older sisters) and just wondered if there were any hidden gems we should be visiting I may not have heard about. We are based in Stirling and have planned a day in Edinburgh, and then 2 days to explore the landscapes. We love a road trip and nature, any waterfalls, just amazing scenery or anything in particular that kids love (easy to get to castles, or wildlife spots would be great)

Also we would loooove to see some snow. Really, really would. I know it will involve driving to higher ground (considering driving to the cairngorms and going up on the lift) but if anyone has any tips that would be amazing.

Tia

OP posts:
WhatDoRacoonsSay · 16/12/2025 23:37

With a toddler, in December, that's downright dangerous.

Redwinedaze · 16/12/2025 23:40

If you go the the Kelpies go as the sun is setting it’s really pretty. Not sure if the little canal ride and wheel is working this time of year. People getting daft about the weather. 🤣

minerva7 · 16/12/2025 23:48

The Hermitage is beautiful to walk around and has a stunning waterfall. 30/40 min drive approx from Stirling, and very near Dunkeld which has also been suggested here. I’d recommend both.
https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/the-hermitage

The Hermitage

Walk through towering Douglas firs to the folly of Ossian’s Hall, and gaze over the falls

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/the-hermitage

Spudthespanner · 16/12/2025 23:50

WhatDoRacoonsSay · 16/12/2025 23:37

With a toddler, in December, that's downright dangerous.

You’d think OP had asked for tips travelling to the North Pole. How is it dangerous?

OP I recommend the Edinburgh zoo lantern walk. Also Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is good with toddlers as there is a choice of multiple walks of varying difficulty, lots of interesting features and play equipment dotted about for kids, and red squirrel hides too. Perthshire is beautiful- recommend the hidden garden railway, and Active Kids for kid friendly things to do there.

Springonionsoup · 17/12/2025 00:08

WhatDoRacoonsSay · 16/12/2025 23:37

With a toddler, in December, that's downright dangerous.

A mild winter visit to the central belt? Grin

NarwhalBuddy · 17/12/2025 11:49

It’s going to be quite wet and damp, OP.
But I second the Kelpies and going to Callander.
not sure you will see snow. You might if you go to the Cairngorms but I think you’d be better filling your few days with nice walks and good food, drinks and company. Hopefully you all have a nice time

WhatDoRacoonsSay · 17/12/2025 12:20

Springonionsoup · 17/12/2025 00:08

A mild winter visit to the central belt? Grin

Climbing Ben Lomond, the post I quoted didn't attach!
The central belt is indeed perfectly safe at all times of year.

Colinthedaxi · 17/12/2025 12:40

I did this walk, all be it in the summer at crack of dawn, and loved it.

www.corbenicpoetrypath.com/

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 18/12/2025 09:04

I didn't mean climbing ben lomond. It was just a relatively close place to maybe see snow. And I did say only go if you're an experienced hiker with decent winter gear.
Ben lomond has nice short trails on flattish ground and I went there a lot as a child.

SheinIsShite · 18/12/2025 09:07

Pitlochry, St Andrews/East Neuk of Fife, Balloch, Luss and Loch Lomond. Just for starters.

MiddleAgedDread · 18/12/2025 09:45

The Hermitage / Dunkeld / Pitlochry / Aberfeldy
www.walkhighlands.co.uk for walking routes
Loch Lomond is within an hour too

LittlePotteryBird · 18/12/2025 09:56

In the area we have enjoyed;

The red squirrel hide in Queen Elizabeth Park, Aberfoyle, with its great visitor centre and fabulous cafe! There are waterfalls too

Argaty Red Kites - where you watch from a hide as dozens of red kites swoop down right in front of you to feed on meat! They also have beavers and other wildlife to see https://argatyredkites.co.uk/

Bannockburn visitor centre

Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow is marvellous and has a great park with ducks next to it

Argaty Red Kites

Rewilding Experiences in the Heart of Scotland

https://argatyredkites.co.uk/

LittlePotteryBird · 18/12/2025 10:00

Also the train ride to Fort William on the West Highland Line is an unforgettable experience. The scenery is mind blowing, and you get to keep warm and cosy! Fort William is lovely with cosy pubs and a nice little museum, and you get a good view of Ben Nevis.

outdooryone · 19/12/2025 09:56

There is so much scenery near Stirling that you do not need to travel as far as you think - we are on the border of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park.

Scenery: head out to Loch Katrine via Callander and back via Aberfoyle.

Callander: go visit Bracklin Falls - basically a short mainly flat walk out of the carpark to the east of Callander. Marked on maps, easy to find. Callander itself will be half closed, but a lovely spot. Great cafe at Ben Ledi Coffee and superb bakery at Mhor.
You then head out via loch Venechar and the Great Trossachs Forest - lovely place, worth a stop at Brig O'Turk and walk up through the village towards the Glen Finglas Dam.

At Loch Katrine visitor centre / pier there is a short walk from the car park at the steamer up to a wonderful viewpoint, or just along the loch itself on the flat tarmac (private) road without traffic.

The way out will take you over the Trossachs road - take time to stop and look at the views, including the start of the (closed for the season) Forest Road. David Marshall lodge is great, decent cafe, lovely short walk to a cracking waterfall even in bad weather. With a load of kiddy play things on the way around.

Then onto Aberfoyle, but turn west towards Loch Ard. Ard feels like Canada....worth going along to the parking at the community hall at Kinlochard as the view is great. Aberfoyle has a few nice shops and worth a stop.

Then as you return back towards Stirling you will pass the only lake in Scotland - the Lake of Mentieth, and some lovely villages, finally the ace farm shop, cafe and kids play area at Blair Drummond Smiddy. You could also go via Doune again, where you can wander around the castle, famous for Outlander, Game of Thrones and Monty Python.

Second day I would also head north on a big loop - head to Killin (Falls of Dochart, lovely walks, properly HUUGE highland scenery) where you are most likely to see snow as Ben Lawers towers over the village and is 10th highest hill in Scotland and site of an old ski resort. Then along Loch Tay, if you have good weather and feel brave head over to Bridge of Balgie (ace shop and cafe) and travel down Glen Lyon which is the Longest, Loveliest and Lonliest glen in Scotland. From here you end up at Fortingall (one of the oldest trees on earth), and turn north again for the hop over to Loch Tummel. Take the north shore of Tummel to stop at Queens view, on to Pitclochry which is a modest sized spa town and will still be busy. As you head south you will stop at the Hermitage for a brilliant short walk in the trees (tallest in the UK) and sheltered from weather, finally popping into Dunkeld to explore the lovely bakery, cafe and riverside views...More driving than day 1.

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