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Photo: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
The Church of the Holy Rude is the medieval parish church of Stirling, Scotland. It is named after the Holy Rood, a relic of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified. The church was founded in 1129 during the reign of David I, but the earliest part of the present church dates from the 15th century. As such it is the second oldest building in Stirling after Stirling Castle, parts of which date from the later 14th century. The chancel and tower were added in the 16th century.
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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?
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.
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.
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.
Not in Stirling itself but easily reachable, this 14th century tower was the medieval residence if the Erskine family.