Alva Brae is a little known valley, just a little to the south-east of Stirling. Travelling time from Gourock is around ninety minutes.
Walking up the valley is not too challenging for a healthy adult, and the waterfall emerging from a cave is certainly exciting for even grown-up children and well worth the scramble.
Gourock is the nearest town to Castle Levan.
In years gone by Gourock was a centre for rope making, copper mining and kipper production (cured herring). In the 19th century Gourock became a thriving tourist resort located at the end of the railway line from Glasgow. It was a fine destination for those going, 'doon the watter' (down the water) on one of the many river-boat trips on the Firth of Clyde.
Gourock was, and still is a major centre for yachting. The Royal Gourock Yachting Club has some unusual customs including those of skippers wearing brown brogues with their blazers and not sporting white covers on their caps; apparently, when King George VI visited the club he lacked the usual attire and so borrowed the shoes and the skippers present removed their cap covers in deference to their King.
Today, Gourock is beginning to rekindle its former glory. Gourock is still popular for day trips and yachting and provides a staging point for travellers taking the ferries to Dunoon, Kilcreggan and Helensburgh, and Bute. Gourock is overlooked by, 'Granny Kempock's Stone', a prehistoric stone (1.8 meters) that is supposed to offer protection from shipping accidents; it was also used by couples seeking 'Granny's blessing'. Another monument overlooking Gourock is the 'Free French Memorial'. This commemorates French servicemen who died during World War II.
The nearby Cloch Point Lighthouse (1796) is still in operation.
Oban is a delightful fishing village on the Western Highlands of Scotland. Perched above the town is McCaig's Folly; this is a spectacular amphitheatre financed by a local businessman as a project to provide unemployed men with worthwhile work. The distillery in Oban is also worth a visit; its single malt is gently aromatic and a characteristic example of highland. Just outside Oban is Dunstaffe Castle. Built directly on a rocky out-crop, Dunstaffe Castle is on the site of one Scotland's oldest fortifications.
En-route from Gourock to Oban is the characterful town of Inverarry, with an ancient jail (open to the public), a castle and old merchant sailing vessel.
Also en-route is Kilchurn Castle, now an atmospheric ruin on an island in a loch.
Before the Clyde was dredged to enable navigation to Glasgow, this is as far as ships could travel.
Once a major centre for ship-building, Port Glasgow is in the process of redefining it's image. Whilst not the first place on anyone's tourist route, it does have some attractions. These include the late 15th Century Maxwell stronghold of Newark Castle; and decent views across the Clyde towards Helensburgh. Normally the town sports a replica of the 'Comet', the world's first steam-boat, which was constructed here - currently the Comet is away for restoration.
Just outside Port Glasgow is the popular Finlaystones House and Gardens; Quarriers Village, near Bridge-of-Weir and the well preserved weaver's village of Kilbarchan.
There's plenty to see and do in Rothesay including a castle (one of the last to be in Viking control), putting greens, picturesque harbour, small beach, and a famous Victorian gents public lavatory that is even open for ladies to view at certain times! One of Rothesay's other claims to fame is an award winning fish and chip shop.
Elsewhere on the island there are other excellent beaches and grand houses with magnificent gardens.
Access to Rothesay is via a regular ferry from Wemyss Bay. There's no need to take your car as the ferry moors in the heart of the town. If you decide to take your car it's possible to do a round-trip returning to Gourock via one of the Dunoon ferries.
