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City in Scotland
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Stirling is a city in the central lowlands of Scotland, and historically the county town of Stirlingshire. For centuries this was the main route between the Highlands and the Lowlands, guarded by the castle on its battleship of a crag, and with the River Forth sweeping round as a moat. The Scots won two famous victories against the English on the nearby fields, at Stirling Bridge and at Bannockburn. Medieval Scottish rulers made it their residence and capital.
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Pocket-sized edition of Edinburgh Castle, similarly poised on a crag with steep cliffs on three sides and tail of glacial rubble. It dates back at least to the 12th century, but most of the interior is from the 15th and 16th when James IV, V and VI developed it as a royal residence in Renaissance style. It became an army base in 1800 and remains the HQ of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, though they are nowadays quartered in Edinburgh. Visits take in the Great Hall, the Palace and Chapel Royal, the kitchens, tapestries, vaults, the gardens, and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regimental museum. There is limited access for those with restricted mobility, but the "access gallery" gives them a view of the hard-to-reach sections. Argyll's Lodging just outside the gate is a fine 17th-century town house, erected by the 1st Earl of Stirling, but remains closed for building work. Unicorn Cafe inside the castle serves good quality food but is pricey.
Beautiful church from 15th century with impressive stained glass; James VI of Scotland was crowned here. See also the adjacent cemetery, where one gravestone depicts an 1822 victim of body-snatching.
Small art gallery, local museum and cafe. Galleries One & Two have rotating exhibitions. "Stirling Story" in Gallery 3 sets out the history of the area and local industry. Displays the world's oldest football - did Mary Queen of Scots really play keepy-up with this?
Ruins of an Augustinian 12th century abbey, on a loop of land far side of the meandering River Forth. It's mostly just courses of masonry but the bell tower has been restored. You can see the graves of Queen Margaret of Denmark and her husband James III here.
Battle of Bannockburn Experience
England's King Edward II tried to install a puppet king on the throne of Scotland, and garrisoned Stirling Castle. In 1314 the Scots under Robert the Bruce besieged the castle then attacked the English forces to the south at Bannockburn. They won, a victory celebrated today in the song Flower o' Scotland. There's a monument and statue of Robert the Bruce that you can visit free anytime. But what the crowds come for is the Battle of Bannockburn Experience. After an introductory film you are led to a map room where knowledgeable staff explain the course of the battle, you are then led to a room where there is a 3D immersive experience with lots of CGI and an opportunity to examine the weapons used.. Admission is only by timed slot, with limited capacity so they often book out. After briefing and familiarisation, you spend about an hour in there. The centre will be closed for rebuilding Oct 2026 to end of 2028.
Not in Stirling itself but easily reachable, this 14th century tower was the medieval residence if the Erskine family.
Drive-through safari park, plus enclosures for chimps, sea lions, bugs, birds of prey, petting farm and so on. Plus lots of theme-park stuff like pedalos and zipwires that charge extra. No dogs. Booking essential, no tickets at the gate.
Children's farm: petting zoo, fruit-picking, go-karting, trampolines, a maize maze and other family activities.
formerly Poonthai
Highly commended Thai restaurant.
Great reviews for this Indian restaurant.
Gourmet sandwich lunch menu and cakes.
JD Wetherspoon pub with food all day
Excellent Austrian/Scottish fusion restaurant using local produce.
Opened in 1718, friendly (and dog-friendly) atmosphere, mostly student clientele, food served to 9PM. Live music most nights, pub quiz Sun evenings.
A Belhaven pub with decent ale and meals.
Friendly pub at the foot of the castle car park. Good whisky selection. Also offers good quality meals and accommodation.
Traditional pub close to the castle, dog-friendly, but they don't do food. Frequent live music. Board games available for customers to play.
Club with two floors, programme varies.
Built behind the façade of an old church and open all year, it offers 2 to 6-bedded rooms, self-catering kitchen, internet, friendly staff and TV room.
Reliable central chain hotel. They have another south at the M9 / M80 / A91 junction.
Welcoming hotel in Victorian schoolhouse in old centre.
Central boutique hotel.
Modern chain hotel with 80 a/c guest rooms, meeting facilities, bar, coffee lounge and free parking. 20 min walk from centre, but use the Park & Ride bus from the nearby Morrison's supermarket, M-Sa every 12 min. Dog-friendly.
Open all year, with 3 en suite bedrooms (sleep 2, 3 or 4). 50 yards off main road and quiet.
A Victorian shopping arcade, built in 1881, housing several boutique shops and cafés.
Outlet store for local artists, with distinctive hand-crafted gifts and souvenirs.
By train
Stirling has trains every 30 min from Glasgow Queen Street, Edinburgh and Haymarket, and Perth; and hourly from Aberdeen and Dundee. There are trains every 15 min from Dunblane and hourly from Alloa.
By bus
McGill's Bus X36 runs from Glasgow Buchanan station to Stirling M-Sa every 30 min and hourly Sunday, via Cumbernauld and Denny.
By road
Stirling is on the main A9/M9 route from the central belt of Scotland to the Highlands, some 28 miles (45 km) northeast of Glasgow via M80, and 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Edinburgh via M9.
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