Stirling
Stirling is a city in the central lowlands of Scotland, and historically the county town of Stirlingshire. For centuries this was the main route between the Highlands and the Lowlands, guarded by the castle on its battleship of a crag, and with the River Forth sweeping round as a moat. The Scots won two famous victories against the English on the nearby fields, at Stirling Bridge and at Bannockburn. Medieval Scottish rulers made it their residence and capital.
- For the village in southeast Ontario see Belleville (Ontario)#Stirling
Stirling had a population of 37,730 in 2024. The city limits include Bridge of Allan, the village north of the river which is now the campus for Stirling University, and Dunblane further north; these are described on their own pages.
Understand
The River Forth meanders east out of the Trossachs across a broad plain, and swells when it's joined by the River Teith - this made Stirling the lowest point that early architects could span with a bridge. A few miles downstream the river becomes tidal, and you had to cross by ferry until modern times. So if you controlled the bridge at Stirling, you controlled the all-weather route between Edinburgh and the Highlands. Better still, you got to levy tolls and taxes on everyone who needed to pass.
The city was inevitably bashed about in several conflicts, the last at the hands of the Jacobites, who in 1746 failed to capture the castle and blew up their own ammo depot in pique. Stirling has since then been a quiet market town, making its living from agriculture. Before the railways, huge cattle drives would plod over the bridge and through town towards southern markets, even as far as London Smithfield. When 19th and 20th century heavy industry developed, this was to the south around Falkirk and downstream in Grangemouth, Fife and the Lothians; Stirling was relatively untouched and preserved its old centre. There's nowadays a ring of light industry and suburbs, but the big boost was the 1967 establishment of the University of Stirling. This has some 8500 undergraduates and 4000 postgraduates.
Visitor information
- 🌍 VisitScotland Stirling iCentre is the tourist office, in the Old Town Jail on St John St near the castle. It's open daily 10AM-5PM.
- Stirling Council — city council website
Get in
By plane
Edinburgh Airport (EDI IATA) is the nearest, and has a good range of flights domestically, within Europe and beyond. It's 29 miles (47 km) southeast of Stirling, a 30-min drive along the M9 motorway. Or take the bus or tram from the airport to Haymarket or Edinburgh Park for frequent trains to Stirling.
Glasgow Airport (GLA IATA) likewise has good domestic and European flights but fewer long-haul. It's also the wrong side of the city for Stirling. By road, follow M8 east then M74 to avoid city centre traffic, then head north on M73 to M80. Or take the airport bus into Glasgow then the train.
By train
- Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain
Stirling has trains every 30 min from Glasgow Queen Street, Edinburgh and Haymarket, and Perth; and hourly from Aberdeen and Dundee. There are trains every 15 min from Dunblane and hourly from Alloa. From Inverness there's an hourly service, alternately direct or changing at Perth.
From Manchester or Birmingham change in Glasgow. From London, York and Newcastle you usually change in Edinburgh, but there are two direct daytime trains from London King's Cross taking 5 hr 30 min.
Two Caledonian Sleeper trains run overnight Su-F from London Euston. The Highland Sleeper, departing around 9PM, calls at Stirling before 5AM on its way to Inverness; the southbound train picks up shortly after midnight to reach Euston by 8AM. You might prefer to take the Lowland Sleeper north near midnight, changing in Glasgow around 7AM for a morning train to Stirling; the southbound train leaves Glasgow Central at 11:30PM to reach Euston by 7AM.
Grand Union is a new railway company that plans to run four trains a day from Stirling to London Euston, via Motherwell, Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes. They aim to start in July 2025.
🌍 Stirling station is central in town, with a staffed ticket desk and machines. There's a waiting room and toilets plus a few convenience shops, but more in the shopping centre just south. There is step-free access to all platforms.
By bus
McGill's Bus X36 runs from Glasgow Buchanan station to Stirling M-Sa every 30 min and hourly Sunday, via Cumbernauld and Denny. Buses from Glasgow to Aberdeen and Inverness rush past on the M9 and don't call at Stirling.
Citylink Bus 909 runs from Edinburgh St Andrew Square hourly via the airport, Bo'ness, Grangemouth and Falkirk to Stirling (90 min), with two buses a day extending to the University campus.
Bus 978 also runs daily from Edinburgh and continues from Stirling to Doune, Callander, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Dalmally, Taynuilt and Oban.
National Express and Megabus no longer call at Stirling.
Stirling bus station is 100 yards south of the railway station, adjoining Thistles shopping centre.
Get around
The town and castle are best explored on foot.
Uni-link Bus UL runs every 30 min from Stirling bus station to the University of Stirling campus. McGill's Bus 54 also runs there every 30 min via Bridge of Allan village.
