Rampant Scotland Directory!

Tourism - Central Scotland

Scotland has a population of only 5 million - but the majority of them live here in the central lowlands of the country. And there are plenty of tourist attractions ranging from "Braveheart" country around Stirling, Rob Roy MacGregor's home area in the Trossachs and the Burns country in Ayrshire.

Other areas and aspects in the Rampant Scotland site of interest to the virtual tourist include:



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National Trust for Scotland

The National Trust looks after a wide range of properties around Scotland. The Web pages give brief description of each one, together with opening times and a (small) illustration. The Trust properties covering Central Scotland include:

Argyll, the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and Trossachs Tourist Board

Apart from having such a long title, this is an excellent introduction in words and pictures to the tourist heart of Scotland. And when you see the areas covered (below) it is little wonder that they needed such a long title!

Bridges in Britain

A Japanese site with an active map of the UK leading to illustrations of all the main bridges. The Scottish bridges covered in Central Scotland are:

Edinburgh - And Beyond and Glasgow - And Beyond

Looking for ideas for places of interest to visit in Edinburgh and Glasgow and surrounding area? Here are two DVDs that take these cities as their starting point, covering both the rich history of Scotland's Capital and another on the sights of Scotland's largest city. The DVDs also take you on a journey from Edinburgh to such locations as Stirling, Fife, Perth, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders or from Glasgow to Inveraray, The Trossachs, Culross in Fife and the Falkirk Wheel (to name just some of the places covered). Their Web site features a slide show of some of the images and short video clips to convince you that you should purchase the full product.

Central SMT Buses

There is a brief introduction to the company that was Central SMT and why its memory lives on, plus its history, merger with Kelvin and then privatisation. There is an overview of Central territory, routes into Glasgow, classic Central destinations, tickets, fares and timetables. And of course there are details of the buses used and a gallery of photographs of the Central fleet down the years.

Places to Visit in Scotland

Part of an extensive feature on this site covering places to visit across all of Scotland, the places in Perthshire which are described and illustrated include:

Angus and City of Dundee Tourist Board

This is my style of web page for tourists - virtual or otherwise - these pages make you want to go and see the reality. Lots of attractive pages with many illustrations (including some "panoramas") of all the main towns and villages in the county, including:

In the section of the site covering the many beautiful Glens in Angus there are pages on the following attractive places:

Dundee Search

Dundee Search is a city portal, visitor guide and local search engine all rolled into one. Packed with all the latest Dundee information and resources, the site caters for locals, visitors and tourists alike. Sections include Eating Out, Dundee Pubs & Clubs, What's On, Attractions & Tours, photo gallery.

Dundee Information Guide

An information guide for visitors and locals to the the "City of Discovery"; attractions, activities, parks, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, business and travel information etc.

Dundee City Council

Sets out business opportunities, further education and training in the city as well as a street map.

Dundee from Law Hill is a video camera on top the hill which overlooks Dundee and the river Tay. But unlike many other fixed videocams which are as interesting as watching paint dry, this system allows you to pan round 360 degrees and to zoom in and out. Just make sure you arrive in Dundee in daylight hours!

Elsewhere, there is more basic information about Dundee.

Information on tourism, particularly golf and Tayside Maps are available at another Web site.

Tayside - a Maritime History

An online database of information on voyages and mariners from 16/19th century shipping logs plus other information on maritime heritage for Tayside. It is still in the construction phase, so a lot more information on people, places, and artefacts will be added over the coming months, including a lot more images.

Discovery Point

About the restoration of Captain Scott's "Discovery", the exhibition and special effects which recreate the voyages of the Royal Research Ship Discovery, built in Dundee to take Captain Scott to Antarctica. There are pages on Antartica and a biography of Captain Robert Falcon Scott himself.

Verdant Works - the story of "Jutepolis"

The story of the jute works at Verdant (now an award-winning tourist attraction with original working machinery, computer displays and film show), the story of jute and a background to the social history of Dundee when it was the world centre for the manufacture of jute.

Caird Hall

The Caird Hall Complex is located in the heart of the City of Dundee, overlooking the pedestrianised City Square. Behind its doric columns are facilities for events as well as providing a reception, social and exhibition area in a range of rooms and halls. The Caird Hall is multi-functional and can be used as a seated or standing venue or an exhibition area of 920 square metres.

Caledonian Railway

This preservation organisation in Angus runs steam and deisel trains between the Victorian terminus at Brechin and Bridge of Dun (a junction on the former Strathmore main line and a frequent stopping point for Royal Trains). The railway has a fleet of seven steam engines and eight diesel locomotives and a museum. The site provides pages on history, events, train timetable and a photo gallery.

