Wee update for posterity:
Callander – Loch Lubnaig (the forest holidays place) – Lovely tarmac, especially nice along the river, sort of tarmac singletrack
Loch Lubnaig side – Mostly fine, smooth gravel. My friend on his 25c road bike was having no issues.
Zig-zags from Loch Lubanig side to Strathyre – rougher/looser singletrack on the zig zags, then rougher forest track to Strathyre. Felt a bit of pity for Ali on his 25s, there was no way to avoid a chattering along here and he was starting to wonder about fitting some 28s…
Strathyre – Kingshouse – we stuck to tarmac minor roads
Kingshouse – Lochearnhead – All fine gravel which posed no problems on 25s.
So in conclusion if you’re hardy enough 25s would cut it but 28s minimum to enjoy yourself. For me on my 40c slicks the rough bits were the only bits of the ride where I wasn’t slowing my mate down so I enjoyed them immensely 8)