#forth valley

Looking down Vicar Street Falkirk to the Ochil Hills with an icing sugar-like topping of snow.

Joseph McCarthy, 50, had pulled in front of the cyclists before braking unnecessarily in Larbert's Bellsdyke Road, causing them to brake.

McCarthy was later identified, reported and charged by the officers.

He was convicted of careless driving at Falkirk Justice of the Peace Court and had three points added to his licence.

A Forth Valley Division spokesman said: "The moral of this story is our officers regularly cycle to work and you never know when you might encounter a police officer."

The Ochil Hills today, taken from the corner of Manor Street and Vicar Street, Falkirk

The Ochils are a long range of steeply sided, round topped hills, stretching 25 miles from the Firth of Tay to Stirling.

There are many peaks over 2,000 ft offering splendid views across central Scotland and to the north. Colourful hill names include Whitewisp, Steele's Knowe, Craigentaggert, The Nebit, Bengengie, and Ben Cleuch which is the highest at 2,363 ft (721 m).

Visible from much of Strathearn, these rolling green hills are the backdrop for the villages of Bridge of Earn, Dunning and Auchterarder. Walkers can choose from a number of interesting lower level options through the glens, splendid individual hills or, for the energetic, enjoy a full traverse across the spine of the Ochil Range from Sheriffmuir to Glen Devon.

The Ochil Hills of Highland Perthshire, Fife and the Trossachs are all clearly visible from the many vantage points throughout the range.