Destinations > Scotland > Central Scotland > Stirling

Stirling

Stirling is the district north of the area between Edinburgh and Glasgow and it includes the Trossachs region as well as the city of Stirling with its famous castle.

Stirling

The capital of the Stirling district has played an important role in Scottish history. In 1297 it was here that William Wallace defeated the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge and 17 years later Robert the Bruce regained Scotland's independence at Bannockburn, 3.25km southeast of the city centre.

The jewel in Stirling's crown is its castle, which many people regard as Scotland's best. Other attractions include the old town and the battlefield at Bannockburn.

Stirling is close enough to Edinburgh and Glasgow to visit as a daytrip, but many travellers choose to stay overnight.

Practical Information

Stirling Tourist Information Centre

41 Dunbarton Road, Stirling

Tel (01786) 475019

Website www.visitscottishheartlands.com

Open Jan-May Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; Jun Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-7.30pm, Sun 9.30am-6.30pm; Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-5pm

Coming & Going

Stirling's close proximity to Edinburgh and Glasgow makes it an easy place to get to. There are several trains each hour to both Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as regular trains to Aberdeen, Inverness and London.

Scottish Citylink (tel (0870) 505 050; website www.citylink.co.uk) run hourly coaches to Edinburgh and Inverness and several coaches each hour to Glasgow.

Both the train and coach stations are on Goosecroft Road.

Local Transport

Although the city centre is compact enough to walk around, buses are a handy way to get to the Wallace Monument and the Bannockburn Heritage Centre.

Accommodation

Stirling SYHA

St John Street, Stirling FK8 1EA
Tel 0870 004 1149

Willy Wallace Backpackers

77 Murray Place, Stirling FK8 1AU
Tel (01786) 446 773

Sights

Bannockburn

In 1314 Robert the Bruce overpowered the English at Bannockburn, giving Scotland independent rule. The battlefield, which is around 2.5km south of the city centre, is the site of the Bannockburn Heritage Centre where an audiovisual display relives the historic battle.

Glasgow Road, Whins of Milton, Stirling

Bus 51, 52

Tel (01259) 211701

Website www.nts.org.uk

Admission £3.50 (£2.60 HI/SYHA)

Open 20 Jan-24 Mar 10.30am-4pm daily; 25 Mar-27 Oct 10am-6pm daily; 28 Oct-24 Dec 10.30am-4pm daily

Church of the Holy Rude

In 1567 this old church was the site of the coronation of James VI (son of Mary Queen of Scots) and it has also held witness to John Knox during the Reformation. The church features a medieval timber roof and it often hosts organ recitals.

Corner Castle Wynd & St John Street, Stirling

Tel (01786) 475275

Open May-Sep 10am-5pm daily

Cowane's Hospital

John Cowane, a successful 17th century merchant, financed this almshouse that was built for members of a merchant guild. Nowadays it is used for concerts and ceilidhs.

49 St John Street, Stirling

Tel (01786) 472247

Admission free

Open Jan-Mar 10am-4pm daily; Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Sep-Dec 10am-4pm daily

Old Town Jail

This prison has displays and re-enactments showing the life of a former inmate.

St John Street, Stirling

Tel (01786) 471301

Admission £3.95

Open Feb 9.30am-3.30pm daily; Mar 9.30am-4.30pm daily; Apr-Sep 9.30am-5pm daily; Oct 9.30am-4.30pm daily; Nov 9.30am-3.30pm daily

Stirling Castle

The castle dominates the city and offers spectacular views of Stirling and the Forth Valley. Many people regard it as the grandest of Scotland's castles and it is the highlight of a visit to Stirling. The castle dates from the 14th century and there are frequent guided tours (included in admission price) that give visitors an in depth history of the castle.

Castle Wynd, Stirling

Tel (01786) 450 000

Website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Admission £8

Open Jan-Mar 9.30am-5pm daily (last entry 4.15pm); Apr-Oct 9.30am-6pm daily (last entry 5.15pm); Nov-Dec 9.30am-5pm daily (last entry 4.15pm)

Stirling Visitors' Centre

The Visitors' Centre features an audiovisual presentation that provides a good introduction to the city.

Castle Esplanade, Stirling

Tel (01786) 479901

Admission free

Open Jan-Mar 9.30am-5pm daily; Apr-Oct 9.30am-6pm daily; Nov-Dec 9.30am-5pm

Wallace Monument

This monument, 3km north of the city centre, has exhibits about the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the life and achievements of William Wallace, the champion of Scottish freedom that was the inspiration for the film Braveheart. The monument also has a 67m tower that offers great views of the city.

Abbey Craig, Stirling

Bus 62, 63

Tel (01786) 461322

Admission £3.95, students £3

Open Jan-Feb 10.30am-4pm daily; Mar-May 10am-5pm daily; Jun 9.30am-5pm daily; Jul-Aug 9.30am-6.30pm; Sep 9.30am-5pm; Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 10.30am-4pm daily

The Trossachs

This region in western Stirling is part of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park (website www.lochlomond-trossachs.org), which is Scotland's first national park. The region was the home of Rob Roy Macgregor and its popularity with tourists surged when the film Rob Roy, starring Liam Neeson, was released. The main towns in the region are Aberfoyle and Callander.

Practical Information

Callander Tourist Information Centre

The tourist information centre in Callander also houses the Rob Roy & Trossachs Visitor Centre; see the listing under Sights for more information.

Ancaster Square, Callander

Tel (01877) 330342

Open Jan-Feb Sat-Sun 11am-4.30pm; Mar-May 10am-5pm daily; Jun 9.30am-6pm daily; Jul-Aug 9.30am-8pm daily; Sep 10am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-5pm daily

Coming & Going

First (tel (08708) 727 271; website www.firstgroup.com) run regular buses between Callander and Stirling, and less frequently, to Aberfoyle. Ask the bus driver for the Stirling and Trossachs Day Rover pass, which gives you unlimited transport on First bus services between Stirling and Callander.

The Trossachs Trundler (tel (01786) 442 707) provides a convenient alternative by running a shuttle service between Stirling, Callander, Aberfoyle and Port of Menteith. The Trundler bus costs £8 from Stirling or £5.50 for transport within the Trossachs area.

The above transport services are supplemented by post bus (tel 08457 740 740; website www.postbus.co.uk) services.

Accommodation

Trossachs Tryst (Trossachs Backpackers)

Invertrossachs Road, Callander FK17 8HW
Tel (01877) 331200

Sights

Rob Roy & Trossachs Visitor Centre

This museum and visitors' centre features displays and an audiovisual presentation about Rob Roy.

Ancaster Square, Callander

Tel (01877) 330 342

Admission £2.90

Open Jan-Feb Sat-Sun 11am-4.30pm; Mar-May 10am-5pm daily; Jun 9.30am-6pm daily; Jul-Aug 9am-10pm daily; Sep 10am-6pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-5pm daily