The Area

Fintry

Culcreuch Estate is situated at the foot of the Fintry Hills close to the village of Fintry, near Stirling in Scotland.

The Lodges face south-west and look out over wooded policies to the Campsie Fells opposite.

As ancient Clan Seat of the Galbraiths, Culcreuch Castle has traditionally occupied a strategic position above the Endrick Water at the gateway to the hills and the Estate Lodges enjoy the same positioning.

Beyond, to the north and west, the Endrick Valley opens out to form a broad plain with Ben Lomond in the distance while, behind the Lodges, the rugged hillside contrasts delightfully with the productive farmland which flanks the River Endrick.

This area has remained remarkably unspoilt despite its accessibility to many of Scotland's principal cities and towns. Glasgow is only 40 minutes drive, with Edinburgh only slightly longer. Stirling too is very close, with regular Inter-City rail connections from all of these, to North and South. Both Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports offer a wide range of domestic and international flights.

Culcreuch is a very special Estate, with its unique combination of ancient Castle Hotel, wooded policies, farms and lochs, as well as the Lodges, all totally secluded on the edge of the Fintry Hills.

The surrounding countryside is amongst the most attractive and unspoilt to be found anywhere in Central Scotland as Fintry has always been a rural backwater, served only by minor roads, so preserving its old fashioned charm.

You must come and experience its magic for yourself.

The Highlands

The Scottish Highlands contain most of the mountains, or Bens as they are called, such as Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland.

Many are easily accessed on a day out from Culcreuch Castle Hotel......

Central Scotland

The "Central Belt of Scotland" is a common term used to describe the area of highest population density within Scotland. Despite the name, it is not geographically "central", but in fact nearer the south of the country by distance.

The Scottish Central Belt lies between the Scottish Highlands to the north and the Southern Uplands to the south, with Culcreuch Castle Hotel strategically positioned right in the middle, making it an ideal base to explore Scotland.

Smaller Central Belt

The area is often considered as a strip following the M8 and M9 motorways stretching from Greenock and Glasgow in the west to Edinburgh in the east, encompassing towns such as Paisley, Cambuslang, Hamilton, Stirling, Falkirk, Livingston and Linlithgow.

Larger Central Belt

The larger Central Belt of Scotland is a trapezoid stretching from Dundee, to Ayr, and Dumbarton to Dunbar. This also takes in fairly densely populated areas such as Ayrshire, Fife, Midlothian and East Lothian. This area encompasses all the major cities of Scotland, except for Aberdeen and Inverness which are located in the North of the country.

Both of these areas also contain the bulk of Scotland's industrial works.

Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park

Loch lomond and the Trossachs National Park is only a few miles from Culcreuch Estate and the Lodges make an excellent base to explore the many visitor attractions in the Park.

Stirlingshire

Stirlingshire is a Scottish County with many historic connections, such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, but with very new Visitor Attractions such as the ingenious Falkirk Wheel.

Things to Do at Culcreuch Estate Self Catering Lodges

The area of Scotland around Culcreuch Castle has much to offer Estate Lodge guests during their stay, in addition to the Estate itself, with its varied walks and interesting parkland.

If inclined, Carp fishing on the larger of Culcreuch Estate's private loch is available free of charge to Lodge Residents.

There is a children's play area at the rear of the main Castle building, some 200 yards from the Lodges.

Visitor attractions within a day's outing from Culcreuch Castle Hotel include the new City of Stirling, with its splendid Castle and the National Wallace Monument.

St. Andrews and Gleneagles are close enough for serious golf addicts, with scenic Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park only a twenty minute drive.

Whisky distilleries, hillwalks and many small traditional Scottish villages are all around for those wishing to taste the real Scotland.

The modern and ingenious Falkirk Wheel is another local attraction worth a visit, as is the Bannockburn Heritage Centre and Battlesite, so dear to the Scots.

The major Scottish Cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh are less than an hour's drive from Culcreuch Castle and reputed to be the best shopping destinations in the UK, outside of London, although Stirling shopping, which is more convenient, is still well worth a visit.