Location
Strathard is located within the spectacular scenery of the Trossachs. Glasgow is some 25 miles to the south and Stirling 20 miles to the east.With a population of around 1,000 it stretches westwards along the B829 from Braeval to Inversnaid taking in the communities of Aberfoyle (the most populous centre), Kinlochard, Inversnaid and Stronachlachar.

Population
The population of Strathard was 1352 at the time of the 2001 census. The age profile is fairly balanced, although like other areas of rural Scotland we do have a slightly higher than national average of older people. Interestingly, we seem to have a higher percentage of 16 – 19 year olds than other rural and urban areas of Scotland.

Housing
Social rented homes account for 16% of the housing from either the council or housing associations. This is higher than average within the National Park (14%), but much lower than that of Stirling Council Area (23%) or for Scotland as a whole (28%). Since the 2001 Census Rural Stirling Housing Association has completed the development of affordable housing at Kirkton Farm and Stronachlachar, however there is still a demand for homes which will allow lower income families and first time buyers to stay in the area.

Employment & the Local Economy
Aberfoyle is a major day trip destination for visitors from the central belt and people touring Scotland. A local estimate of the proportion of the Strathard workforce engaged in tourism is in the order of 35 to 40%. 20% of employment in the area is in hotels, compared with 15% across the National Park as a whole, and 6% across Scotland.

Education & Training
There are 2 Primary Schools in the area. Inversnaid Primary - one of the remotest in Stirlingshire - has a school roll of 4 and Aberfoyle Primary has a roll of 79. We also have a pre-school nursery, Trossachs Out of School Care and toddler groups. The majority of high school pupils travel by bus to McLaren High School in Callander and others travel to Balfron High.

Health and Social Care
Aberfoyle Medical Practice is a three-doctor practice with surgeries at the medical centre in Aberfoyle and in Buchlyvie. There are mid-wives, health visitors and a district nurse present, a chiropodist and physiotherapist attend the surgery. A dispensary is also available within the medical centre. The nearest provision for dentist, optician and chemist is Callander and Balfron.

Community Facilities & Activities
There is a wide range of community and sports facilities available throughout the area - Village Halls, Play Parks, Golf Course, and access to football, water sports and bowling. However, without transport they are not all easily accessible and all facilities are in need of improvement. The nearest indoor sports centre is the McLaren Leisure Centre in Callander.

Environment & Outdoor Recreation
There is a network of local paths with something for everyone, residents and visitors, walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, dog walkers, buggy pushers and joggers. David Marshall Lodge offers the high wire forest adventure course and some of the most spectacular views in the area, one taking in the spectacular scenery across Loch Ard Forest to Ben Lomond. There is a host of landscape designations in the area including SSSI’s, AncientWoodlands and the RSPB reserve at Inversnaid.

Heritage
The Garrison at Inversnaid, McGregor of Glengyle burial ground, Duchray Castle, Aberfoyle School and the Parish Church are a few of the many listed buildings recorded in the Strathard area. Amongst the historic figures of the area is Reverend Robert Kirk, a scholar, and author of the first translation of the Book of Psalms into Gaelic.