Arbroath Home Page

Plenty of tourist information and offers of help to trace email addresses of people in Arbroath or tracing family or business connections. The local information pages describe the ruined Abbey and the ornate Keptie Pond and harbour. And of course Arbroath is home to the famous Arbroath Smokie.

Brechin - The Ancient City

An extensive set of pages on the this Angus city, including Location Maps and History of Brechin including the origin of the name and ancient maps of Brechin. There is an extensive photo gallery and the tourism attractions include Brechin Cathedral and Round Tower.

Kinnettles Parish near Forfar

Kinnettles Heritage Group promotes the study and conservation of the life, heritage and history of the parish of Kinnettles. The Kinnettles site features the relevant pages of the Statistical Accounts of Scotland which were written by the ministers of the time. There are also pages of local news and links to sites in Dundee/Angus.

Montrose Air Station Museum, Angus

Details of the museum and a collection of photographs illustrating some of the history of aviation in the area.

Scone Palace

Scone Palace is the family seat of the Earls of Mansfield and nearby Moot Hill was the ancient crowning place of the Kings of Scots and the original site of the Stone of Destiny. The Palace is a major tourist attraction as well as a popular venue for hospitality and high quality private functions. The Web site has lots of illustrations of the Palace, both inside and out.

Perthshire Tourist Board Official Web Site

Individual pages on the City of Perth itself plus Aberfeldy, Auchterarder, Blartgowrie, Crieff, Dunkeld, Kinross, Pitlochry. There is also a guide to what to see (such as the Black Watch Museum), accommmodation and tips for travellers.

Perthshire

A pictorial directory and guide to the county of Perth Scotland. Every listing has a picture and the site covers history, clans, castles, battles, accommodation, attractions, shopping. There are individual pages with information on many of Perthshire's towns (plus a few now outside the county). The list includes:

Project Perth Ahead

Still under construction, there is a map and information about the heritage and arts in the "Fair City of Perth" together with accommodation and shopping.

Perthshire Diary

This is a collection of historical tales about events and people in Perthshire history written and collected by a John Wilson, who was quite well known in Perthshire as a local councillor and businessman. There is an individual page for the 365 days of the year and a serach engine if you are looking for something specific.

Fair Maid's House, Perth

This historical and architectural gem in the centre of Perth has been transformed into a new Visitor and Information Centre by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. The new Centre, which opens from 2 April to 31 October each year, is unique in Britain and uses some of the latest audio-visual technology to bring you up-to-date with planet Earth. You can See the planet rotate from space, see the continents evolve, see the oldest rock in Scotland (3 billion years), learn about deserts, learn about maps and about explorers and exploration. There are many objects relating to Scottish exploration in the unique Explorers' Room and you can explore the world yourself through books, maps and images.

Blair Folks' Home Page

If you come from Blairgowrie or the surrounding area of Perthshire and would like to have a blether with some other folk who do too, this is the web site. Your e-mails are distributed to like-minded Blairgowrie folk and there is a chat room too, plus recipes and other items of local interest.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Starting in 1951 (in a tent!) Pitlochry Festival Theatre, the "Theatre in the hills" is now a magnificent building on the banks of the River Tummel. With its famous slogan - Stay Six Days, See Six Plays - Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a theatrical phenomenon, operating a unique repertoire system which offers a different show every night of the week – two on matinée days. The cast is the largest in any theatre Scotland and its auditorium has 544 seats in which over 60,000 visitors sit every Summer. After 60 years, the theatre is used to its plays (often with Scottish roots) being a sell-out.

Scottish Plant Collectors Garden

This is Scotland's newest public garden being created on 6 acres of wooded hillside adjacent to Pitlochry Festival Theatre and the famous Dam and Fish Ladder. The Scottish Plant Collectors' Garden will pay tribute to the many Scottish explorers and naturalists who discovered and collected new plant species in the rapidly expanding world of the 18th and 19th Centuries.

Pitlochry Station Bookshop

Initially utilising the premises of a former bookshop and stationer in Pitlochry station, this charity bookshop has thrived and expanded selling second-hand books, including a number of antiquarian books, first editions and other collectors’ items at competitive prices. The numbers of books donated grown over the years with the sums raised for the charities increasing each year - a total of about £70,000 has been raised and distributed in under six years. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate drinks are also available for purchase at the bookshop.

