Stirlingshire is central to Scotland and its history. Spanning the boundary between the Highlands and Lowlands, and standing at the heart of Scotland, the town of Stirling was ‘the key of the Highlands’. Granted city status in 2002 as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, it is a thriving city with a proud and distinctive identity, which retains much of its ancient character and a wealth of fine heritage buildings. Cattle were driven from all over Scotland to the great trysts at Falkirk and local foundries fuelled the Industrial Revolution. The military heritage of Stirlingshire is also in evidence in the numerous battlefields and memorials in the area. The greater part of the western section of the area includes vast swathes of great natural beauty, which are most clearly represented by the outstanding scenery of the Trossachs and Loch Lomond. The Millennium Link project and the monumental Kelpie statues are two of the more recent additions to the gems of the area. 50 Gems of Stirling District explores the many places and their history that make this part of Scotland so special, including natural features, towns and villages, buildings, and places of historical interest. The selection includes some of the major landmarks in the area and several possibly lesser-known and more uncommon places.

Jack Gillon is a long term resident of Edinburgh and has worked as a Town Planner involved in the conservation of the city’s heritage of historic buildings for around thirty years and has an extensive knowledge of the city's history and architecture. He writes extensively on the historical heritage of Scotland and has had several books published by Amberley.