Fraser's Web Page

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Welcome to My Web Site

Welcome	Map of Scotland	Trossachs and surrounding area	Central Scotland	Views of Callander
Stirling page	Trossachs page	Dunblane page	Glasgow Stuff	Bridge of Allan page

Hello, enjoy yourself

Hello, and welcome to my Web Site. It is not terribly exciting, but it may improve over time. I am not going to spend a lot of time here telling you all about me. Instead you can click on the links below to visit other pages. It is entirely up to you. It may be that all you wanted to do was see what I look like. In that case, go no further.

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Fraser's Glasgow Page

In its time Glasgow has been a religious community, a university town, a trading port, an industrial centre and the 2nd city of the British Empire.		Today it is renowned as one of the liveliest and friendliest places you could ever visit.
	Glasgow's vibrancy and originality shines throughout the city and has been recognised with many awards: Garden Festival City 1988, European City of Culture 1990 and UK City of Architecture and Design 1999. During 1996 Glasgow celebrated the Festival of Visual Arts with a year round programme of festivities - leaving a lasting legacy with the new Gallery of Modern Art.
There are over 30 art galleries and museums in Glasgow, making this the largest number in any city in the UK outside London. This unrivalled selection includes the world famous Burrell Collection and the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life & Art, the only museum of its kind in the world. Another place well worth a visit is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a municipal collection. What's more, most offer the added attraction of free admission.
	The money saved can be well spent in the numerous high street stores, elegant boutiques and colourful open air markets, including the Argyle Square where style and choice is second to none. On your way for a well deserved rest in one of the countless cafes, bars and restaurants you will be entertained by an array of talented buskers performing in the open air.

In Gaelic, Glasgow means ‘Dear Green Place’ and is aptly named with over 70 public parks and gardens - more than any comparable city in Europe. Talking of parks, the famous ‘Old Firm’ rivals, Celtic and Rangers play at 2 of the most impressive football stadiums in the UK. It is not just football, however, that attracts the crowds as there are a wide selection of sporting facilities and leisure centres including the Kelvin Hall Arena which regularly hosts international sports events.
By evening, entertainment takes centre stage with international musicals, opera, ballet and theatre productions, as well as folk, jazz, ceilidh dances and night-clubs. No matter what your taste - be it opera, country & western, house or rave - you will find it all, and more, in the City of Glasgow.

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The Highlands in Miniature
The very word Trossachs conjures up portraits of shimmering lochs, craggy mountain tops and deep cut, forest filled glens, a miniature and compressed portrayal of all the magical landscape qualities which are associated with the Highlands of Scotland.
This was once a wild frontier land, home to supposedly ‘lawless’ clans. Yet by the early nineteenth century the Trossachs was already building its reputation as Scotland’s first and most enduring holiday region. Among the first enthusiastic ambassadors for this remarkable area was Sir Walter Scott, who so elegantly captured the mood of the Trossachs in his popular saga-poem, The Lady of the Lake.
"So wondrous wild, the whole might seem
The scenery of a fairy dream"

Generations of travellers from every corner of the globe have - and still do - found for themselves the truth of Scott’s emotions.

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The Trossachs in some Detail
Moving the mouse around may produce some surprises.

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Here is Callander
This shows the location of Callander in relation to the bigger towns. Click on the links to discover some pics or other information about them
Central Scotland Map

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Views of Callander and area
Eventually I will have some more photos of my home town of Callander, which is in Central Scotland. In the meantime click on the thumbnails to see larger views of sunny Callander.
'The Meadows' area of Callander

The Meadows area of Callander
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Callander from the Duke's Path

Callander from the Duke's Path
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Ancaster Square Callander

Ancaster Square Callander
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Aerial view of Callander

Aerial View of Callander
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Fraser’s Stirling Page
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Situated strategically at the junction of the rivers Forth and Teith, Stirling stands guard to the Gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Stirling has a rich history, much of which can be seen in the many historic sites and buildings in and around the town. Only 15 miles from Callander with a regular bus service, it is an attractive town for the visitor with its historic monuments , open top-bus tours, museum, excellent shopping and many pleasurable and friendly places to eat and drink. The active visitor can take a self guided walk around Stirling using a audio tape from STAGS. This is excellent value and introduces you to places of special historic interest around Stirling. Highly recommended.
To the north-east of Stirling are the Ochil Hills with their mill towns, to the west on the southern boundary of the Forth valley, the Gargunnock Hills and the Campsie Fells, and on the northern boundary The Trossachs, famed as the territory of Rob Roy.

