Stirling really is a great base for a holiday and The Ridge would also serve very well as a base, should your work bring you here or should you attend one of the Open University courses at the nearby University of Stirling.

It goes without saying that there are excellent transport connections in every direction, with both Edinburgh and Glasgow being accessible in well under an hour by road or rail.

In the town itself the castle is magnificent and certainly worth a visit - it hosts regular events such as medieval days with falconry displays, historical re-enactments and the like. The Royal Palace at the Castle has recently undergone refurbishment and boasts the famous Stirling Heads. The Wallace Monument commemorates Scotland's great patriot and affords panoramic views of central Scotland and the famous battlefield of Bannockburn, synonymous with Robert the Bruce, is also just outside the town.

There is plenty to do and see in the surrounding area too - perhaps you could 'cadge a lift' in the nearby Falkirk Wheel, have a family day out at the Safari centre at Blair Drummond, visit historic Doune Castle, walk in the Fintry Hills or the Campsie Fells, or head across to Callander and the beautiful Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

To the north east, you can be in Perth in 40 minutes and continue from there to the Highlands, or go east to Fife and St Andrews. All easily do-able in a day trip.