Clackmannanshire

Clackmannanshire may be Scotland's smallest county, but it packs in a fine variety of towns and villages beneath the Ochil Hills. Alloa is the main hub, with a good range of shops, cafes and transport links, making it a practical base for exploring the wider area. Dollar, by contrast, is a genteel small town best known for Dollar Academy and the dramatic Castle Campbell perched in its glen, ideal for those wanting a quieter, more scenic stay.

Tillicoultry sits at the foot of the Ochils and offers easy access to hillwalking trails, along with a steady, unhurried pace of life. Coalsnaughton is smaller still, a peaceful residential village suited to travellers who prefer to stay somewhere modest and self-contained while venturing out to the surrounding towns. Together these places show the contrast between Clackmannanshire's livelier centre and its calmer, hill-backed villages.

Clackmannanshire's small size makes it easy to base yourself almost anywhere in the county and still be close to the Ochil Hills or the Forth valley. Alloa offers the main concentration of places to stay, useful for those arriving by road or rail and wanting a straightforward base for exploring further afield, while Dunmar House Hotel sits well for that purpose.

Further into the hills, Dollar and Tillicoultry suit visitors keen on walking straight from the door, with Garvally House Guest House and Baldiesburn Bed & Breakfast offering a quieter, more rural stay. The Tormaukin Hotel and The Bridge Inn add options with a proper pub feel, good for an evening meal after a day on the hills.

None of these towns are far apart, so choice often comes down to whether you want a town base or something closer to open countryside.

Clackmannanshire packs a fair range into a small footprint, from clifftop history to family-friendly fun. Castle Campbell sits above Dollar Glen at Dollar, its ruined tower guarding the ravine known locally as Care for Little, and the walk up through the glen is as much a reason to visit as the castle itself.

Elsewhere the county turns more active. Firpark Ski Centre in Tillicoultry gives the Ochils a dry slope for skiing and boarding, while Jump N Joy Trampoline Park in Alloa is a straightforward wet-weather option for younger visitors. Between the three towns you get history, hills and indoor activity within easy reach of each other, making it simple to combine a couple in one day out.

Clackmannanshire's dining scene is compact but varied, with Alloa doing most of the heavy lifting. The town centre mixes casual spots like Bar Aldo and Tonis with community-minded venues such as Devonvale Hall, giving a choice between a quick bite and somewhere to settle in for the evening.

Beyond the main streets, the county's pubs and inns fill in the gaps - the Royal Oak Hotel and The Inn are useful markers for a proper sit-down meal or a pint after a day exploring the Ochils. Smaller cafes and takeaway-style places, including Mums The Word and Take A Break, suit anyone wanting something simpler.

Given the area's small size, most of these are within easy reach of each other, so it's worth picking based on the kind of evening you want rather than travelling far to find it.

Clackmannanshire packs a lot into a small county, and its campsites and glamping bases make a handy foothold for exploring the Ochil Hills without straying too far from Alloa or the Hillfoots villages. Riverside Caravan Park and Dam View suit those who want a straightforward pitch close to the water, while Longriggs Lodges and Devonknowes Lodges offer a more sheltered, self-contained stay for anyone after fixed accommodation rather than a tent.

Coalsnaughton and Dollar both give easy access to walking routes up into the hills, so where you base yourself often comes down to whether you want lodge comfort or the flexibility of a caravan pitch. The Woods Caravan Park adds another option for those touring by van, and with the whole county so compact, none of these sites leave you far from a change of scenery.

Scotland's smallest county packs a surprising amount into its patch of the Ochils and the Forth valley, and self-catering cottages here suit travellers who want the hills without the crowds of the Trossachs. Places like Nether Auchlinsky Cottage and Forestmill House sit well outside the main towns, with countryside on the doorstep and Dollar, Alva and Tillicoultry within easy reach for a pub meal or the day's shopping.

Others, such as GlenBeagles Lodge and Castle Campbell View, take advantage of the views towards Castle Campbell and the Ochil scarp, while properties grouped at Meeks Park, including The Orchard and The Paddocks, work well if you're travelling with another family or fancy having neighbours nearby without losing privacy.

Salmon Leap Lodge and Bridge End Lodge lean towards a quieter, riverside feel, and The Inn Cottages offer a more sociable base close to local amenities. With Stirling and the Kincardine Bridge nearby, this is a practical spot for exploring central Scotland while keeping to somewhere smaller and less busy in the evenings.