Perth Farmers Market

Perth Farmers Market was the first farmers market of it's kind to set up in Scotland, and has pioneered the movement to sell Scottish farm produce direct from the farmer to the consumer. The aim of the Perth Farmers Market web site is to give customers all the information you need to stay in touch with your preferred stallholders, and to keep you up to date with all the new developments within the market.

Places to Visit in Scotland

Part of an extensive feature on this site covering places to visit across all of Scotland, the places in Fife which are described and illustrated include:

Porridge Picture Library

No, not pictures of one of Scotland's national dishes, but several hundred first class illustrations of many of Fife's tourist attractions and scenery. You select the subject (locations, type of building, scenery etc) and the site search engine produces thumbnails of all the pictures that match your specification. The illustrations have been created by Richard Newton, a professional photographer.

East Neuk of Fife

Information on a variety of attractions in the north-east corner of Fife, with its fishing villages and, of course, St Andrews. There is a tour of the East Neuk in the Tourism section gives you an insight to each of the villages with a little of its history and links to some of the more popular attractions and sights available. But woe betide you if you want to depart from any page with a right click on the mouse - you get a stern message saying "You are not authorised to Right Hand Click". If you click with the left mouse button you can reach pages on the following towns of the area:

Visit St Andrews

A tourist portal for St Andrews to help you plan your visit, enhance your experience and share your memories. Ideas and advice, links, special offers and events, accommodation. And you can join in conversations with visitors to St Andrews on the site's Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube pages.

St Andrews Virtual Reality Tour

The highlights of this site are the 360 degree interactive panoramic pictures from St Rules Tower and of the Old Course, the Castle and the Harbour. There is also information on the town, the university, golf, St Andrews' history, people, attractions and accommodation.

St Andrews Open

Lots of information on St Andrews including its history from long before the golf courses arrived (they get a separate section of their own, of course), plus hotel and guest house and bed & breakfast accommodation, restaurants and nightlife. The Dunhill Links Championship and the Open Golf Championship are well covered too along with a number of other attractions in the town.

Kingsbarns

Kingsbarns is a conservation village situated between St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife. The site has information for local residents and visitors to St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife. There are maps, pictures, and a little history and local news and issues.

The Cambo Estate near Kingsbarns has a a 2.5 acre walled Victorian Garden which is attractive all year round but has made a particular name for itself with its swathes of snowdrops in the early spring.

The Royal Burgh of Auchtermuchty

Information and pictures of Auchtermuchty in the Howe of Fife, with details of where to stay and where to eat and drink and find entertainment. There is a history of the Burgh (well, the first 2,000 years) and there's also information on the week-long Auchtermuchty Festival which takes place every August (Auchtermuchty passports available soon). Look out for the "Muchty Cam" positioned in Clamieduff, a boggy place which lies in the great Pitmedden forest. I'm sure I saw Clarence the Clamieduff monster..

Deep Sea World

Deep Sea World at North Queensferry has rapidly become one of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions. The Web site gives a taste of what is in store with colourful pages of information not just about the facilities but also about the fish to be seen there, links to other aquaria resources and competitions for school children.

Secret Bunker

Located between Crail and St Andrews, the "Secret Bunker" was Scotland's best kept secret until now! 24,000 square feet of accommodation, 100 feet underground, the Secret Bunker was an underground command bunker which was only taken off the Official Secrets list in 1993. Then, with the Cold War at an end, in 1997 it was opened up as a tourist attraction. The web site illustrates how government would have continued if nuclear war had broken out.

Cairnie Fruit Farm

Located near Cupar, Fife, Cairnie Fruit Farm offers a wide range of soft fruit on a "pick your own" or ready-picked basis. But there's a lot more than that - a farm shop with seasonal produce, local honey and home produced jams. Then there's a tearoom (famous for fresh scones, melt-in the-mouth shortbread and giant strawberry tarts) and a large picnic area and a children's play area. And an incredible 6-acre maize maze in a cornfield and a kid's "Funyard". Finally (I think) there's a holiday cottage for rent.

Places to Visit in Scotland

Part of an extensive feature on this site covering places to visit across all of Scotland, the places in Lothian which are described and illustrated include:

Visit West Lothian

An attractive and extensive site presenting all that West Lothian has to offer visitors to the area, covering places to go, things to do, shopping, food and drink, where to stay. The section on Local Areas covers such places as:

Among the suggested visitor attractions in West Lothian are:

East Lothian

This Website is dedicated to all personal, non-profit & business websites in East Lothian, Scotland. There is a comprehensive search facility to allow you to find the Web address of the many businesses and organisations listed on the site.

Inside East Lothian

This is a local website for businesses and the community in East Lothian and for visitors to the area. There is a business directory open for all companies in East Lothian and a section dealing with news and events. There are also networking forums which are open to all who sign up as a member.

