Stirling Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
The Gateway to the Highlands is one of Scotland’s most historic cities, home to medieval landmarks, a picturesque old town and glorious parks.

A city of history and culture, Stirling is the Brave Heart of Scotland. It straddles central Scotland’s Forth River and is a gateway to the magnificent Scottish Highlands.

Get an overview of the city at Stirling Castle. Perched on a hill, it affords uninterrupted views of the city and surrounding countryside. Explore halls and gardens for a glimpse into the lifestyle of former royal residents such as Mary Queen of Scots. Join locals as they welcome in the New Year at the castle during Hogmanay Celebrations, which feature fireworks and live entertainment.

Below the castle, the Old Town is a quaint district of cobblestone streets lined with landmarks. Stroll around the Back Walk to discover several interesting attractions. Go to Argyll’s Lodging to experience the life of 1600s Scottish nobility.Opposite the historic Church of the Holy Rude, join costumed local guides on a Stirling Walking Tour of the Old Town. Enjoy comedy and drama on these entertaining journeys, which cost a small fee.

Take the family to some of Stirling’s public parks. Visit the royal gardens of King’s Knot, famous for its ornamental hedges. Nearby King’s Park has a golf course, children’s play areas and a skate park. Admission is free at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museumwhere Allie's Garden has been designed with children in mind. Inside the museum, view interesting artifacts including the world’s oldest football.

Use Stirling’s public buses to reach attractions outside the city centre. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of medieval combat at the Battle of Bannockburn Experience. This attraction uses 3-D technology to put you in the centre of the battle in which Robert the Bruce was victorious over the English. At the National Wallace Monument, a memorial to the Scottish hero, William Wallace, climb 246 to the top and enjoy views over Stirling.

Conveniently set in the heart of Scotland, Stirling is less than 40 miles (64 kilometres) from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The city is a great base for arranging excursions into the Scottish Highlands and other attractions. Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are both reachable via daytrips.

The Stirling Highland Hotel
The Stirling Highland Hotel
4 out of 5
29 Spittal Street, Stirling, Scotland
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £48 per night from 13 Jan to 14 Jan
£48
includes taxes & fees
13 Jan - 14 Jan
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Stirling. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
Fantastic place to stay, just needs improvement!
"We stayed during the bisy festive season and departed Xmas day. Brilliant place, great history to the site and building itself, lovely placement in relation to the castle, old jail, back walk and town. Warm and friendly staff. Room perfectly welcoming with a small second room next to it for children. ..."

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2024

The Stirling Highland Hotel
Highland Gate, Stirling by Marston's Inns
Highland Gate, Stirling by Marston's Inns
4 out of 5
Drip Road, Stirling, Scotland
The price is £46 per night from 24 Jan to 25 Jan
£46
includes taxes & fees
24 Jan - 25 Jan
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly inn in Stirling. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (742 reviews)
Stop off
"Good stop off place on way south"

Reviewed on 29 Dec 2024

Highland Gate, Stirling by Marston's Inns
Stirling Court Hotel
Stirling Court Hotel
3 out of 5
University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
The price is £59 per night from 2 Jan to 3 Jan
£59
includes taxes & fees
2 Jan - 3 Jan
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Stirling. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very good! (996 reviews)
Receipt not clear about breakfasts
"As stepping in at short notice as a speaker at a conference I thought I’d booked breakfast for both mornings of my stay. Apparently not, so had to pay for another"

Reviewed on 6 Dec 2024

Stirling Court Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Unique 6 Bedroom Lodge, Views Of Loch / Sir Walter Scott Steamboat, Pier Cafe
Unique 6 Bedroom Lodge, Views Of Loch / Sir Walter Scott Steamboat, Pier Cafe
Stronachlachar, Stirlingshire
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Stirling. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and a pool table. Popular attractions Loch Katrine and Loch Lomond and The ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (77 reviews)
Stunning
"We booked a 4 night stay for 12 people , the house was stunning , exceptionally clean, very spacious . Ideal location for walking , paddle boarding and relaxing . The Christmas decorations, log fires and the lovely touches throughout made our stay more perfect . We have rebooked for next year ."

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2024

Unique 6 Bedroom Lodge, Views Of Loch / Sir Walter Scott Steamboat, Pier Cafe
The Steading Farm Cottage In The Trossachs With Pool And Hot Tub
The Steading Farm Cottage In The Trossachs With Pool And Hot Tub
Stirling, Stirlingshire
Stay at this cottage in Stirling. Enjoy a garden, cable/satellite TV service and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe and Rob Roy's ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (73 reviews)
Beautiful cottage
"I booked a hot tub weekend away for my husband and I to the Steadings and what a beautifully clean and comfortable cottage it was. The owners met us as we drove to the cottage to show us around. They had also left us a welcome pack which included a bottle of Prosecco, that was a lovely extra. We ..."

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2024

The Steading Farm Cottage In The Trossachs With Pool And Hot Tub
Lochside House, Loch Katrine, in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Lochside House, Loch Katrine, in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Stronachlachar, Stirling, Scotland
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Stirling. Enjoy patios and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (36 reviews)
Idyllic
"Amazing house: comfy beds, gorgeous views, massive lounge, well-equpped kitchen, easy check in ... can't fault it. (Its remote location is a plus, in my view, but be prepared for a 30 min bumpy drive from Aberfoyle)."

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2024

Lochside House, Loch Katrine, in Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Stirling

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
66
" "5 - Excellent 46%
4 - Good
57
" "4 - Good 40%
3 - Okay
16
" "3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 2%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice and compact city - everywhere is walkable. Lots of good independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Some visitor attractions closed for the winter but the castle, Wallace Monument, Dunblane Cathedral all worth a visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I havent been to stirling for years but the buildings are still very impressive.

5/5 - Excellent

Bob

Stirling has a good bingo hall besides all the historic sights

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Stirling is an absolutely beautiful area with a mix of town and country

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The castle is great, the William Wallace monument is gorgeous and the Battle Of bannockburn centre is incredible, DO NOT MISS IT OUT of your trip, I’ve never enjoyed a historical place as much as there.

5/5 - Excellent

N

Stirling is a beautiful place with very friendly people. I highly recommend it.

Cities near Stirling