	OLD TOWN JAIL
Built in 1846, this Victorian jail replaced the Tolbooth Prison under the pressure of an more enlightened society. This did not mean that life was easy, but compared to the Tolbooth it was heaven. You can tour the jail either by taking a guided tour with the resident actor who will 'introduce' you to many of the historic figures associated with the jail or you can take an audio tape self guided tour.		Looking down from the Jail tower you can see the King's Knot, formerly the site of gardens built for the visit of Charles 1st, and in the distance you can see Ben Lomond. Looking in the other direction over Stirling Town, you can see Stirling Bridge, the Wallace Monument, and the Ochils.
	HOLYROOD CHURCH	Main Menu
	The Church of the Holy Rude has stood as Stirling's principal church for more than 500 years. King James VI was crowned here in 1567. The Church features magnificent stained glass windows, and one of Scotland's few surviving mediaeval open timber roofs. The nave and tower date, in part, from 1456-70. Within the church each craft guild formerly maintained an altar to its patron saint while wealthy burgesses built their own chapels.	The vaulted Chapel of St Andrew survives intact to this day. A 17th century dispute in the church congregation led to a dividing wall being built within the church which was removed only during restoration in 1936.
	MAR'S WARK
Back to Main Menu	The ruins at the top of Broad Street are the remains of the Earl of Mar's palace. In the early 1570's the Earl was one of the wealthiest and most powerful men, hence the dominate position of his dwelling.
	ARGYLLS'LODGING
Currently under going complete renovation and furnishing in the style of its period this is a wonderful site to visit. This 17th century building, which grew by stages over a period of some 40 years is a wonderful example of a Renaissance mansion.	The earlier construction was in fact carried out by William Alexander, but was later owned by the 9th Earl of Argyll who extensively extended the building.
	STIRLING CASTLE	Back to Main Menu
Whilst Stirling itself lay at such an important strategic point, being located at the first bridged crossing point of the Forth, the volcanic outcropping provided an excellent site for fortification and the earliest known works date back to the 11th century.	The site was particularly militarily important during the 13th and 14th century Wars of Independence and later became a favourite residence of many Stuart monarchs.	Much of the castle seen today, including the Royal Palace (mid 16th century), Chapel Royal,( early 16th century), and the Great Hall is renaissance architecture, with strong French influence.
Many significant episodes in Scottish history took place here including the crowning of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1543.		The beautiful hammer beam roof was removed by one of the resident army garrisons, but is currently being restored.

Offering many displays, wonderful views from the battlements and also housing the excellent Regimental Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, this is a superb place to visit.
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	STIRLING BRIDGE
This handsome late 15th century bridge was for almost four centuries the lowest bridging point over the River Forth, until Stirling New Bridge opened in 1831. The Old Bridge seen today succeeded earlier structures nearby, induding the wooden construction which was at the centre of the brilliant victory by Sir William Wallace over the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.
Main Menu	WALLACE MONUMENT
Scotland's greatest freedom tighter, Sir William Wallace (1267-1305), is recalled in the National Wallace Monument. This 220ft (67m) tower sits on top of the Abbey Craig and is a landmark for miles around.		It was built by public subscriptions in a fit of patriotic fervour between 1859-69. There are 246 steps to the top, by way of a projecting circular stairway. This leads to one of the finest views in Scotland, from a platform below the monument's crown of tiered stone.
Within the Monument,in three halls or chambers, you can also meet' Wallace himself, in a battle tent, see his mighty two-handed sword and visit the Victorian Hall of Heroes.	The visitor car park is at the foot of the Abbey Craig, from where a pedestrian-only roadway leads to the entrance to the Monument. However, from Easter to September the Monument Climber shuttle bus is available to transport visitors to the base of the Monument.	There are also pleasant woodland walks to enjoy on the Abbey Craig, the rocky outcrop on which the Monument stands. Abbey Craig, Causewayhead, Stirling. Telephone:(01786) 472140. Open daily March to September and weekends only during February and November. Closed January and December.
	CAMBUSKENNETH ABBEY	Main Menu
This was the site of an Augustinian settlement which was founded by King David I in 1147, within a loop of the winding River Forth. The Abbey was closely involved with the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Bruce's parliament met here in 1326 and was the first to include representatives of Scotland's burgh, and King James III and his Queen are buried in the grounds. Much of the building stone was carried away after the Reformation, but the Bell Tower or Campanile (originally of 1300) survives in restored condition.
Main Menu	BANNOCKBURN HERITAGE CENTRE
Commemorating King Robert the Bruce's victory over the English at the Battle of Bannockburn on June 24, 1314 this Centre is well worth a visit.At the battle 40,000 troops lead by Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, intercepted a force of 60,000 English forces who were on their way to relieve the garrison at Stirling Castle.		In the ensuing battle the English lost 10,00 men and the victory is believed by many to have led to the eventual independence of Scotland. There are excellent displays and an audio-visual presentation. A short walk from the centre's building is the flag pole and Rotunda marking the battle site, and nearby a rather magnificent statue of the King on horseback.