Haddington Community Council

The District Community Council has provided a history of the burgh including the Seige of Haddington and the town's connection with Mary Queen of Scots. The Legend of the Saltire is believed to have originated in a battle fought near Athelstaneford in the 9th Century.

Winton House Pencaitland

The original 15th century tower house of Winton was destroyed by the army of King Henry VIII during the "Rough Wooing" of Mary Queen of Scots. The present house, restored and enlarged at the start of the Scottish Renaissance, is architecturally important, with many fine features created by the King's Master Mason. It is now the family home of Sir Francis and Lady Ogilvy and guided tours can be arranged. Wintonhill Farmhouse is also available for conferences, weddings and functions and provides overnight accommodation for around a dozen guests.

North Berwick

Covers shopping, local traders, accommodation, arts & crafts, Clubs/Associations, education and public services plus golf courses and a photo gallery.

Scottish Seabird Centre

Based at North Berwick, opposite the Bass Rock with its 150,000 birds crammed onto it, the Seabird Centre is a major tourist attraction with remote cameras to allow you to view the birds. The site has information about the centre and the 360 degree panoramic cameras on the site have views of North Berwick

Rosslyn Chapel

A richly illustrated site with eye-catching graphics telling the story of Rosslyn Chapel's architecture and carvings. There is also a timetable of a series of events taking place at the chapel.

Rosslyn Templars is an extensive site dedicated to researching the Rosslyn Chapel and its links to the Knights Templar and Scottish Freemasonry. There are articles on these subjects and also on the Sinclairs, the creators of Rosslyn.

Ecclesmachan, West Lothian

This is a big site for the small parish of Ecclesmachan, West Lothian (north of Broxburn and Uphall). It provides history, pictures, events and local points of interest.

Currie Community Council

Currie Community Council's pages provide a detailed geography of the area and links to the local Heriot-Watt University. An 18th century poet James Thomson came from this area and a biography and examples of his poems are provided.

Linlithgow

Description and Map of the town, its palace and attractions in the surrounding countryside. There is also a genealogical chart showing the link between Mary Queen of Scots (who was born in Linlithgow) and Queen Elizabeth II.

The Linlithgow Story

Linlithgow’s own museum is run by Linlithgow Heritage Trust and is situated in Annet House in the High Street just 250 meters west of the Cross. The museum tells the story of Linlithgow and its growth during the reigns of the Stewart kings of Scotland. It also tells of trades of the town and something of the life of the people. The story is told using not only traditional museum artifacts but through audio and video presentations. The museum has an extensive terraced garden which contains displays of herbs, fruit trees and bushes.

Linlithgow - A Great Visit

Covers attractions (including a range of suggested itineries), history, what's on? and leisure, getting around (with maps and public transport), general information as well as local business.

Linlithgow Loch Every Day of the Year

Here's a dedicated photographer who is going out every day of the year to take pictures in the area around Linlithgow Palace and Loch and putting the best onto this site. Martine Stead goes out at various times of day, in all types of weather, and takes pictures from any lochside location - her only 'rule' is that the photos have to capture something of the moment. It could be the colours, the light, the textures, the weather, or just what the ducks are doing that day. The variety of subjects and graphics shows just what can be done!

Almond Valley Heritage Trust

The Trust (located near Livingston in West Lothian) was awarded the title of "Scottish Museum of the Year" in 2002 and their extensive Web site illustrates an innovative museum packed full of things to prod, sniff, shake and discover, with activities to make all the family smile and wonder - from hunting for fossils to exploring a microscopic universe. And there are also the animals of Mill Farm, a working watermill and a riverside walk. There's an indoor adventure playground, a soft play area, and on summer weekends, trailer rides and trips on the narrow-gauge railway. In other words, they've thought of everything!

Livingston Alive

A Community-Based website for the town of Livingston in West Lothian with lots of information including local attractions and events, hotels, eating out, shopping, transport, recreation, local government and history.

Livingstoni.co.uk

Concentrating on illustrations of Livingston - from shopping centres to schools, hospitals, bars and hotels.

Places to Visit in Scotland

Part of an extensive feature on this site covering places to visit across all of Scotland, the places in Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannan which are described and illustrated include:

inStirling.com

A Stirling guide that is updated every day with what's on, events and entertainment, heritage, news and local information for residents and visitors to this historic Scottish city. There are separate pages on the main tourist hot-spots, where to stay, things to do, walks, parks, food and drink and local shops.

