The cobbled streets of Stirling’s beautifully preserved Old Town wind past historic buildings to the ramparts of the magnificent castle that has been the object of desire for the many vying for the throne of Scotland. There are lots of things to do in Stirling on a day trip!
Stirling | Scotland
Located on the banks of the River Forth, Stirling is essentially the crossing point between the Highlands and Lowlands and thus controls access between the two regions that Scotland is roughly divided into and it was to hold this strategic position, the bridge across the Forth and the castle with its 360° views across the surrounding, six major battles, including the bloody Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, were fought in Stirling. It was said that “to take Stirling is to take Scotland.”
Today Stirling is a big town, bustling with students (thanks to the University of Stirling just outside town) and tourists who come to visit the most important castle in the history of Scotland. It is small enough to be explored in a day but packs a punch in terms of history and architecture. Along with North Berwick and the fishing villages of the East Neuk such as St. Monans and Crail, Stirling is one of our favourite day trip destinations from Edinburgh. Stirling is an easy day trip from Edinburgh and Glasgow thanks to excellent public transport. Find out about the top things to do in Stirling in this post.
Things to do in Stirling
- How to Reach Stirling
- Things to Do in Stirling
- Visit Stirling Castle
- Visit the Church of the Holy Rude
- Explore the Old Town of Stirling
- Climb Govan Hill
- Visit Cowane’s Hospital
- Cross the Old Stirling Bridge
- Admire the Carved Zodiac Signs
- Visit the Smith Art Gallery & Museum
- Visit the National Wallace Monument
- Walk to the Viewpoints
- Walk to Cambuskenneth Abbey
- Where to Eat & Drink in Stirling
- Where to Shop in Stirling
- Where to Stay in Stirling
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How to Reach Stirling
Not only is Stirling close to both Glasgow and Edinburgh but it is also well-connected by public transport and therefore makes for a great car-free day trip.
BY TRAIN // We travelled by ScotRail on the Edinburgh Waverly to Dunblane train and got off at Stirling. The 50-minute ride cost us £15.40 each on a Sunday (2024). Direct trains from Glasgow, Perth, Aberdeen, and Inverness are also available.
How to book cheap train tickets in the UK? We book cheap tickets through Trainline whose SplitSave feature finds clever combinations of tickets thus saving us hundreds of pounds a year. We also book in advance so that we can get the lowest prices. Book your train ticket to Stirling now!
UK RAIL CARDS: A railcard is a must if you travel by train in the United Kingdom! There are a variety of different cards to suit your requirements. A railcard can slash your ticket prices by 30% and if you are booking in advance, you can bag really cheap fares. So if you want to save money on trips, buy a railcard!
BY BUS // CityLink bus 909 connects Edinburgh to Stirling. Megabus coaches are available from all major cities in Scotland. Stagecoach (South Perthshire and Kinross zone) serves Stirling.
Things to Do in Stirling
We visited Stirling on a day trip from Edinburgh. Here is a list of our top things to do in Stirling.
Visit Stirling Castle
Like Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle sits atop an extinct volcano like a matriarch overseeing the town below. The castle dates back to the 14th-16th century when it was the residence of the Stuarts. Visit the Royal Palace (constructed by James V for his French bride), the Stirling Tapestries (handmade replicas of 16th-century tapestries depicting a unicorn hunt), the Stirling Heads Gallery, the Great Hall, the Royal Chapel, and the Great Kitchens. Entry is free for Historic Scotland members.
TIP: If you are visiting on the weekend, plan your castle tour later in the afternoon when the crowds thin, and you can explore at your own pace.
Visit the Church of the Holy Rude
The parish church for 600 years was where the infant King James VI was crowned in 1567. It is named after the Holy Rood, a relic of the True Cross on which Jesus was crucified. Highlights include stunning stained glass windows, massive stone pillars, and the original oak-beamed roof held together entirely by oak pegs. The church graveyard has stones dating back to the 16th century. Check out the Star Pyramid.
Explore the Old Town of Stirling
We have visited a handful of historic British cities and every city is so different from the other. For example, exploring York’s medieval old town is such a different experience from exploring Stirling’s old town. Exploring Stirling’s beautifully preserved Old Town is one of our favourite things to do in Stirling. The cobbled streets that slope steeply from the castle ramparts are lined with ancient buildings, some dating back to the 15th-17th century. Stop by Mar’s Wark, a now-ruined Renaissance townhouse that was once home to John Erskine, the Earl of Mar, the Mercat Cross, the Tollbooth, and Argyll’s Lodging. The Back Walk follows the old city walls and is a fantastic route to explore the Old Town.
Climb Govan Hill
On a clear day, Govan Hill offers brilliant views of the Wallace Monument and the city of Stirling. When we visited, the gorse was just blooming and daffodils lined the way. There wasn’t a soul around. Just birds and squirrels.
Visit Cowane’s Hospital
Cowane’s Hospital is a 17th-century Almshouse in Stirling. It was established in 1637 by the estate of merchant John Cowane (also referred to as Auld Staney Breeks) and is considered by Historic Scotland to be “a rare survival of 17th-century burgh architecture and one of the finest buildings of its kind in Scotland”. The Guild Hall is located inside the building. Entry is free and you can admire the historic architecture, the wood panelling, and the stained glass panels.