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Fraser's Dunblane Page
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Nestling between the rugged mountainous peaks of the Perthshire Highlands in the north and the rich fertile carse of Stirling in the south lies the ancient burgh of Dunblane. Dunblane is one of the country's smallest cities but has a rich and colourful heritage that far outweighs its size. The story of this charming city is interwoven with that of its magnificent cathedral. Click here to see a picture of Dunblane Cathedral. Come and discover Dunblane and Sheriffmuir.
Dunblane was founded in 602 A.D. by the Celtic missionary St. Blane (from whom the city derives its name). He lived with his followers in beehive shaped stone cells inside the old Dun or hill fort behind the town. St. Blane founded a church here and became one of the most prestigious churchmen of his time, known as Blaan the Triumphant'. After St. Blane's death (640 A.D.) Dunblane became a stronghold of the Culdee church who were probably responsible for building the lower four storeys of the cathedral tower. However, it was not until 1240 and the arrival of the 8th bishop, Clement, that building work began on the cathedral as it can be seen today. From then on Dunblane became an important centre of church and state.

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Today Dunblane still exudes an olde worlde charm where examples of seventeenth and eighteenth century architecture blend with Victorian and more modern buildings. The old town remains a quiet atmospheric place which provides many touchstones' of by-gone times. The city clusters around the bridge over the River Allan and visitors can enjoy a pleasant stroll by the river banks, or continue further along the Darn Walk, to the nearby town of Bridge of Allan and to Stevenson's Cave, so named because the writer Robert Louis Stevenson is reputed to have composed some of his famous novels here. Less than half a mile from the town centre are the Laighills and Ochlochy Park, also offering excellent walking opportunities as well as a number of tranquil and secluded spots for picnicking.
Although Dunblane isa thriving and prosperous community it actually reached the peak of its prestige and prosperity in 1500 when King James IV, who ruled Scotland from the nearby Royal burgh of Stirling , elected it a city. However, the fortunes of Dunblane took a dramatic turn during the Reformation when local landowners seized back the land their ancestors had gifted centuries before to the church and without funds the cathedral crumbled into ruin.
Dunblane's importance dwindled rapidly and it became only a poor weaving village noted for its trafficking in drink and tobacco. However, the skills of the weaver stayed with Dunblane and in King George IV's famous tartan review (1822), the Dunblane Tartan, of 14 different colours, was the most complicated of all recorded District tartans to weave, and remains a tribute to local skill.

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Some 3 miles east of Dunblane is the secluded spot of Sheriffmuir. It was here on the 13 November 1715 that a Jacobite uprising culminated in the bloody battle of Sheriffmuir. It was an inconclusive battle in which the right wing of each army overcame the opposing left wing and in the end neither could truly claim victory. An old Scots ballad immortalised the battle with the words "some say that they won, and some say that we won, and some say that none won at a". The great burial mounds are still visible as is the Gathering Stone where the powerful Duke of Argyll is said to have watched the opposing Jacobite army gather. Today Sheriffmuir is a hauntingly desolate spot that offers superb views and has a charming hostelry. The Jacobite cause touched the Dunblane area once again in 1745 when Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed at Balhaldie House on his way south with his Highland army. Ironically six months later the Duke of Cumberland stopped at Dunblane while pursuing the prince and his army now in retreat. A serving girl from Balhaldie Rouse nearly altered the course of history by throwing down a pail of boiling oil at the Duke which narrowly missed him.
The coming of the railway in 1845 brought prosperity back to the town and large villas were built for wealthy Victorian commuters. The huge Hydro, now a luxury hotel, was built as a spa in 1875 to take advantage of the local mineral waters. The magnificent cathedral was restored to its original glory in 1889 and is full of splendour and medieval treasures. As John Ruskin wrote , "He was no common man who designed the cathedral of Dunblane. I know of nothing so perfect in its simplicity, and so beautiful in all the Gothic with which I am acquainted".

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Visitors to this ancient city can enjoy the rich history of yesteryear with the modern amenities of today. The town offers a full range of holiday accommodation and a superb choice of places to eat. The narrow winding streets, offer a charming array of shops which includes excellent craft shops and a traditional goldsmith. The architecture of the old town of Dunblane is truly magnificent especially around the cathedral, in the medieval square, where there are delightful 18th century houses. Open to visitors is the Dean's House of 1624 which contains the Cathedral Museum with its fascinating exhibits while the Leighton Library (1681) contains over four thousand rare books. The historic suburb of Ramoyle is largely unchanged except that the thatched roofs of the whitewashed weavers' cottages are now slated.
Above Dunblane the site of the Dun can still be seen on the wooded hill where St. Blane lived 1400 years ago and founded this fascinating city. Add to this attractive riverside walks, parks, interesting shops, rich surrounding countryside on the edge of the Highlands, friendly local folk and a warm welcome at any of the local hostelries and it is easy to see why Duoblane and Sheriffmuir are popular with visitors.