Stirling Panoramas

Part of a larger site (covering various locations in Scotland and elsewhere) showing panoramic views from a number of the old buildings in the heart of Stirling, tied in with Google location maps. There are a number of different panoramas showing Stirling Castle, for example.

Kinross-shire and Loch Leven

Kinross-shire, Scotland is a beautiful county bordered by Perthshire, Fife and Clackmannanshire. It nestles around Loch Leven where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567 on Castle Island. The site has sections on how to get there, accommodation, services in the area and local attractions. There are also pages on the towns and villages in the county (which is now part of Perth & Kinross), including the following:

Bo'ness

The seaport town of Bo'ness (or Borrowstounness to give it its full name) is situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, eighteen miles west of Leith. The site covers the history of the town via a historical timeline and lists local accommodation.

Welcome to Stirling

These pages provide places to visit, history, information, accommodation, restaurants, pubs and leisure activities in the Stirling area. The illustrations and information on attractions in Stirling and surrounding area include:

The site also has sections on the Trossachs and Bridge of Allan.

Elsewhere on the Web, Stronvar House Hotel provides a good Rob Roy McGregor FAQ.

Bridge of Allan

The tourism section of this site covers Stirling University (and Airthrey Castle within its grounds), Wallace Monument and Old Logie Kirk. There is a useful street map of Bridge of Allan.

Callander Tourist Information

An extensive site providing information on Callander, the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and surrounding areas. There are sections on Callander history, castles, Rob Roy MacGregor (the Rob Roy Visitor Centre is in Callander and his grave is not far away at Balquhidder), walking and hill walking, rock climbing, fishing and watersports. The shopping and amenities in Callander and accommodation are covered also.

Aberfoyle

Aberfoyle is on the eastern section of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with the "Duke's Pass" leading to Loch Katrine to the north. This Web site covers accommodation, eating out (within and near Aberfoyle), places to see (ranging from Inchmahome Priory to the Fame Academy for Dogs), history (the people associated with the area), geology, business pages (with a list of traders, including B&B and other accommodation), outdoor activities (sports, golf courses and photography), indoor sports and Aberfoyle Festivals.

Kilsyth's Independent Web Site

Lots of information and background to this North Lanarkshire town, including its claim to be where curling was born, researching your family roots, community information, shopping and businesses, history and heritage, the Kilsyth Carnival, Forth & Clyde Canal, and a tourism and leisure guide.

Falkirk Wheel and the Millennium Link

One of the Millennium Heritage Fund investment projects was the regeneration of the Forth and Clyde canal and the Union canal. In place of the previous slow and cumbersome series of eleven locks at Falkirk, a 150ft rotating lift - the "Falkirk Wheel" - which raises and lowers canal traffic. These Web pages provide information on this tourist attraction and also about the nearly 70 miles of extensive and accessible canal network along the across the central Scotland countryside.

Big in Falkirk

Big in Falkirk, Scotland's National Street Arts Festival each year has a packed programme of spectacular outdoor theatre, international street arts, live music, comedy, children's entertainment and much more. Big in Falkirk is one of Scotland's biggest cultural events, dedicated to bringing international outdoor theatre to Scotland and the UK, attracting in excess of 100,000 people to Falkirk's Callendar Park.

Antonine Wall World Heritage Site Online

All about this new World Heritage Site in Scotland with details of the Roman wall's history, how to visit it, preservation aspects and recent research reports on aspects of the wall and related issues.





@Communities Internet

This site covers a good number of community Web sites in the West of Scotland including the following:

RSPB Nature Reserve, Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire

Situated within the Clyde-Muirshiel Regional Park, Lochwinnoch is one of the few remaining wetland sites in west Scotland. The visitor centre, with its viewing tower and telescopes, gives good views over the marshland and loch, where in the winter you may see a wide variety of wildfowl and goosanders.

Helensburgh Heritage Trust

Not so much about Helensburgh itself as about its history as the birthplace of John Logie Baird the pioneer of television and Henry Bell, whose "Comet" was the first steamship in Europe.

Helensburgh Heroes

Many of the finest scientific, creative and business people have very strong links with the Helensburgh area. Helensburgh Heroes is a non profit making organisation that aims to design, deliver and manage leisure and arts facilities that will educate, inform, entertain and above all, inspire future generations to emulate the area’s famous sons and daughters. There are pages giving biographical details of folk with Helensburgh connections who have made their mark on the world (including actress Deborah Kerr; Horatio Scott Carslaw, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, University of Sydney; Jack Buchanan, Britain’s First Major Star of Stage & Screen; and Jimmy Logan an entertainment legend. Helensburgh Heroes has been created to specifically deliver projects that will blend Helensburgh’s natural and cultural heritage with a range of new leisure and arts facilities. Projects that have been identified for feasibility phase and potential execution include a Hollywood style Walk of Fame along Helensburgh’s sea front; the restoration and conversion of the derelict former East Clyde Street School into a Living Arts Centre; and the creation of a natural reserve and outdoor pursuit area.

