Best of the Forth Valley - Sally Forth for a rich trail of history

A NEW project, called Forth’s Timeline, has been launched by 16 visitor centres in the Forth Valley. The area is contains a wealth of history and many of the exhibitions are free. For more things to see and do visit ||WEBSTART||www.forthstimeline.net||WEBSTOP||

1. JD FERGUSSON MEMORIAL COLLECTION, University of Stirling Art Collection, 01786 466050, www.artcol.stir.ac.uk

In the University of Stirling Pathfoot building hang 14 works by Scottish Colourist artist John Duncan Fergusson. Margaret Morris Fergusson, the widow of the artist, and the JD Fergusson Art Foundation presented the paintings to the University in 1968. Works by other artists can also be enjoyed around the university grounds.

2. THE WORLD’S OLDEST FOOTBALL, Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, 01786 471917 www.smithartgallery.demon.co.uk

Discovered in the rafters of Stirling Castle during renovation work, what is thought to be the world’s oldest football is now resident down the road at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum. Dated around 1520, the ball is made from leather and an inflated pig’s bladder. The Stirling Smith also hosts a collection of works by Leonardo da Vinci until 2 November.

3. GEORGIAN KITCHEN at Callendar House, Callendar Park, Falkirk, 01324 503770 tinyurl.com/6xkj6e

Callendar House is home to a working traditional kitchen from 1825. Visitors can sample authentic Georgian food, listen to stories about life below stairs, and watch the costumed kitchen staff go about their daily tasks. The house has welcomed historical figures over the centuries including Mary, Queen of Scots, Cromwell and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

4. THE CLACKMANNANSHIRE TOWER TRAIL. Various sites in Clackmannanshire. clacksweb.org.uk/visiting/towertrail/

A trail of five medieval tower houses built by the area’s aristocrats, who needed to be near the royal court in Stirling. The tower trail is free to follow but there may be a charge to enter some buildings. Each has its own fascinating story. Some were attacked and most accommodated royalty at one point. One was later at the centre of an amazing formal landscape and another witnessed the ‘knighting’ of the poet Robert Burns.

5. ROMAN FORTLET at Kinneil Museum, Kinneil Estate, near Bo’ness 01506 778530 tinyurl.com/4duz6a

Only a short walk from the Kinneil Museum is a part of a Roman Fortlet. It forms part of World Heritage Site the Antonine Wall. Built in AD142 on the orders of Emperor Antoninus Pius, the wall marks the most northern point of the Roman conquest of Britain.