Off up to the proper north soonish and have a long journey from Manchester area with the kids (7 months and 3.5 years).

Looking for a stop around Dunblane/Stirling area where we can get a bite to eat, about 5/6pm, get the kids in their PJs and crack on with the rest of the journey.

Any suggestions from the massive? Can be closer to Glasgow or further up A9 than Dunblane/Stirling. Route is m74, m73, M80 then A9. Not too much of a diversion would be awesome.

Any suggestions which don’t involve Services (we will have already stopped at Teebay obvs!)?

Cheers in advance.

Inveralmond roundabout (Perth) for a Costa and M&S food.
or the chip shop in Bridge of Allan is decent ish,
The Perthshire visitor centre (Bankfoot) is another option, but you’ll be 40 mins on from Stirling there.

The chip shop in bridge of Allan is pretty good. Has proper tables as well which might be good for the kids.

The Highland Gate is just of the M9 in Stirling, its a little bit like a beefeater / harvester type place at first glance but is neither of those so actually pretty nice. It specialises in rotisserie chicken.

Or Corrieri’s in causewayhead (Italian) is a little further off theroad but might be busy and you need to book if Friday or Sat night.

Allanwater cafe is great imho and you’ll struggle with a large supper!

Corrieri’s is good.
There’s a park just down the road too so you can burn off some energy.

http://www.corrieris.co.uk/location.htm

Probably best to phone ahead. Allanwater is also another option – and there’s field just the other side of the river to run around in.

Nip into Glenaagles for a quick supper in the clubhouse. The setting will inspire them for a long time.

Thirded Bridge of Allan and cafe or food – Allanwater chippy/cafe with river and park 50m up road.

There is also just a whacking big Sainsburys directly below north of Stirling castle with cafe, MacD’s and fuel.

Look great choices. Thanks all. I’m sure we have stopped at that M&S before. Is it next to an outdoor shop with a kids soft play inside? Genius. That’ll be a long stop in case we fancy going a bit further before the stop.

Fish and Chips winning at the moment. Looks perfect! Mrs Beagles fave too.

Gleneagles has been recommended to me before, may have to wait until kids can eat dinner without sending it in a two metre radius around them! Sounds/looks great.

Cheers folks – much appreciated!

Corrieri’s is very good for a quick meal, but for me it would be to far off-route.

Highland gate is a chain pub type place, right next to the motorway & has baby changing, play area (inside & out), so is really family friendly. We have only been once, but I think it would be my choice at Stirling. https://www.highlandgatepubkildean.co.uk/

Tiso at Inveralmond roundabout in perth has soft play and a good little cafe, we are probably there about once a week (with a 2.5 year old). I’m not sure if the opening hours for soft play (tiso tots) would suit though & it would probably be unbearable to take a toddler for food when the soft play is closed.. https://www.tiso.com/shops/perth-outdoor-experience

There are also quite a few good little cafe’s only a mile or so off the A9 in Auchterarder which I could recommend. Cafe Bianco is our favourite for a quick family dinner out http://www.bianco2go.co.uk/ but there are a quite a few.

BTW, Happendon services on the M74 is now owned by the same people at Tebay & Gloucester.

HTH

Aye, auchterarder, or even pop off the 74 at Glasgow.

That’s interesting re Happendon, never knew that, it’s been best avoided for years that one.