He who controlled Stirling once controlled Scotland. The bridge over the River Forth was for centuries the only link between lowland and highland, and the rugged landscape surrounding it is littered with the debris of past feuds. Although it sees its share of tourists, Stirling has avoided being gussied up to the eyeballs in tartan. Now is the time to visit, with fewer people and a line-up of Christmassy events as part of the Stirling Winter Festival. The Back Walk path runs up from the Church of the Holy Rude — scene of James VI of Scotland’s coronation in 1567 — and hugs the volcanic crag for views of the Forth Valley as you loop back to Stirling Castle…

Source: The Times November 18, 2018 00:15 UTC