Set between the central belt of Scotland and the Highlands, Stirlingshire has long been an important part of Scotland as it controlled the access from Glasgow and Edinburgh to the centre and north of the country. The strategic importance of Stirling, the main town in Stirlingshire, was recognised in the mediaeval era when it became a royal stronghold and Stirling Castle still stands proud today. Falkirk became an important industrial town in the 18th and 19th centuries and the Millennium Lift project created a massive boat lift for Falkirk’s canal system. The military heritage of Stirlingshire is also in evidence in the numerous battlefields and memorials in the area, not least Bannockburn and the Wallace Monument. Stirlingshire is also home to some of the most beautiful landscape in Scotland, the Trossachs and Loch Lomond, which is also the resting place of Rob Roy. Stirlingshire also draws in many to its strong cultural heritage, one of its most recent projects being the monumental Kelpies horses heads at the start of the Forth and Clyde Canal.

50 Gems of Stirling District explores the many places and their history that make this part of Scotland so special, including natural features, towns and villages, buildings and places of historical interest. Alongside justly famous attractions, others will be relatively unknown but all have an interesting story to tell.