Stirlingshire

One of the most historic counties in Scotland, Stirlingshire – and specifically its attractive capital, Stirling – is the most obvious next port-of-call after you've exhausted delights of the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Not only is it the gateway to the Highlands to the north, it's home to historic towns like Dunblane, Callander and of course Stirling itself, iconic sights like the Bannockburn battlefield and Wallace Monument, and also boasts its own dramatic countryside in the Trossachs and Loch Lomond national park. You can enjoy all this from a wide array of hotels, B&Bs and all kinds of self-catering properties, from converted castles to eco-friendly cottages by the lake.