The Woodland Trust's Glen Finglas. Don’t expect a light-hearted skip through piles of autumn leaves; this is a splendid ancient hunting forest where the trees are hundreds of years old. Spy red deer while following in the footsteps of eight Scottish kings who hunted here. Wax lyrical about the inspiring views across the reservoir, after all this is where Sir Walter Scott set a ballad about a fatal hunting expedition. After a mile of so of walking the magnificent ancient woodland gives way to open moorland with views towards the Scottish Highlands. Here, you have the option to continue along the hill track into a more remote area where hundreds of veteran trees line the trails. One of the walks, The Mell, is a massive seven-hour, 15-mile circuit, but you can turn back after any of the viewpoints, and there are shorter walks with not too much climbing down on the shores of Loch Venacher. Whatever route you choose, be sure to stop at the famous Brig O' Turk Tea Room on the way back to the car.

frontpage.woodland-trust.org.uk/glenfinglas/home.html
Google map: bit.ly/cNqJTe

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This is the best B&B ever! It's very welcoming, spotlessly clean, full of fresh flowers. Fun part is the 'Dr Finlay's Casebook' memorabilia (TV series was filmed here). It's the little touches that make it so hospitable, like cups and saucers in your room instead of the ubiquitous mug, and at breakfast, marmalade and jam in pots, butter in small ramekins instead of the finickity mass produced packets. You can order a paper for the mornings.
I've stayed twice now and have come away completely refreshed and rested each time.

Bracklinn Road, Callander, Perthshire, Scotland
FK17 8EQ
Tel/Fax 01877 330235
www.ardenhouse.org.uk

Google map: tinyurl.com/32226jk

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This family-run museum is magical. It seems tiny, but after paying your £2 entrance and a brief friendly chat you are pointed at a door leading to a corridor lined with dolls houses, Pelham puppets and strange Beatles memorabilia. I was transfixed by a Sherlock Holmes house and thrilled by the discovery of a long lost frog puppet from my own childhood. The wonders continue as you realise there is a whole house to explore. Room after room is filled with the most detailed and wonderful exhibits from model soldiers, circuses, railways, dolls, puppets and a very exciting science fiction room. The stairwell which is lined with miniatures from doll's houses. When you emerge back into the little shop at the entrance you feel you have returned from a Mr Benn-like adventure.

111 Main Street, Callander, Perthshire
www.thehamiltontoycollection.co.uk

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