Helensburgh Info

Information is for both residents and visitors with sections on "Out & About" which includes gardens open to visitors in season and walks within and around the town, places and people of interest plus a visitors section has information on what to see and where to go. There are also community information pages, contacts and telephone numbers for clubs & organisations, medical services, local amenities, schools and churches for Helensburgh residents.

ClydeSite

A directory of Clyde Marine Industries covering shipbuilding and repairs, shipping and freight, maritime services, marine leisure and other maritime related activities. There is a regular news update on Clydeside with illustrations and a picture archive

Welcome to Loch Lomond

Information on tourist travel, boating resources, accomodation, fishing, maps and weather.

Elsewhere there's a page of photographs of the bonny banks of Loch Lomond

Maid of the Loch

The Paddle Steamer "Maid of the Loch" is currently being restored, ultimately to sail again on the waters of Loch Lomond. This site is dedicated to her and all who are giving their time, commitment and cash to bringing back to life this most beautiful of ships. There is a history of the ship, up to date news and a gallery of photographs.

Gareloch and the Rosneath Peninsula, Argyll

This site cvovers the villages of Cove, Kilcreggan, Rosneath, Clynder and Garelochhead and includes area descriptions, local news and events, attractions, community information, local businesses and organizations, maps, transport, natural features, history, architecture, and other information relevant to the area. There is also much background information on topics relating to the history and environment of the area.

By the Banks of the River Clyde

Descriptions of a number of the towns of the lower Clyde Valley and its tributaries, with lots of illustrations. Locations include:

Baldernock, East Dunbartonshire

Although only a short distance from Glasgow, the rural parish of Baldernock with narrow country roads which are popular with walkers from suburbia. The Web site incorporates the work of the local community council and community association, an environmental group and its tree-planting efforts, local history and events.

Kelvin Valley

Not just the River Kelvin and its valley but also the Kilsyth Hills and Campsie Fells, the Forth and Clyde Canal, the Roman Antonine Wall, Auchinstarry Quarry (a mecca for rock climbers) plus fishing, golf, bird watching and other pursuits. History is not overlooked either, including the Battle of Kilsyth, the site of which is now marked in Colzium Country Park.

Places to Visit in Scotland

Part of an extensive feature on this site covering places to visit across all of Scotland, the places in Dunbartonshire which are described and illustrated include:

Paisley on the Web

Extensive site on this Renfrewshire town covering its galleries, history (including the Coats family, industry and mills, witches, Saint Mirren, Tanahill the poet, Paisley pattern and Glen Cinema disaster), visitor attractions (including Paisley abbey, museum & art galleries, Coats observatory and memorial and the town hall), St Mirren F.C and a virtual tour.

Elsewhere there is another illustrated page on Paisley Abbey.

Kempock Digital

This company specialises in making high quality prints from digital cameras and from 35mm negatives or slides or from your own prints. They have hundreds of high-quality photographs of Scotland and have restored hundreds of historical pictures and postcards of Gourock, Greenock, and Port Glasgow. They also have an art gallery in Greenock housing a selection of modern pictures and a growing collection of the finest prints from original works of local artists and photographers.

Bishopton on the Web

Description in words and pictures of this Renfrewshire village, both past and present. There is a map page with an aerial picture of Bishopton plus an area and street map and a selection of "then and now" photographs.

Finlaystone Country Estate

Located just off the main road from Glasgow to Greenock, Finlaystone House was built in the 14th century and extended in 1760 and 1900.There are beautiful gardens and woodland walks and there is an "Eye Opener" display of natural history, the history of the Clan MacMillan, a unique (and huge) collection of dolls from around the world and an appreciation of Celtic art will keep you occupied. There is also a "Celtic Tree" tea room.

Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

Situated on the hills which straddle the border between Inverclyde and North Ayrshire, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park stretches down to the Clyde coast at Lunderston Bay. The well illustrated site covers the many activities which take place there (sailing and rowing, canoeing, birdwatching, fishing, and hillwalking etc) as well as some of the history of the area, its wildlife and plants and local places to stay.

Bearsden Cross

Bearsden is one of the affluent suburbs just outside Glasgow. The Cross is and has been the central shopping area for over 100 years and the Web site features the shops and businesses which operate in the area plus leisure intersts such as the Glasgow Golf Club at Killermont which was founded in 1787.

Mugdock Country Park

Located just north of Glasgow is Mugdock Country Park. The Web pages provide a map of the park and illustrations of Craigend Castle and Mugdock Castle both now and as it was many years ago.

Places to Visit in Scotland

Part of an extensive feature on this site covering places to visit across all of Scotland, the places in Lanarkshire which are described and illustrated include:

ClydeWeb

Provides useful information on a variety of services within the Clyde Valley. There is a tourist information page and the image gallery contains well known (and some not so well known), landmarks and views.

New Lanark Conservation Trust

The Web site for the model village created by David Dale in the 18th century were not just the largest cotton-spinning mills in Britain, but also an experiment in social engineering. Millions have been spent bringing the village back to life and it is now one of the top ten tourist attractions in Scotland. In addition to seeing life at it was in the 18th/19th century, there is now an audio/visual multi-media "Millennium Experience" as well. And after all that there are walks along the banks of the river Clyde to the famous Corra Linn waterfall.

East Kilbride

Basic information about the "new town" of East Kilbride including the new National Trust Museum of Country Life at Kittochside and Mains Castle.

East Kilbride Community Web Site

Local news and directory, photos and videos provide the East Kilbride area with relevant local news, directory, and events, photos and videos.

Lanark Lanimer Day

All you need to know about this ancient celebration held within the Royal Burgh of Lanark on the Thursday between the Sixth and Twelfth days of June, annually since the year 1140. One of the conditions attached to the granting of a Royal Burgh Charter by King David I (1124-1153) was that the Burgesses of the town were required to examine their March or boundary stones every year and report back that all was well or ill according to what they had found. Lanark is probably unique among the Royal Burghs in that it has carried out this duty every year since it was first imposed. this duty of the Land Marches soon became an annual celebration - "The Lanimers".

Strathaven

Basic information on shopping, services, dining out and accommodation on this picturesque town in Lanarkshire, south of East Kilbride.

History and Amenities of Airdrie

Covering Airdrie and nearby Coatbridge the site covers places of interest such as the Weavers Cottage showing Airdrie as it was 100 years ago, the Time Capsule and Summerlee Heritage Railway Museum. "Famous Locals" includes John Smith, the former leader of the Labour Party, Helen Liddell, a government minister, "Wee" Wullie Henderson the footballer. There are also maps related to the area.

Gateway to Monklands

Set up by the local community to provide information about the towns of Airdrie, Coatbridge and the surrounding villages. There's lots of information about the area including information on each town and village, maps, local politics plus local contact information.

Monklands Ramblers and Hill-Walkers Club

The site provides a programme for their current walks and social calendar, a photographic collection and their "guide to good Scottish pubs, tea rooms and chippies."

Scotair Balloons

Hot Air Balloon Flights over the Upper Clyde Valley Area from Lesmahagow operating flights twice a day, seven days a week, throughout the year, weather permitting. Balloon flights last approximately one hour - distance covered and direction travelled are dependent on the prevailing winds.

Places to Visit in Scotland

Part of an extensive feature on this site covering places to visit across all of Scotland, the places in Ayrshire which are described and illustrated include:

Ayrshire

Fully illustrated guide to most of the towns in Ayrshire along with their tourist attactions such as Burns' Cottage at Alloway with a map of the county on a separate page. The locations described are:

Cumnock

This Web site for the East Ayrshire town of Cumnock provides a number of historical connections with the area such as "Wallace's Cave" and the Battle of Airds Moss. There is also coverage of the castles near Cumnock such as Auchinleck, Terringzean and Kyle. There are also biographies of local historical worthies such as Alexander Peden, William Murdoch and John Brown.

Ayrshire Electronic Community

AEC aims to create a "partnership" of all Public Sector Agencies, Education Establishments, Libraries, Businesses and Community Services in Ayrshire. It provides life-long learning opportunities and access to information and services to residents. The Community section has a lot of useful information on the towns and villages of Ayrshire.

Things to do in Ayrshire

An introduction to a number of tourist attractions in Ayrshire and illustrated guides to :

Burns Heritage Park

The site contains information on the elements of the Burns Heritage Park at Alloway as well as a host of online resources for Burns enthusiasts casual browsers. Highlights include items from the Burns Collection, news from Robert Burns’ birthplace, an online shop, interactive Quizzes and a teachers’ forum.

Troon Online

Basic information and links to sites relating to Troon including accommodation, professional services, restaurants, shops, schools, streetmap, weather and Clyde shipping arrivals.