McGill's Bus 38 runs every 20 min from Falkirk via Larbert and Bannockburn. Bus 51 runs every 30 min from Alloa. Bus 59 runs hourly from Callander via Doune and Blair Drummond Safari Park.
Taxi operators are Alba Cabs (+44 1786 595025), Goosecroft (+44 1786 472220) and Stirling Taxi (+44 1786 343434).
Nextbike offer app-based bike hire in Stirling. Bikes cost £1 for 30 minutes, or £10 for the day. Bikes are hired and returned to stations around Stirling, from Bannockburn to Bridge of Allan.
See
- 🌍 Stirling Castle, Castle Esplanade FK8 1EJ, ☏ +44 1786 450000. Daily Apr-Sep 9:30-6PM, Oct-Mar 9:30AM-5PM. Pocket-sized edition of Edinburgh Castle, similarly poised on a crag with steep cliffs on three sides and tail of glacial rubble. It dates back at least to the 12th century, but most of the interior is from the 15th and 16th when James IV, V and VI developed it as a royal residence in Renaissance style. It became an army base in 1800 and remains the HQ of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, though they are nowadays quartered in Edinburgh. Visits take in the Great Hall, the Palace and Chapel Royal, the kitchens, tapestries, vaults, the gardens, and Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regimental museum. There is limited access for those with restricted mobility, but the "access gallery" gives them a view of the hard-to-reach sections. Argyll's Lodging just outside the gate is a fine 17th-century town house, erected by the 1st Earl of Stirling, but remains closed for building work. Unicorn Cafe inside the castle serves good quality food but is pricey. Adult £17.50, child £10.50, conc £14.00 on-line prices.
- Valley Lane Cemetery is on the south flank of Castle Hill, with 19th century funerary monuments. The pyramid in the adjacent gardens is a monument of 1863 "to all those who suffered martyrdom in the cause of civil and religious liberty in Scotland".
- 🌍 Church of the Holy Rude, St John Street FK8 1ED. April-Oct M-Sa 09:00-17:00, Su alternate am or pm. Beautiful church from 15th century with impressive stained glass; James VI of Scotland was crowned here. See also the adjacent cemetery, where one gravestone depicts an 1822 victim of body-snatching. Adult £5, child or conc £4.
- Mar's Wark opposite Holy Rude is the facade of a 16th century townhouse, and that's all that remains.
- 🌍 Smith Art Gallery and Museum, 40 Albert Place FK8 2RQ, ☏ +44 1786 471917. W-Su 10AM-5PM. Small art gallery, local museum and cafe. Galleries One & Two have rotating exhibitions. "Stirling Story" in Gallery 3 sets out the history of the area and local industry. Displays the world's oldest football - did Mary Queen of Scots really play keepy-up with this? Free.
- 🌍 Cambuskenneth Abbey, Ladysneuk Road FK9 5NG (use footbridge from Riverside Drive). Apr-Sep daily 9:30AM-5:30PM. Ruins of an Augustinian 12th century abbey, on a loop of land far side of the meandering River Forth. It's mostly just courses of masonry but the bell tower has been restored. You can see the graves of Queen Margaret of Denmark and her husband James III here. Free.
- 🌍 Stirling Old Bridge was built some time in the 15th century to carry the road to Perth and the Highlands. The timber bridge that it replaced, 180 yards upstream, caused the English downfall at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297: see Bridge of Allan for this story. The modern A9 crosses just downstream and the old bridge is pedestrianised.
- Bridge of Allan lies across the river: visit here for the Wallace Monument and Stirling University. It also includes Cambuskenneth Abbey, but that's easier to reach from Stirling.
- 🌍 Bannockburn (Battle of Bannockburn Experience), Glasgow Road, FK7 OLJ (Bus from Stirling 56. X36 Swift. stop Milton Brae or 1314 Inn.), ☏ +44 1786 812664. Daily 10AM-5PM. England's King Edward II tried to install a puppet king on the throne of Scotland, and garrisoned Stirling Castle. In 1314 the Scots under Robert the Bruce besieged the castle then attacked the English forces to the south at Bannockburn. They won, a victory celebrated today in the song Flower o' Scotland. There's a monument and statue of Robert the Bruce that you can visit free anytime. But what the crowds come for is the Battle of Bannockburn Experience, After an introductory film you are led to a map room where knowledgeable staff explain the course of the battle, you are then led to a room where there is a 3D immersive experience with lots of CGI and an opportunity to examine the weapons used.. Admission is only by timed slot, with limited capacity so they often book out. After briefing and familiarisation, you spend about an hour in there. Adult £8.50, child (minimum age 7) £7, NTS or NT members free. Book tickets via website recommended..
