A few local photos for you. The cycling shot is on the road from Thornhill to Callander, so looking north towards Ben Vorlich. One of my favourite cycles is from Dunblane along to Doune and along the back Deanston road (past Torrie, Lanrick). Then up and over to Thornhill and back down to Doune and Dunblane via Argaty.

The second photo is a shot from the shores of Loch Lubnaig looking towards Ben Ledi. It’s fun to break the sheets of ice but is so beautiful on a cold winters day. Often in shadow. Lovely for a kayak or swim.

The third photo is at Bracklinn Falls above Callander. The bridge is reasonably modern but is beautiful. If you look at a map and follow the road above Callander (not the main road) that goes into the hills and tracks round to Glen Artney. I would like to mountain bike through from Callander – Glen Artney and on to Comrie some time.

The geography of the area and the distance by modern roads can sometimes make places like Callander and Comrie seem far apart. But they are not. Same for Lianach and Finglas by modern road. There are mountain passes and drovers routes that crisscross.

Even yesterday I walked down Baxter’s Loan in Dunblane (it is five minutes from me) and on to the Old Darn Road. These are old “roads” that they believe were part of a network that linked Doune, Dunblane and Bridge Of Allan. We live in fear of house builders but it is lovely that you can still walk these roads and imagine who has also done so in the past. There are some massive oaks that line the “road” and they will have seen plenty.

We breed them tough in Scotland. This is the local sailing club out on Loch Venachar to the west of Callander. I like swimming in here.