Tom Weir Statue

Tom Weir was a Scottish mountain man - broadcaster, writer, climber - and his statue stands in Stirling as a proper tribute to someone who actually got out there and did the things he talked about. It's the sort of memorial that makes sense in a town like this, gateway to the Highlands, where folk still take their walking seriously.

You'll find it in Stirling itself, which sits about 30 miles north of Glasgow. The statue is a straightforward bronze affair - nothing flashy, which feels right for Weir's no-nonsense approach to the outdoors. It's the kind of thing you'd visit if you're passing through town anyway, or if you're staying at one of the nearby parks around Loch Lomond and fancy a cultural detour that takes maybe twenty minutes of your time.

For hill walkers and outdoor types, it's worth a look - there's something motivating about standing in front of someone who spent his life pushing into wild country. Less relevant if you're after the kind of holiday that doesn't involve mountains and proper boots. Stirling's got other attractions if you want to make an afternoon of it, but this isn't a destination visit in itself.

Doing a Loch Lomond camping trip? Milarrochy Bay and the glamping spots like Loch Lomond Retreat make sensible bases. The statue's an easy run from any of those, and it breaks up the routine if rain keeps you off the water one afternoon.