Poachers Hut

The Poachers Hut is in a cracking location for exploring Central Scotland. The Lake of Menteith (five minutes’ drive, Scotland’s only ‘loch’ called a ‘lake’) offers up fly fishing and waterside hikes, while you can rent bikes at Aberfoyle (15 minutes) to get out exploring the trails of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park (20 minutes). Get a taster of the park’s gorgeous forest and lake scenery by following the Three Lochs Forest Drive, or jump on a steamer at Loch Katrine Visitor Centre (half an hour) to tour the water. At Blair Drummond Safari Park (20 minutes) you can spend the day in the company of rhinos, lions and elephants, cruise the boating lake or watch birds of prey flying shows. Historic Stirling (25 minutes) is home to an austere castle on its rocky crag, open for tours of its kitchens and chapel as well as regular summer events and theatre performances. At the fabled landmark Wallace Monument (half an hour), clamber up 246 steps to reach The Royal Chamber, with immersive displays on the Battle of Stirling Bridge of 1297, and panoramas from the viewing deck.