European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 14, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A c o t a a x p hikers Are sure to enjoy the Many paths that run All Over the Trossachs. A amps file the Trossachs b a. Scotland cd l a Stirlin it Edinburgh a amps a continued from Page 11. Visitors and lose them in the landscape in the summer season a 90-year-old steam powered boat the sir Waller Scott runs cruises along the Lake. For a More tranquil Lakeside experience go Back toward Callander and take a Short drive North on as4 to the Small town of  wind your Way Back to a821 and through Zachray Forest drive a 7-mile-Long Forest Road. In the autumn season the Forest foliage is alive with Golden colors. Unlike american Pine Trees the Pines in this scottish Forest Are deciduous shedding their leaves annually. The Forest drive will bring you to the Small Village of Aberfoyle Home of the scottish Woolen Mill Center. From there you can take a left onto a81, Back to Callander. South of Callander on a04 is the Small town of Doune once a Center for pistol making. Doune Castie is one of the Best preserved medieval castles in Scotland and stands on an imposing River site a favorite local haunt for fishing Doune also has a motor museum Home to the second oldest Rolls Royce in the world. Worth visiting in the area a Stirling Castle if you re into castles Don t miss this one. The Castle is perched on a Rock above town and has survived centuries of warfare. Excellent views of the Countryside beyond and plenty of thick Walls inside a spectacular banquet room is under renovation. The town of Stirling is a pleasant overnight Stop with plenty of restaurants and guesthouses to choose from a Callander this is the traditional starting Point into the Trossachs. The Small picturesque town is lined with Wool shops carrying sweaters plaids and other scottish souvenirs. The streets Bustle with traffic. If you want to shop for Wool products in Scotland this is an excellent place. Callander is also a Good place to stay overnight a it has several Friendly hotels and guest houses. Prices Range from $30 to $60 a night if you feel like splurging. There s a hotel called the roman Camp a Manor House built for Dukes but used As a hotel since world War Al. Here you can be whisked into a world of old elegance stroll through expansive gardens on the River and relax in snug elegant rooms. Rods Are provided for those who want to fish and there s a Library of books. Phone number 0877-30003 rates up to s70 a night per person with special rates for children a bad Quadder Balquhidder gives the sense of being Quot Way out there it a Small Village tucked away and running along a Beautiful Lake and a Good place to picnic sit meditate or propose to your Girlfriend. The town is known As the burial spot of Folk hero Rob Roy Scotland s version of Robin Hood. Rob Roy was a cattle dealer who outwitted government armies in troubled times and uprisings of the 18th Century his body lies in the Church graveyard. / a Aberfoyle scottish Wool Center this is your Basic factory outlet a except for a live sheep show. Great Britain a Home for 60 million people has a sheep population of 40 million. The show is designed for kids and grown ups alike with the emcee bringing out seven species of sheep ranging from a tiny Cashmere Goat to some More aggressive horned species brought Over As a food source by the Vikings hundreds of years ago. Meanwhile a Border Collie races around the ring to make sure none of them tries to hop the Fence. All in All the show presents a history of great Britain through these not so smart albeit useful creatures. Activities a walking bring your hiking boots or just Wear sneakers and stretch your legs. Walking trails run All Over the Trossachs just ask for information or look at a map. There Are two celebrated Hills around Loch Zachray seven Miles West of Callander. The More serious one is Ben venue which will take about four or five hours. Ben a an starts with a Steep climb off the main a821 but Lightens out. You will find spectacular views at the top in two or three hours. A fishing Scotland was made for fishing just bring a Rod the rest is easy. A Castle spotting Stirling Castle is the obvious visit but there Are castles and Manor Homes dotting the Countryside. Some Are open to visitors others Are private Homes but they certainly make for fun viewing and conjuring up images of How people lived in the old Days constantly facing the threat of invasion and War. A Wool and plaid shopping it would t be difficult to go overboard on both. Sweaters Kilts scarves and other Woolen goods Are plentiful and reasonably priced. Callander is the Best place to shop because of the variety and the comfortable setting. Prices vary by Quality. A whisky tasting Scotland is very proud of its whisky heritage. You can visit a whisky distillery or simply Sample hundreds of varieties depending on your tolerance. 77ie bore Stone bar in Stirling for example stocks Over 400 scottish malts. At most pubs you la find a variety of before dinner Matts after dinner Maits and a Large category for anytime Clen Riddich is one of the Best known whiskies but names that Are even harder to pronounce include Bunnah Bhain and Bruichladdich. For a nearby trip to a distillery where they make the stuff there Are Tours at Gle Goyne distillery located in Dun Goyne on the a81 Between Stirling and Glasgow Telephone 041-3326361. Tara Joseph is Ari american journalist living in England. $ stripes Magazine july 14, 1994