- 🌍 Alloa Tower, Alloa Tower, Alloa (.7 mile walk from Alloa station at the end of the Glasgow Queen St-Stirling line. Bus 51 from Stirling). See Website. Not in Stirling itself but easily reachable, this 14th century tower was the medieval residence if the Erskine family. Adult £8.50, child £5.00. NTS & NT members free. see website for other prices..
Do
- What's on? Tune in to Central on 103.1FM or read Stirling News.
- Cinema: Vue Cinema is on Forthside Way just south of the railway station.
- Live music: Albert Halls is on Dumbarton Rd, and Tolbooth is on St John St next to the Visitor Centre. Alhambra Theatre has closed.
- AMF Bowling Alley is on Forth St east of the railway station.
- Football: Stirling Albion were promoted in 2023 so they play soccer in Scottish League One, the third tier. Their home ground is Forthbank Stadium, capacity 3800, by the Sports Village a mile east of city centre.
- Alloa Athletic also play in League One. They play at the Recreation Ground in Alloa, capacity 3100.
- Rugby: Stirling County RFC play rugby union in National League One, the amateur game's second tier in Scotland. Their home ground is Bridgehaugh Park, just north of the A9 bridge out of town.
- Golf: Stirling GC is southwest on Dumbarton Rd. White tees are 6504 yards, par 72.
- 🌍 Sports Village (aka The Peak) is the main fitness facility, on Forthside Way a mile east of town. It has a swimming pool, ice rink, climbing wall, gym and fitness classes. Stirling Albion football ground is across the road.
- See Bridge of Allan for walks in the nearby hills.
- 🌍 Blair Drummond Safari Park, Blair Drummond FK9 4UR (six miles west of Stirling on A84), ☏ +44 1786 841456. Mar-Oct daily 10AM-5PM. Drive-through safari park, plus enclosures for chimps, sea lions, bugs, birds of prey, petting farm and so on. Plus lots of theme-park stuff like pedalos and zipwires that charge extra. No dogs. Booking essential, no tickets at the gate. Adult £21, child or conc £15..
- Briarlands Farm, Blair Drummond FK9 4UR (next to Safari Park), ☏ +44 1786 841309. Feb-Dec daily 10AM-5:30PM. Children's farm: petting zoo, fruit-picking, go-karting, trampolines, a maize maze and other family activities. Adult £7.50, child £9.50.
- Summer Sessions are a series of rock concerts held in June and July 2024.
- Stirling Highland Games are in August at the Sports Village. The next are on Sat 17 Aug 2024.
Buy
- Port Street has the usual range of high-street shops and banks. Stirling has a few independent shops, mostly on side streets or north of the railway station.
- Farmers Market is held on Port St 10AM-4PM on the second Saturday of the month.
- Europa Music at 10 Friars St is an independent music store, open M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su noon-5PM.
- Thistle Marches is a shopping centre just south of the railway station with the usual range of high street stores. Open late Thursday nights.
- Supermarkets include Tesco 5 min north of railway station, Sainsbury's a little further north, and Morrison's a mile to the east. They're mostly open until 11PM.
- Stirling Arcade, King Street FK8 1AX, ☏ +44 1786 450719. A Victorian shopping arcade, built in 1881, housing several boutique shops and cafés.
- Made in Stirling, 44 King Street FK8 1AY (opposite The Crossed Peels), ☏ +44 1786 357550. Daily 10AM-5PM. Outlet store for local artists, with distinctive hand-crafted gifts and souvenirs.
Eat
- Fast food outlets are Greggs (various locations), McDonalds (by station) and Pizza Hut (300 yards north of station). Lots of cheap & cheerful restaurants and takeaways also.
- Sida Thai (formerly Poonthai), 9 Baker Street FK8 1BJ, ☏ +44 1786 464837. Tu-Su noon-3PM & 5-10PM. Highly commended Thai restaurant.
- Green Gates, 2 Queen Street FK8 1HN (200 yards north of railway station), ☏ +44 1786 473766. M-Th 4-10PM, F Sa noon-10PM, Su 1-10PM. Great reviews for this Indian restaurant.
- Greengrocer Cafe, 81 Port St FK8 2ER, ☏ +44 1786 479159. M-F 9AM-5:30PM. Gourmet sandwich lunch menu and cakes.
- 🌍 The Crossed Peels, 8 Spittal Street FK8 1AT, ☏ +44 1786 460317. Daily 8AM-midnight, food until 10PM. JD Wetherspoon pub with food all day
- Splurge at 🌍 Hermann's, Mar Place House, 58 Broad Street FK8 1EF, ☏ +44 1786 450632. Daily noon-3PM, 6-11PM. Excellent Austrian/Scottish fusion restaurant using local produce.
