Fancy walking off your hearty Scottish breakfast? Take a stroll from Castle Walk B&B through the Old Town to Upper Bridge Street – and then down Lower Bridge Street through the tunnel under the traffic circle. You will soon find yourself strolling on a peaceful path alongside the River Forth.

Expect to see herons and other birdlife and, if you are lucky, a deer or two. Otters have been sighted in the area by the locals, too – but those are a rarity.

It’s a tidal river, so as the River Forth ebbs and flows, it uncovers an assortment of flotsam and jetsam – including vintage bicycles and a clatter of trolleys. The swans and ducks enjoy their equivalent of white water rafting, so expect to see them playing on the rocks under the historic bridges that punctuate the river.

This river has witnessed many important battles, including the Battle of Stirling Bridge and was once an important waterway for transporting goods and people to and from Edinburgh.

Add an extra 15 minutes to your walk and you can explore Cambuskenneth Abbey, which includes a burial ground for old kings. The abbey is one of Stirling’s best kept secrets, so mind the Heilan Coos as you cross the farmyard to get to this historic treasure.