Craigmore, Aberfoyle, Stirling District, Scotland

Aberfoyle is probably one of the few places that I first visited on foot and, as it has happened, I have come to it and left it in the same way, an added level of distinction. It allowed me to complete the southern stages of the Rob Roy Way from its starting point in Drymen up as far as Callander as a two-day walk during a bank holiday weekend.

While it nestles in the midst of hills, they are low enough for woodland to carpet their slopes almost to their summits. This is gentler countryside than the rockier summits and headier heights that you find elsewhere. Saying that, the wilder rougher stuff isn't so far away and the place does offer a good base for exploring around Loch Ard and Loch Katrine, either by bike or car or even on foot. The introduction may be gentler, but there remain hints of what lies beyond with the stony summit of Craigmore being but one of those that you find along the banks of this part of the River Forth.