Drink
- Nicky-Tams, 29 Baker Street FK8 1BJ, ☏ +44 1786 472194. M-Th noon-midnight, F Sa noon-1AM, Su 1PM-midnight. Opened in 1718, friendly (and dog-friendly) atmosphere, mostly student clientele, food served to 9PM. Live music most nights, pub quiz Sun evenings.
- Corn Exchange, 11 Corn Exchange Road FK8 2HX, ☏ +44 1786 451904. W Th 5-11PM, F Sa noon-2AM, Su noon-10PM. A Belhaven pub with decent ale and meals.
- The Portcullis, Castle Wynd FK8 1EG, ☏ +44 1786 472290. Su-Th 11:30AM-11PM, F Sa 11:30AM-midnight. Friendly pub at the foot of the castle car park. Good whisky selection. Also offers good quality meals and accommodation.
- Settle Inn, 91 Saint Mary's Wynd FK8 1BU, ☏ +44 1786 474609. M-F 3PM-midnight, Sa Su noon-midnight. Traditional pub close to the castle, dog-friendly, but they don't do food. Frequent live music. Board games available for customers to play.
- Fubar, 6 Maxwell Place FK8 1JU, ☏ +44 1786 472619. W-Sa 10PM-2AM. Club with two floors, programme varies.
- Stirling Distillery makes gin and whisky at 9 Lower Castlehill, tours available.
Sleep
Budget
- Stirling Youth Hostel, St John Street FK8 1EA (just before TIC, turn 2nd left after Highland Hotel), ☏ +44 1786 473442. Built behind the façade of an old church and open all year, it offers 2 to 6-bedded rooms, self-catering kitchen, internet, friendly staff and TV room. Bunk £27, double room £57, breakfast £6.
Mid-range
- Premier Inn, Forthside Way FK8 1QZ (riverside just east of station), ☏ +44 333 321 9335. Reliable central chain hotel. They have another south at the M9 / M80 / A91 junction. B&B double £105.
- B&Bs: those central include Lost Guest House at 4 Melville Terrace, Castle Walk B&B on Back Walk, and Munro's at 14 Princes St.
- The Golden Lion is a 3-star hotel at 8 King St FK8 1BD, B&B double £60.
- Stirling Highland Hotel, Spittal St FK8 1DU (along main street to castle), ☏ +44 1786 272727. Welcoming hotel in Victorian schoolhouse in old centre. B&B double £110.
- Hotel Colessio, 33 Spittal St FK8 1DX (along main street to castle), ☏ +44 1786 448880. Central boutique hotel. B&B double £90.
- Victoria Square is a pleasant small hotel at 12 Victoria Square near the golf course.
- 🌍 Holiday Inn Express, Springkerse Business Park FK7 7XH (1 mile east of town on A91), ☏ +44 371 902 1628. Modern chain hotel with 80 a/c guest rooms, meeting facilities, bar, coffee lounge and free parking. 20 min walk from centre, but use the Park & Ride bus from the nearby Morrison's supermarket, M-Sa every 12 min. Dog-friendly. B&B double £85.
- Blair Drummond has a caravan site by the safari park.
- 🌍 Hillview Cottage, Kirk Lane, Blair Drummond FK9 4AN (off A84 near safari park), ☏ +44 1786 841679, website@hillview-cottage.com. Open all year, with 3 en suite bedrooms (sleep 2, 3 or 4). 50 yards off main road and quiet. B&B double £70.
- Powis House is an elegant B&B north of town along A91, open Apr-Oct.
- The Cross Keys in Kippen is an old coaching inn with fine dining.
Connect
As of Feb 2024, Stirling and its approach roads have 4G from Vodafone, and 5G with EE, O2 and Three.
The Central Library on Corn Exchange Road has free internet access. It's open M W F Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Tu Th 9:30AM-7PM.
The Post Office is within WH Smith, opposite Marks & Spencer, in Thistle Shopping Centre. It's open M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Su 10AM-4PM.
Go next
- Bridge of Allan is just across the river. It has riverside walks and the Lecropt Kirk.
- Dollar has scenic Dollar Glen, leading up to Castle Campbell.
- Doune has a 14th-century castle with a great view over the valley.
- Dunblane has an impressive cathedral. An early Pictish stone was found here.
| Routes through Stirling |
| Perth ← Dunblane ← | N SE | → Falkirk → Edinburgh |
| Glasgow ← Cumbernauld ← | SW N | → merges with |
| Trossachs ← Doune ← | NW SE | → END |
| ENDS AT / J9 ← | SW NE | → Dollar → St Andrews |