Stirling and Perthshire

What it is like

This is the middle of Scotland. Stirling is a small city with a castle, a university and a fast train to both big cities. Perth, on the River Tay, is the gateway to Highland Perthshire. Between and around them are market towns, lochs and hills, with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park to the west.

Where people live

Around Stirling: Bridge of Allan and Dunblane, both popular with families and both on the railway. Callander and Doune for smaller towns on the edge of the Trossachs. Alloa and the Hillfoots villages in Clackmannanshire, with a rail link to Stirling.

Perthshire: Perth itself, and the towns of Crieff, Auchterarder, Blairgowrie, Aberfeldy and Pitlochry. Further north, homes become more rural and more spread out.

Falkirk: well placed between Glasgow and Edinburgh, with lower prices.

Getting about

Stirling is on the main lines to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and the north. Perth has trains to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen. The M9 and M80 link Stirling to Edinburgh and Glasgow; the A9 heads north through Perthshire to Inverness. In rural Perthshire you will need a car.

Homes

Prices in the most popular towns, such as Bridge of Allan and Dunblane, can be close to Edinburgh suburbs, and good family houses often go to a closing date. Further from the railway, prices fall. Older stone houses can need work, so read the Home Report condition ratings closely.

Rented homes outside Stirling and Perth are limited. See our guide to renting.

Schools

Places follow catchment by address. In rural Perthshire, secondary catchments are large and some pupils travel a long way by school bus, so check the distance before you buy.