Ayrshire + Isle of Arran

A brief tourist guide to Ayrshire, including golf, Robert Burns, things to see and do, including places to go when the weather is not so good.

VisitArran

This is a guide to the island with a map, photographs, accommodation guide, camp sites, transport timetable, places to eat and drink. golf courses, fishing, outdoor activities, walking routes, things to see and do on the island.

Tighnabruaich and The Kyles of Bute

Generations of day-trippers sailing on the Firth of Clyde have admired the narrow channel which separates the island of Bute from mainland Argyll. This site is a guide to Tighnabruaich (featured in Para Handy's Vital Spark), Kames, the Kyles of Bute and surrounding areas of the Cowal Peninsula. Maps and large photo gallery plus links to Web sites related to the area.

Bute Gateway

This site indeed provides a huge gateway to this attractive island and covers just about every aspect that a visitor or resident might want. There is a large photo gallery, of course, as well pages on the many tourist attractions on offer. Travel to and from the island and while there is also highlighted, along with events, festivals, social activities, archaeology and genealogy. Economic activity, housing, education and accommodation are there too. The site also carries current news and items of interest about the island and its people. If you need even more information (unlikely, but possible) then there's a list of recommended books and maps.

Isle of Bute

There's a picture gallery of this island in the Firth of Clyde as well as shopping and eating out pages.

Isle of Bute

This Isle of Bute site has news and links to local events, tourism attractions, business, property and community activities. There is also a photo gallery, postcards and forum pages.

Visit Bute

Places to visit, activities, eating out, accommodation, photo gallery (20 illustrations) and events are all covered here along with a pictorial map of the island.

Millport,Isle of Cumbrae

This site provides a history of Millport, an interactive map and pages on attractions associated with the town including the cathedral, Lion Rock and the restoration of the Millport "Garrison."

Millport.org.uk

This community Website for the town of Millport and the island of Great Cumbrae has local news, events, business links, forum pages and a photo gallery.

Culzean Castle

An extensive, liberally illustrated description of the history and architecture of the former home of the Kennedy family which was built by Robert Adam (between 1777 -1792). The author has plenty of "inside knowledge" of the castle - she is an official Secretarty/Tour Guide at the Castle!

Lordship & Barony of Kilmarnock

Covers the origins and history of Kilmarnock, Dean Castle (known as Kilmarnock Castle until 1700), Freemasonry (in so far as it concerns individuals of Kilmarnock and Kilwinning, including Robert Burns) and the Ayre and Boyd families in the area.

Dean Castle Riding Centre

Based at Dean Castle, Kilmarnock, the riding centre has experienced staff, instructors and horses/ponies and provides a full list of activities for everyone from beginners to experienced riders. Livery is also available, horses are bought and sold and there is a Cross Country Course available to hire.

Muirmill International Centre is based just outside Kilmarnock and offers facilities for many different events big and small, from pet shows and gymkhanas to large music festivals. Facilities include a main indoor arena 200ft x 80ft, cafe and bar, seating gallery which can seat 150 people, commentary box, and a sound system with radio microphone.

Ayrshire History

The history of the county and its people, and the local history of its parishes, towns and villages. Most articles are illustrated and cover a range of subjects including James Boswell who came from Auchinleck and Killochan Castle.

Troon Online

This site is designed for 'Troonies' at home and abroad, as well as visitors to Troon, to provide information and links to businesses, shops, services and what's going on in the town plus a discussion board and a photo album.

Kilwinning, Ayrshire

A well illustrated virtual tour of this parish in North Ayrshire, including Eglinton Castle and Country Park. Kilwinning town is notable as the home of Freemasonry in Scotland. Mother Lodge Kilwinning (No 0) was founded in 1107, at the same time as the local Abbey. In all, the site has 85 pages covering what to do, where to stay, history, area map and statistics. Also covered is The Big Idea exhibition at Ardeer and local towns such as Irvine, Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston.

Heads of Ayr Farm Park

Details of the working farm with Jersey cows, a Clydesdale horse, a Llama, Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs and lots more animals such as frogs, snakes, iguanas and even a colony of ants busy working their queen.

Maybole, Ayrshire

In the ancient kingdom of Carrick, the Maybole story is told here by means of a photogallery, pictorial history and landscapes of the surrounding Carrick countryside. Notable "Minniebolers" include Robert Burns, Robert the Bruce, John Macadam, James and Norris McWhirter and the Kennedy Family. There is also a surname registry, historical society, maps and places to visit and much more on this extensive site.



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Where else would you like to go in Scotland?

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