Things to Do in Stirling Scotland

In this guide we’ll detail some of the best things to do in Stirling Scotland, including many historical sites and beautiful viewpoints.

The city of Stirling is located only a short drive northwest of Edinburgh, or to the northeast of Glasgow. This makes it an ideal day trip destination from both cities, or a nice stop-over if you’re heading to the Highlands to drive along the NC500.

Introducing Stirling in Scotland

Stirling is located in central Scotland just 26 miles northeast of Glasgow and 37 miles northwest of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Guardian of the Highlands’ thanks to its location on the crossing point of the River Forth.

The city has a long history, proof of which can be found in the stone cist and skeleton that were found in 1879. They apparently date back to at least 2000 BC. As you can imagine, a lot of important battles took place in the city during the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the Jacobite Uprising. Some of these battles include the Battle of Stirling Bridge, the Battle of Bannockburn and the Battle of Stirling.

In 2002, Stirling was granted city status as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. This essentially makes Stirling the youngest city in Scotland.

Things to Do in Stirling in Scotland

1. Visit Stirling Castle

Without doubt, the No.1 thing to do in Stirling is to visit the castle. This impressive stone fortress sits on top of a rocky outcrop surrounded by cliffs on three sides. It has witnessed a lot of historical events over the centuries including battles, sieges, and the coronations and deaths of kings.

During your visit you should check out the Great Hall, which is apparently the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in the country. You can also see the Regimental Museum, Chapel Royal, and other interesting exhibition rooms, where you can learn more about the castle’s history.

Top Tip. To really appreciate the scale of the castle, make sure to walk out to the King’s Knot and Queens Knot. You’ll be able to see these interesting formal gardens, now popular with local dog walkers, from the castle.

2. Walk Around Stirling Old Town

A visit to Stirling wouldn’t be complete without taking a stroll around the city’s old town. There are plenty of shops, pubs and cafes dotted around this part of the city. Of course, there are also plenty of attractions you can visit, which we’ll list below.

• Stirling Old Town Jail is located only a short walk from the castle. It was built in 1847 and was used as a military prison until 1935. You’ll have a pretty unforgettable visit thanks to the live performance tour and the observation tower that offers a lovely view of Stirling.
• Church of the Holy Rude is the second oldest building in Stirling after the castle, located next to the Old Town Cemetery.
• Mar’s Wark are the ruins of a Renaissance townhouse that used to be the main residence of the Erskine family, who were the hereditary keepers of Stirling Castle.
• The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum is home to over 40,000 objects and art pieces, so it’s definitely worth stopping by as you wonder the streets of Stirling.

3. Visit Stirling’s Old Town Cemetery

We wouldn’t normally recommend visiting cemeteries unless they’re incredibly colourful, like the cemeteries in Guatemala, or have many important historical features like the one in Stirling. The city’s Old Town Cemetery is located between the castle and the Church of the Holy Rude, and has a few landmarks that are worth checking out.

One of them is the Star Pyramid. This huge sandstone ashlar pyramid was built in 1863 and is dedicated to those who gave their lives for Scottish civil and religious liberty.

Another landmark is the Martyrs’ Memorial which was erected in 1859 to commemorate two sisters. Margaret and Agnes were followers of the Covenanters, a Presbyterian group. They were found guilty for refusing to pledge allegiance to King James VII and were sentenced to death by drowning. Agnes was freed on bail but Margaret unfortunately died.

We also saw some reformer statues around the cemetery carved by Alexander Handyside Ritchie, a Scottish sculptor.

4. Enjoy the Views from the National Wallace Monument

One of the most iconic landmarks in Stirling is the National Wallace Monument. This impressive stone tower stands on top of Abbey Craig hill overlooking the city. It is where, in 1297, William Wallace led his troops to victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge. During your visit you can learn more about Scotland’s National Hero.

From the top we were treated to panoramic views across Stirling and the surrounding area. It’s definitely a place you don’t want to miss visiting when you’re in Stirling.

Top Tip. Don’t forget to go for a little wander along the nearby trails to find a few more viewpoints looking out across the River Forth and the surrounding area.

5. Walk Across the Old Stirling Bridge

Today, crossing the photogenic Old Stirling Bridge probably won’t feel like an important act. However, up until the 1800’s this bridge was the main crossing point along the River Forth. The bridge you’ll walk across today was built in the 1500’s, replacing the old wooden bridges.

One of these wooden bridges was the one on which the Battle of Stirling Bridge was fought in 1297. Here the Scottish army, led by Sir William Wallace and Sir Andrew Moray, defeated the English forces.

Today, the bridge is one of the best preserved medieval stone arched bridges in Scotland. You also get a great view of the National Wallace Monument from it.

6. Climb up to the Beheading Stone on Mote Hill

If you want to go on a short walk to enjoy some city views, then we recommend a climb up to Mote Hill. It shouldn’t take too long to reach the top by following the Back Walk footpath. At the top, you’ll find the Beheading Stone and a few canons. Now, the name probably already suggests that this stone in a cage has a dark past.

According to legend, in the 15th-century this stone was used for the beheadings of those who had been found guilty of committing treason.

The views from the top weren’t the best we’d ever seen and, luckily, we went up to Mote Hill before visiting the National Wallace Monument, from where the vistas were much better. However, we still enjoyed the views we got of Stirling, the Old Stirling Bridge and the National Wallace Monument in the distance. So, if you have time to spare, we recommend going on this quick stroll.

7. The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre

Another great thing to do just outside of Stirling is to visit the Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre. We stopped by the visitor centre en-route to Stirling. The visitor centre was completed in 2014 for the 700th anniversary of the battle. It tells the story of King Robert the Bruce’s victory against the English army.

You can just wander around the visitor centre like we did, or sign up for the full experience for an even more memorable visit. The exhibition uses 3D displays that bring the battle to life.

How to Get to Stirling in Scotland

By Car. If you’re planning a road-trip around Scotland, or driving along the NC500, then reaching Stirling by car will be easy. Depending on where you’re coming from, you can get to the city via the the M9 from Edinburgh, the M80 from Glasgow, or the A9 from Perth and Inverness.

If you don’t have your own vehicle, then you can always hire a car from either Edinburgh or Glasgow airports. Hire your car using Discover Cars.

By Train. You can also reach Stirling by train. The station is only a short walk from the Old Town. There are regular trains to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness, with a few direct trains to places like London in the UK. Book your train ticket using Trainline.

By Coach. For a more affordable way to get to Stirling, consider travelling by coach. There are many companies operating services across the UK, such as Megabus and Flixbus. You can compare different operators using Omio, Flixbus or Busbud.

By Air. If you’re coming from further afield, you might be flying to Scotland first. The closest airports to Stirling are either Edinburgh or Glasgow. From the airport, you can either hire a car or use public transport to get to Stirling.

Where to Stay in Stirling in Scotland

There are plenty of hotels and B&Bs around Stirling, catering for different needs and budgets. If you’re only spending a night in the city, then we recommend booking something close to the centre, where all the main attractions are. We always love having a good breakfast before heading out for the day, so we suggest booking a place that includes breakfast too.

Final Thoughts on Things to Do in Stirling in Scotland

Stirling was only a quick stop for us, to break up our long drive from the Peak District to the Scottish Highlands. We’re so glad that we decided to stay a night in the city and see some of its highlights before driving further north. Stirling is packed with historical sites and we easily could have spent a long weekend there.

Have you ever been to Stirling in Scotland before? If so, what was your favourite thing to do in the city? If not, would you add a visit to Stirling to your Scotland itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.