Plymouth Stirling Train

The city of Plymouth lies between the River Plym and the River Tamar in the south west of England. Both rivers flow into Plymouth Sound, a natural harbour. Plymouth Sound is protected from the sea by the Plymouth Breakwater, which has been in use since 1814. In the Sound is Drake's Island which is seen from Plymouth Hoe, a flat public area on top of limestone cliffs. The River Tamar forms the county boundary between Devon and Cornwall and its estuary upon which Devonport Dockyard sits.

Due to its position on the coast, Plymouth has historically had a maritime based economy particular in the defence sector. Devonport Dockyard is the United Kingdom's only naval base that refits nuclear submarines. Plymouth also has the largest grouping of maritime businesses in the south west of England. The city also has the Plymouth Gin Distillery which has been producing Plymouth Gin since 1793.

Built in 1815, Union Street was at the heart of Plymouth's historical culture. It became known as the servicemen's playground, as it was where sailors from the Royal Navy would seek entertainment of all kinds. During the 1930s, there were 30 pubs and it attracted such performers as Charlie Chaplin to the New Palace Theatre. It is now the late-night hub of Plymouth's entertainment strip.

The Scottish city of Stirling is located in the centre of Scotland where Highland mountains and lochs meet Lowland cities and is the gateway to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland’s first national park. The Old Town is like a walk through history with the Castle, mansions, town walls, graveyards and ghosts. Once the capital of Scotland, Stirling contains the Great Hall and the Renaissance Palace within the Castle that rivaled any building in Europe at the time. Stirling also has its medieval parish church, The Church of the Holy Rude, where King James VI was crowned King of Scots on 29 July 1567. The Holy Rude still functions as a living church with a service every Sunday. The best way to explore Stirling is on foot. Walks range from history trails and countryside rambles to a children’s quiz walk and ghost tours. For example, the Back Walk runs along the 16th century Town Walls with glimpses into Old Town gardens and views over King’s Park to the distant mountains. The city is also an active city. Apart from its own football and rugby teams, visitors can play a round of golf, go for a swim or go horse riding.