If any part of Scotland could claim to be where tourism began, then it is here that visitors crossed the Highland line more than two centuries ago in search of the picturesque - and found it in the Trossachs. The trip to the east bank of Loch Lomond, at lnversnaid, via the Trossachs is still a magnificent celebration of scenic Scotland - though, arguably, even better is to take to Loch Katrine on the SS Sir Walter Scott, which has sailed the loch for a century. Much of the area is now Scotland's first National Park and its gateway and orientation centre, Loch Lomond Shores, is at Balloch on the south end of Loch Lomond. Visit to discover the story of Scotland's largest inland body of water (by surface area). Walking, sailing, cruising, angling and lots more are popular ways of making the most of this loch straddling Highland and Lowland, and overlooked by the sentinel peak of Ben Lomond.

In warlike days, whoever held Stirling held all Scotland, so important was this natural route centre on the Highland edge. Its castle was a favourite of the Stuart monarchs, and few places can match Stirling Old Town for historic atmosphere. From the ramparts of the castle, the long scarp face of the Ochils can be seen, below which are the Hillfoots towns with their textile traditions (look out for mill shops). Also in view from this high vantage point is the town of Falkirk, worth visiting to see the engineering wonder of the Falkirk Wheel. This new attraction links two canals with the world's only revolving boat lift.

Turning back to the Highlands, the sea-lochs of the west shape Cowal, between Loch Long and Loch Fyne. The blue water and bright green oakwoods of summer are sparkling and vivid, a special West Highland quality of light. lnveraray is a good touring centre here, with its range of nearby attractions including lnveraray Castle, seat of the Campbell clan chief. Pre-dating even the Scottish clans, the ancient sites in Knapdale to the west hold endless fascination. Their story is told at the Kilmartin House Museum of Ancient Culture. Further north is the resort and ferry port of Oban, from where there are good links to the islands as well as day cruise options, making it easy to sample the Hebridean islands.

Thanks to the mild climate of the west, gardens are a speciality, with Crarae, south of lnveraray, Arduaine south of Oban and the magnificent Benmore Botanic Gardens near Dunoon just a few examples. And in a rugged, scenic area well accustomed to welcoming visitors, from east to west, there are also a good range of operators offering riding and trekking, bike hire, watersports equipment hire, as well as specialists in climbing and hillwalking.