Old Balwill Cottage - Sleeps 6

Whether you want to tour, admire the scenery and stop off at the myriad of excellent coffee shops with delicious home baking, or are looking to fill your days with lots of physical activity, this area has it all.

Ben Lomond, Ben Ledi, Ben Vorlich, Ben Venue and Ben Vane are all within easy reach for more serious hill walkers, whilst the small - but still beautifully formed - hills of The Conic and Ben A'an make a fantastic walk (with glorious views) for families with even quite small children. Cyclists and walkers have miles of forest trails to explore in the nearby Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, whilst sailors, windsurfers and canoeists can head out onto Loch Ard, Loch Venacher and, of course, famous Loch Lomond.

If you're fond of golf, you'll be spoilt for choice with five local clubs within ten miles, all of which welcome visitors. There is also The Carrick, set on the shores of Loch Lomond and Gleneagles, which is only around 45 mins away. Fishermen can fish for brown and rainbow trout on the Lake of Menteith - perhaps popping into the Port Bar at the Lake of Menteith hotel for the Fisherman's Breakfast. Or why not explore the forest from the air, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, swinging on the UK's biggest high-wire zip line (go ape) at Aberfoyle?

Don't worry if you don't feel quite so energetic though. You could take a boat trip on Loch Lomond or Loch Katrine and there are lots of historic buildings waiting to be explored - from Inchmahome Priory, a ruined Augustinian monastery, which lies on an island in the Lake of Menteith, to the 14th century ducal castle at Doune, and Stirling Castle, which was once the residence of Scottish kings and perches atop an extinct volcano. Edinburgh Castle too is only around an hour away. On a more modern note, the Falkirk Wheel is an impressive piece of Scottish engineering. Measuring 115 feet, it is the world's only rotating boatlift and is used to connect the Forth & Clyde and Union canals.

Shoppers won't be disappointed either, with the Scottish Antiques and Crafts Centre near Doune; lots of gift shops, art galleries and wool centres around Killearn, Aberfoyle and Callander, complementing the full range of shopping facilities you would expect in the cities of Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Local farmers markets are held throughout the year where local produce and specialities can be tatsed and bought.

If all this sounds quite tiring, the cottage itself has every home comfort and the garden is a very peaceful place to sit and relax!

Summary:

-Buchlyvie (village) 2 miles, Balfron (village) 4 miles
-Stirling 17 miles, Glasgow 22 miles, Edinburgh 55 miles
-Glasgow airport 31 miles (approx 45 mins drive), Edinburgh airport 50 miles (approx 50 mins drive)
-Stations: Stirling 17 miles, Milngavie 16 miles (both approx 25 mins drive)
-Golf - Aberfoyle Golf Club (5 miles), Balfron Golf Society (4 miles), Strathendrick and Drymen Golf Clubs (7 miles)
-Riding - Port of Menteith (10 miles)
-Fishing - Port of Menteith
-Pubs/restaurants - many within 8 miles
-Go Ape - Aberfoyle
-Blair Drummond Safari Park - 14 miles
-Scottish Antique and Art Centre at Doune - 17 miles
-Doune Castle, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle