Stirling Guide, Scotland
Stirling, Dunblane & Falkirk
Stirling stands at a strategic point on the meandering River Forth where the Lowlands meet the Scottish Highlands.
In some respects this pleasant town of cobbled streets is like a smaller version of Edinburgh. Once a capital, Stirling has an impressive castle on a crag, a famous university and many historic buildings. The town spreads south and east from the castle on the plain west of the River Forth with the university located to the northeast.
With a population of around 36,000 and a pleasing mix of locals, students and tourists, the town is a fun place to stay for a few days or longer.
Attractions
Stirling Castle is the city's main attraction. It is one of the largest castles and palaces in Scotland. The castle and the surrounding area are important in the establishment and independence of the Scottish nation.
The castle was long associated with the Scottish royal family. Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned here in 1542 and James VI, later also James I of England, spent much time here.
Robert the Bruce's decisive victory over the English at Bannockburn in 1314 took place within sight of the castle. A statue to this great Scottish hero stands within the grounds.
Like Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle is perched on a hill formed from a dormant volcano, Castle Hill. There are great views from its ramparts over the surrounding countryside.
The present buildings of the castle and palace we see today date mostly from the 15th-16th centuries. In the 21st century restoration work has returned the castle and palace to much of its former glory. The Stirling Tapestries were recreated and replica Stirling Heads produced for the ceiling of the Royal Palace.
The Stirling Tapestries are based on the Hunt of the Unicorn series, 16th century originals produced in the Low Countries which are now on display in the Metropolitan Museum of New York. The seven hand-woven tapestries depict a richly-symbolic hunt of a unicorn and were recreated over a 13-year period. They now hang in the Queen's Inner Hall of the Royal Palace.
The Stirling Heads are a set of carved oak roundels that decorated a ceiling in the palace until its collapse in 1777. They depict various Scottish monarchs, nobles and figures from classical mythology and the Bible. 36 still survive and many are on display at the castle.
The grounds of the castle and the surrounding area are home to several other important attractions including the Regimental Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
The Regimental Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders tells the story of this famous regiment and the numerous conflicts it has fought in including the Boer War and World War I. Altogether, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders were based at the castle from 1881 to 1964.
The Robert Bruce Statue on the castle's esplanade is by Scottish sculptor Andrew Currie (1812-1891). It was erected in 1876.
Argyll's Lodging is a 17th-century townhouse below the castle and the former residence of the Earl of Stirling and subsequently the Earls of Argyll. The house is now a museum maintained by Scottish Heritage with opulent Renaissance style interiors and furnishings complete with fine paintings and tapestries.
The Old Town Jail was built in 1847 by prison reformers in the Victorian Period when the Tolbooth Jail became overcrowded. Once derelict it has been transformed into a fun visitors' center. Various self-guided audio tours direct you around the building and there is also a fun escape room experience. Enjoy the great views from the roof.
The original medieval prison, the Tolbooth on Jail Wynd, is now Stirling's premier arts and music center.
Smith Art Gallery & Museum
The Smith Art Gallery & Museum (aka The Smith Institute) on Dunbarton Road was founded back in 1874 with a bequest from local painter, philanthropist and collector Thomas Stuart Smith (1815-1869).
As well as several of the artist's paintings on display including the acclaimed The Pipe of Freedom, the museum hosts the "The Stirling Story" explaining the history of Stirling.
This presents both the history of the kings and queens who lived and died here and also the lives and experiences of Stirling's more common folk.
Altogether the museum has a collection of 40,000 artefacts, artworks, objects, sculptures and photographs from Scotland and overseas. There are three galleries with Gallery Three hosting the Stirling Story and the other two featuring temporary exhibitions. The pleasant garden contains both classical and contemporary statues and cairns.
Stirling Old Bridge
Stirling Old Bridge is the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 where William Wallace defeated the English. This wooden structure was replaced by the present stone bridge in the early 16th century. In 1745, one of the arches was destroyed by the English to hinder the advance of the Jacobite army. It was replaced in 1749. The bridge is closed to vehicles.
National Wallace Monument
The National Wallace Monument (Wallace Monument) on Abbey Craig is a Victorian structure dedicated to William Wallace. It was financed by public subscription and donations from overseas and was part of the rise of Scottish national identity in the 19th century. Inside are exhibits including a mighty sword believed to have been used by the great Scottish hero, the original "Braveheart". 246 steps lead to the top and superb views on a clear day. The iconic monument takes centre stage in Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations with a colorful midnight fireworks display.
