Perth Road Flower beds

The flower beds along Perth Road in Stirling are a proper local treasure, though you'd be forgiven for walking straight past them if you weren't looking. What makes them worth a stop is their scale - we're talking generous planted borders that run for a decent stretch, filled with seasonal blooms that transform throughout the year. Spring brings cheerful tulips and daffodils, summer explodes with vibrant bedding plants, and autumn delivers rich golds and oranges. It's the sort of thing that takes ten minutes to appreciate properly, though you could spend longer if you're the type who photographs every planting combination.

Families with younger kids won't find much to occupy them beyond the visuals, but serious gardeners and plant enthusiasts will spend time studying the planting schemes and colour combinations. The flower beds are free to view - they're a municipal display, after all - and since they're on a roadside, there's no faffing about with opening hours or admission fees.

If you're based at Witches Craig Caravan & Camping Park or Craighead Howf near Dunblane, Perth Road makes an easy afternoon detour while exploring Stirling. It's not something to plan a trip around on its own, but combined with a walk around Stirling town centre or a visit to the castle, it rounds out a pleasant few hours. The best time to visit is late spring through early summer when the plantings are at peak impact. Don't expect drama - expect a well-maintained splash of colour that shows off what good municipal horticulture can achieve.