Things to Do in Stirling For First-Time Visitors
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One of the most historically significant cities in Scotland, Stirling (Stur-ling) deserves at least a day on your itinerary! From castles to cemeteries, bridges to battlefields, you can just about squeeze the most popular activities into eight hours. However, if you have the chance to stay overnight, you can explore the following attractions more leisurely and possibly add a day trip too! Now, let’s discover the very best things to do in Stirling.
What to Do in Stirling During Your First Visit
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is at the top of the list, and here’s a surprising titbit: Many members of my Facebook group say they prefer visiting Stirling over Edinburgh Castle!
If Stirling Castle is on your bucket list, book a ticket in advance and time it so that you can join one of the free one-hour walking tours, as there are centuries of stories and secrets behind these walls.
Now let’s take a look at the castle logistics.
Before you walk through the entrance, there is a fee-paying car park (parking lot) that offers reduced fares for Historic Scotland members.
This car park is used by cars and coaches, so be careful walking across it.
The esplanade has views of the Wallace Monument and neighbouring Old Town Cemetry; you can see the striking Star Pyramid from the lower area.
As you head through the entrance, there are toilets to your left, the ticket office, to the right, and staff to help guide you to the next area.
Once you are through, you can easily spend 2-3 hours visiting the different sections that include:
- The Great Hall, which is the largest medieval banquet hall built in the country
- The Chapel Royal is my favourite room; the decor and light are stunning
- The Royal Palace, the childhood home to Mary Queen of Scots, features costumed actors
- Stirling Heads Gallery, the medieval selfie room with 16th-century oak medallions
- Queen Anne Gardens in bloom
There is also a cafe on-site, or you can dine at one of the other suggestions in this guide.
Read next: Do I Need a Historic Scotland Card?
Old Town Cemetery
You can see the city’s Old Town Cemetry from the castle car park, but it is worth dedicating some time to walk through Holy Rude Church’s stones, some of which have been standing since 1129!
The most notable landmarks in the graveyard include the Star Pyramid and The Martyrs Monument.
Lady’s Rock is where Bonnie Prince Charles directed the last siege of Stirling Castle in 1746!
A small hill with a bench offers sweeping views over the cemetery with the castle perched above it.
Mar’s Wark
Next to Holy Rude Church is the ruin of Mar’s Wark, which was built by the keeper of Stirling Castle, John Erskine, Regent of Scotland and Earl of Mar, in the 1560s or 1570s.
Influential figures such as King James VI stayed here, and it was also used as a barrack for soldiers during the 1715 Jacobite Rising.
Today, you need to use imagination to picture it in its Renaissance architectural glory.
The Portcullis
The Portcullis is a hotel and bar serving food close to the castle.
The building stands on the school’s ground that taught King James VI of Scotland!
On the menu, expect typical hearty pub grub such as burgers, mac and cheese, and scampi.
Book a table during high season, or check out the other cafe and restaurant recommendations below.
Stirling’s Oldest Pub
The Settle Inn has been pouring pints of ale since the 1700s; thankfully, the lines have changed a few times since then.
This local pub welcomes visitors and offers a live music schedule and a pub quiz.
Stirling Distillery
From something old to something relatively new, Stirling Distillery is a cosy wee attraction close to The Settle Inn and an excellent spot for those looking to try whisky or gin; the latter is mighty popular with locals in Scotland.
The family-run distillery is an award-winning attraction in Stirling.
You can pop into the ‘Old Smiddy’ building to pick up some bottled souvenirs, do the distillery tour, join a tasting session, or check out the gin-making class.
Stirling Old Town Jail
Get banged up behind the bars of a Victorian prison at the 1847 Stirling Old Town Jail.
This immersive experience regales the tales of crime and punishment in the city through its live performance tours.
The building was also used as the first, and only, Military Detention Barracks between 1888 and 1935!
If you’re looking for something to do in the rain, there are also escape rooms at the jail.
Top tip: There’s free parking for “new inmates”.
Food and Drink
Being a student town, it won’t come as a surprise that there are many cafes where you can grab a quick lunch.
I refuelled on a hearty wrap and iced coffee at Toasted, but there are many other options, such as the popular Darnley Coffee House or trendy Unorthodox Roasters.
Brea is an award-winning Scottish restaurant that serves local produce for lunch and dinner.
The menu includes haggis, salmon, and Cullen skink, and there is indoor and outdoor seating.
Old Stirling Bridge
Moving away from the city centre, Old Stirling Bridge crosses over the River Forth but that’s one of the least impressive things about this historic path.
This is the area where Sir William Wallace and Sir Andrew Moray took on and defeated Edward I’s army at the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge.
In later years, it also played a part in the Jacobite Rising of 1745, obstructing Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces who were trying to head south.
You can walk over the bridge, photograph the medieval masonry arches from the green space closest to the city centre, and look out for the next Stirling attraction on our itinerary, the National Wallace Monument.
National Wallace Monument
You’ll find the 67-metre-high tower of the National Wallace Monument on the outskirts of the city, perched on Abbey Craig
There is free parking at the foot of the hill then a path that winds up to the tower.
While the walk only takes around 15 minutes, it is quite steep but there is art and carvings to look at on the way if you need an excuse for a breather!
At the top, you’ll be rewarded with lovely city views, which are free to enjoy.
Visitors can also tour the monument that commemorates the Scottish hero, Sir William Wallace which features a 246-step spiral staircase, The Hall of Arms, The Hall of Heroes, and The Royal Chamber.
Battle of Bannockburn Experience
Less than 20 minutes drive outside of the city is the Battle of Bannockburn Experience, an immersive educational attraction that teaches visitors about the conflict that took place between 23–24 June 1314, headed by Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, and the army of King Edward II of England.
The tour starts with an introduction to the battle through video and moves on to the planning room where your guide discusses the game plan over a large map.
The tour ends with an audio-visual recreation of the battle displayed on big screens and a video summarising what happens next.
The Battle of Bannockburn Experience has a cafe, gift shop, and paths leading through the battlefield which take you to a statue of Robert the Bruce by Pilkington Jackson.
Note: You have to book a tour to avoid disappointment even off-season as the experience welcomes school groups during this time.
Day Trips From Stirling
Stirling is in a great central position to head into the Highlands through Callander, west to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs (link goes to my other site, Everything Edinburgh), or to Falkirk to see the Kelpies at The Helix.
A common next step on many Scotland Itineraries is Glencoe to see the Three Sisters with an overnight in Fort William.
Stirling is also an ideal day trip from Edinburgh as it can be reached by train.
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Final Words
I recently spent the day in Stirling and could easily have extended it to spend more time dining and exploring activities.
I managed to join the tour of Stirling Castle in the morning, walked around the town with a quick stop for lunch, then drove out to Old Stirling Bridge before joining a pre-booked tour at Bannockburn which was sold out.
As it was the tail-end of summer, I caught the last of the day at the Wallace Monument but didn’t have time to see its interior; a reason to return!
Any questions about Stirling or Scotland travel? Don’t hesitate to ask in the comments, via email, or in the Scotland Tips – Plan Your Trip Facebook group.