Bannockburn
The Bannockburn Visitors Centre recreates the famous battle of 1314 using multimedia and more traditional exhibits. Another statue of Robert the Bruce, this time mounted by Pilkington Jackson (1887-1973) stands outside.
Stirling University
Stirling University was founded in 1967 and occupies the estate of the 18th and 19th-century Airthrey Castle. The castle is home to the Stirling University's international study centre and the beautiful grounds include a loch and parkland. Indeed the campus is often proclaimed as the most beautiful university campus in the world.
Presently there are around 14,000 part-time and full-time students enrolled at the university. Stirling has four faculties (Arts and Humanities, Health Sciences and Sport, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences), as well as the Stirling Management School and the Stirling Graduate School. In addition, the university has several specialist research centres including the Stirling Centre for Scottish Studies and Centre for Policy, Conflict and Co-operation.
The Stirling Court Hotel lies on campus.
Dunblane
A short distance north of Stirling, Dunblane is known for its cathedral, the Dunblane massacre of 16 local school children in 1996 and where one of Britain's greatest ever tennis players, Andy Murray, grew up. Murray and his older brother were both present at Dunblane Primary School when the shootings took place.
Dunblane Cathedral dates originally from the 11-13th centuries and was restored to its Gothic splendor at the end of the 19th century. Within the church is the Dunblane Commemoration standing stone by sculptor Richard Kindersley in memory of the 1996 massacre of innocents.
A pleasant town of less than 10,000 inhabitants, Dunblane can boast an excellent, luxury hotel housed in a huge 19th century mansion, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dunblane Hydro complete with a fine restaurant, extensive grounds, indoor pool, steam room, bubble pool and sauna.
Falkirk
Nearby Falkirk, 15 km southeast of Stirling, has history going back to the Antonine Wall and the Romans. However it was the building of the Forth and Clyde and Union canals linking Edinburgh and Glasgow that transformed the town. A series of 11 locks once linked the two but the coming of the railways meant they fell into disrepair and were built over. The huge Falkirk Wheel which opened in 2002 as part of the Millennium Link Project means that Scotland's capital and largest city are once again connected by canal.
The Kelpies are another superb piece of modern architecture. They are a pair of truly monumental-scale statues towering over the countryside near Falkirk that have been visited by millions since their opening to the public in 2014. Two gleaming horse heads, 100 ft (30 meters) tall are clad in stainless steel panels and sit astride a canal lock. The stainless steel panels are attached to structural steel frames and each statue weighs 300 tons. They were built in 2013 and designed by artist Andy Scott. The Kelpies sit astride a lock on a new extension of the Forth & Clyde Canal near where the canal connects with the River Carron. Part of a major development in the area named The Helix, that includes performance areas, sports parks, watersports, play areas, all connected by footpaths, cycleways, and of course the canals.
Set within the grounds of Callendar Park, Callendar House is a 14th century Scottish mansion redesigned in the French château style in the 19th century. Former guests include such giants of British history as Mary, Queen of Scots, Oliver Cromwell, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Queen Victoria. Nowadays the house is open to visitors to tour its rich Georgian style interiors and kitchen. The house also includes a history museum with exhibits on the Antonine Wall and various temporary exhibitions.
Falkirk Wheel
The Falkirk Wheel, partially financed with Millennium funds, is a remarkable piece of modern engineering that has restored the link between the two canals. A huge rotating boat lift in the shape of an ancient Gaelic double-headed axe can scoop up boats in its huge caissons and transport them utilizing huge gears and the Archimedes Principle the 115ft between the two waterways. At the site there is an interesting visitors' center explaining how it is all done plus 1-hour boat tours of the canals which include a ride on the wheel.
Access
Stirling is 62 km northeast of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh driving on the M9. From Glasgow it is 42 km driving on the M80.
Rail
Stirling Station has trains to Edinburgh Waverley Station in Edinburgh (40 minutes), Dunblane, Aberdeen, Inverness Station in Inverness and Dundee.
Trains from Queen Street Station in Glasgow to Stirling take around 40-50 minutes depending on the service.
There are also connections to King's Cross Station in London.
Bus
Stirling Bus Station is close to the railway station. There are bus departures for Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth.
It's worth renting a car if you are touring this part of Scotland along with the remote areas of the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Accommodation
Stirling is blessed with accommodation to suit all budgets from four-star hotels to backpacker lodgings and youth hostels.
At the top end, some recommendations include the four-star Stirling Highland Hotel, the three-star Golden Lion Hotel or the four-star Hotel Colessio housed in an original Victorian building.
More budget options include Stirling Youth Hostel or the Holiday Inn Express Stirling.
See a listing of hotels in Stirling
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Map
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