Cross the Old Stirling Bridge
One of the finest examples of medieval masonry arch bridges in Scotland, the present bridge was built sometime in the 1400s or 1500s replacing a succession of timber bridges. It has since been witness to many bloody battles, including the Jacobite Rising of 1745, when an arch was blown up to forestall Bonnie Prince Charlie’s forces as they marched south. To learn more about the history of this bridge, including Matthew Paris’s 1247 map that marks the “Pons Estruelin” on the river, see Stirling Old Bridge.
Admire the Carved Zodiac Signs
We stumbled upon the intricately carved doorway of the erstwhile Stirling High School by chance. The Gothic revival style building was built in 1854-6 as a school and converted into a hotel in 1990. It was designed by the Hays of Liverpool and a conservatory was added as an extension to the school in 1888. The entrance with its twelve zodiac carvings was designed in keeping with the theme. The telescope in the observatory was recently refurbished and is now in use!
Visit the Smith Art Gallery & Museum
In Edinburgh where visiting museums tops the list of free things to do in Edinburgh. It is no different in Stirling. Entry is free to the Smith Art Gallery & Museum which houses an impressive collection of objects and art pieces that celebrate the history, heritage, and culture of Stirling. You can see the prehistoric whale bones and Roman pottery that were excavated in digs around Stirling.
Visit the National Wallace Monument
The National Wallace Monument stands above the fields where William Wallace, Scotland’s National hero, led his troops to victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge. For a fee, you can explore the four upper levels within the monument (each accessed by a 246-step spiral staircase), the exhibition galleries, and The Crown, from where you can enjoy panoramic 360° views. Spend some time exploring Abbey Craig; the viewpoint offers gorgeous views of Stirling Castle. From Stirling, either take the bus or walk (2 miles from the railway station) to the monument.
Walk to the Viewpoints
Several viewpoints command gorgeous views of Stirling City and the Wallace Monument. St. Mary’s Church, Castlehill, Govan Hill, Lover’s Walk, and Stirling Railway Bridge all promise beautiful views of the surroundings. The rolling hills and verdant fields remind me of the countryside around Bridge of Earn in Perthshire.
Walk to Cambuskenneth Abbey
The Cambuskenneth Abbey is not on everyone’s list of things to do in Stirling but a leisurely 1-mile walk from the railway station will bring you to Cambuskenneth Abbey, an old Augustinian monastery that was abandoned during the Scottish reformation. According to Visit Scotland, “It was in Cambuskenneth that the nobility and clergy of Scotland swore fealty to David Bruce as the heir of King Robert in 1326 at the first parliament to include representatives of the burghs.” Only the Campanile and west doorway of the 12th-century structure survive today. As of April 2022, it is temporarily closed to visitors but the grounds are open.
Top Stirling Tours
Where to Eat & Drink in Stirling
You have many options to eat and drink in Stirling. The main square is lined with bars and eateries. Here are our recommendations:
Nicky-Tam’s Bar & Bothy / Stirling’s second oldest pub is housed in a building that was originally a bank, The Caledonia Vaults, and counts among the city’s most haunted. It serves traditional Scottish fare and a selection of pub grub and has a good range of drinks on tap. We had the soup of the day and a plate of haggis, neeps, and tatties.
Settler Inn / Stirling’s oldest pub is the perfect place to down a tipple and perhaps, spot a ghost. According to Stirling Ghost Walk, “Ghost hunters have reported spectral Jacobites, injured during Bonnie Prince Charlie’s siege of Stirling Castle, in January 1746, and the spirits of children in the upstairs apartments of the Settle Inn.” Log fires, low ceilings, and a vaulted backroom add to the atmosphere.
Brae / Highly recommended by books and blogs is Brae, a bistro with a curated menu featuring locally sourced Scottish produce, including venison and seafood.
Nooch / If you are looking for a vegan restaurant in Stirling, look no further than Nooch! Nooch serves delicious vegan food such as jackfruit tacos, corn fritters, mushroom burgers, and more.
Where to Shop in Stirling
Stirling has a wealth of independent shops and boutiques where you can buy vintage clothes and jewellery, antiques, artwork, books, gifts, and gourmet food and drinks. See Go Forth Stirling for a list of places.
Made in Stirling / Made in Stirling is a show-and-sell concept store where you can buy art and craftwork made by local artists. They also run workshops.
Stirling Bagpipes / Besides making and selling bagpipes, they also have a collection of antique bagpipes and piping paraphernalia.
Where to Stay in Stirling
There are many options if you want to stay in Stirling. If you prefer hostels, the Willy Wallace Hostel is one of the most popular options. Hotel Colessio, Stirling Highland Hotel, and Allan Park Hotel are midrange options.
Looking for fairytale cottages, historic houses, and cute cottages to stay? Check out the best on VRBO!
What are your favourite things to do in Stirling? Share your experience with us!
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