Carved in two by the Allan Water, Dunblane is a historic Perthshire town centred around a centuries-old cathedral. It flourished following the opening of a Scottish Central Railway station in 1848 and, with its convenient rail links, is now a popular commuter town for workers in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Things to do in Dunblane
One of the town’s most magnificent buildings is the Dunblane Cathedral, which was originally founded in the 7th century. While much of the current structure dates from the 13th century, the freestanding bell tower is from the 11th century. Admire the Gothic-style stained glass windows and the vaulted chamber of the choir, which contains a mural tomb of the cathedral’s founder, Bishop Clement.
Opposite the cathedral is the Dunblane Museum, which occupies a 17th-century townhouse that once housed the dean. It was originally established to exhibit religious treasures and now displays artefacts, paintings and documents related to life in the town. Of particular significance are the 4,000-year-old necklace made from cannel coal and the collection of communion tokens from across the globe.
If you want to stretch your legs, follow the scenic Dunblane Riverside Path as it winds its way along the banks of the Allan Water. Golfers can enjoy a round on the Cecil Hutchison and James Braid-designed Dunblane New Golf Club while kids will love the play equipment in Laighhills Public Park. In addition to a newly built skatepark, there are hilly hiking trails to explore.
Getting around Dunblane
Dunblane is around 10 minutes’ drive from Stirling and one hour from Edinburgh Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Trains connect from both Edinburgh and Glasgow to the Dunblane railway station and buses travel through the town. The centre of Dunblane can easily be explored on foot.