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Fraser's Bridge of Allan Page
Bridge of Allan & The Wallace Monument

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Bridge of Allan is a charming little village nestling by the Allan Water. Overlooked by the National Wallace Monument, a towering tribute to Scotland's greatest freedom fighter, Sir William Wallace and by Stirling's imposing cliff-top castle. The village with its fine Victorian buildings and long standing reputation as a popular holiday destination has much to offer visitors. Come and discover Bridge of Allan.
Bridge of Allan is situated on and below the slopes of the westernmost portion of the beautiful Ochil Hills, just before they dwindle into the Dunbiane gap to the west, less than three miles, from the centre of Stirling. The first small settlement sprang up around a cornmill close to the bridge by the Allan Water.
On the slopes of the Ochil Hills above, copper was mined as early as the 16th century and at intervals thereafter right up to 1815. The main adit (entrance shaft) of the mine can still be seen today in the woodlands. The mine was worked by the villagers of another small community, formerly known as Pathfoot, on the Airthrey estate. In 1820, this estate was in the hands of Sir Robert Abercrombie. He was well informed on the fashion for visiting spas for health reasons and equally aware of the growing numbers of visitors in the vicinity, thanks to the writings of Sir Walter Scott, whose 'The Lady of the Lake' brought the Trossachs to a wide audience only a decade before.

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Sir Robert therefore decided to have the waters, springing from the area of the shaft, analysed. Following a favourable report on their curative properties he tidied up around the mine. Below it, a Well House was built soon afterwards (now gone) and the nearby Spa Pump Room can be seen today as Kipling's Restaurant, in Mine Road. As early as 1836, Tait's Edinburgh Magazine described Bridge of Allan as a 'small watering place, a delightful summer weekend retreat'. Certainly, the town had arrived.......
In 1844 the estate was bought by the equally energetic Major Henderson of Westenton. He set a grand expansion plan in motion. This period of prosperity resulted in much of the fine Victorian architecture seen today in both public buildings and private residences, although many of these were originally built as guest houses for those taking the waters.
In 1846, the railway first arrived in Bridge of Allan, further accelerating its development. A reading room, library and bowling green were among the facilities enjoyed by the Victorian visitors. Their routine revolved around the wells in the early morning, where the regime recommended drinking four pint tumblers, then spending the rest of the day enjoying local activities such as walks, drives and angling.

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Major Henderson's efforts in turning Bridge of Allan into a highly fashionable spa resort are recalled today in the main street, Henderson Street, and in such features as the Fountain of Nineveh (Fountain Road), complete with its cast iron Doric column. This was an 1851 whimsy of the Major which was named to commemorate the excavations going on at the time at the site of the original Nineveh (on the River Tigris in modern day Iraq).
Other interesting buildings springing from that time include the Museum Hall (now closed) with its arcades and Italian influenced palazzo styling, and also the 1860 Holy Trinity Church, now celebrated for the elegant furnishings added in 1904 by internationally acclaimed Scots architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Among the visitors to Bridge of Allan in its Victorian heyday were the Stevensons, from the famous lighthouse engineering family. The young Robert Louis Stevenson, who became perhaps the black sheep of the family by becoming a novelist, is also associated with a little cave on the Allan Water. The Stevensons spent many holidays in Bridge of Allan, the first when Robert Louis was only two years old. A plaque in the Royal Hotel, in Henderson Street, recalls one of his stays there.

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Today, there is still a wide choice of accommodation in Bridge of Allan, from hotels to smaller guest houses. Bridge of Allan is still on a main rail link north of Stirling and only one mile from the main road network of central Scotland. This Puller Memorial Park makes Bridge of Allan an excellent, relaxing base from which to explore the historic attractions of Royal Stirling and Scotland's other main towns and cities. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth are all within one hour's travel time. What's more, the magnificent scenery of the Trossachs, Loch Lomond and much of the Highlands is also within easy reach.
A variety of shopping is available from specialist suppliers, such as wood furnishings, classic poultry, glass and tapestry experts, outdoor pursuits, as well as second-hand books and an award-winning delicatessen. There is also a wide choice of eating places for light meals and casual snacks, as well as a Ia carte dining.
There are also several fine walks in the vicinity - see Darn Road and University of Stirling opposite. The woodlands (Mine Woods) above Bridge of Allan offer a number of walks, including a picturesque and sheltered pathway, with views across to Stirling, which passes by the old mineshaft, to which Bridge of Allan owes so much for the Victorian heritage seen today.
With its excellent shopping, handsome Victorian buildings and a warm welcome at any of the local hostelries it is evident why Bridge of Allan is a natural choice for a holiday or day visit.
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For personal mail, you can get me here [email protected]

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