recommendations for b&b or apartment near Glasgow

How much time are you thinking of spending in Glasgow? You might stay in Stirling. It's not far to the Trossachs from Stirling and you can easily take the train to Glasgow from Stirling. You could also look at towns that are on the train link that goes north to Fort William. But it will still be a bit of a drive to the Trossachs from either location. I stayed in Calendar one time, but would not recommend the B&B I stayed in. Calendar is closest to the Trossachs. BTW the prior in the Lake of Menteith is an interesting place to visit.

Pam

I was thinking about a week or week and a half altogether. I wanted to do some hiking in the Trossachs on days that are not pouring with rain. That's why I was thinking of day trips to Glasgow on those days - if there are any. I didn't want to just go hiking "these days" and be in Glasgow "these days." I wanted to be close to both so I could mix it up.

I'll try looking in the places you suggested. Thanks. :)

Oh and if I end up staying in Sterling, I should have a look around there as well. Anything in particular I should see besides the castle?

Stirling has the Wallace Monument, and some other historic sites. The visitor center for Bannockburn is good, but there's not much other than a bare field for the actual battlefield. Oh, and a big statue of Robert the Bruce, of course. Since you have a car, you could also check out Doune Castle of Monty Python fame. Also, it's a really fast trip into Edinburgh on the train from Stirling as well. Lots to see and do there.

In the Trossachs, check out Balquhidder. At the beginning of the Glen is Rob Roy's grave. And if you keep driving out the Glen you'll find some hiking paths. BTW I would strongly recommend that you have waterproof hiking boots and a good walking stick. The trails are always damp. I recommend rain pants and a good goretex jacket. Also, watch the weather. Don't assume because it is raining when you wake up that it will still be raining in an hour. They aren't always right, but it is helpful. I have a midgie hat. I got it in Edinburgh at Millets. Basically it's netting that goes over your head and keeps the midgies out. The only times I used it in the past week was at lunch time. (Mine is big enough that you can sneak your cup or sandwich up under it. I also take along repellent, which I only used once and convertible pants that I actually took the legs off and wore as shorts twice this past week!

The steamboat ride was fun on Loch Katrine. If I were to do it again, I would definitely rent a bike and bike back. There are also some nice walks near Dunkeld and Aberfeldy.

Pam

Here are some walking websites that can be useful. http://walking.visitscotland.com/walks/

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/

There are a number of walking holiday tour companies that you might want to check out. The advantage of the tour company is that you don't always have to do a circular route.

Pam

Thanks for the advice and info. I definately have the gortex jacket. I know the weather changes in an instant all over that island. It's raining, then it's not, then it starts dripping, then it stops, then suddenly the sky opens up and it pours. I became a master of taking pics from under my umbrella in Yorkshire. It's so iffy though. I just didn't want to start a hike when thunderstorms are predicted and then get caught in it when I'm half way up a mountain. On the other hand on another trip MANY years ago, it hardly rained at all. :)

Stupid question, but what's the walking stick for? I've done quite a lot of hiking in the Rockies (American and Canadian) as well as in the Southwest and occasionally see people with walking sticks but never figured out why they were necessary. They always seemed like a hinderance to me if you need to throw your arms out suddenly to regain your balance.

I too used to wonder about them and then borrowed one and have been using it ever since. It actually helps with balance. In Scotland there is a lot of water su you are constantly on stepping stones fording streams. It helps. Also, it's useful when crossing boggy bits to poke about looking for the more solid ground. Did I mention that it was wet? ; ). Pam

Isn't the name "Scotland" derived from an Old Gaelic word that means "place that is really wet?" ;)

OK, how long is your walking stick and are you able to carry it onto the plane with you? I don't want to buy one and not be able to take it home.

The walking stick is one of the metal kinds that can shrink down. I got mine here at REI, but also have bought them in Europe. They are at all out door stores. It might be cheaper here though. You only need one. The people who use two have a special walking technique that you won't use in Scotland.

As for the name, I've looked and not found any reference to water. ; ( In fact, interestingly, both Scotland and Caledonia seem to be names imposed by the Romans. Caledonia has a better shot at having Pictish origins, Scot supposedly comes from Scota who was a daughter of a pharaoh in Egypt who some how ended up in Scotland. BTW Trossachs means cross-hill. (I have a lovely book on Scottish Place Names!)

Pam