Old town
AtmosphereThe streets below the castle.
Stirling city guide
Things To Do In Stirling
A royal castle on a crag, the battlefields of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, and the Wallace Monument on the hill. Scotland's history in one small city, halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
1
Hostels in the city
9.0
Average, from 719 reviews
1297
Stirling Bridge
1314
Bannockburn
246
Steps up the Wallace Monument
The brooch that clasps the Highlands and Lowlands
Stirling stands at the lowest crossing of the river Forth, between the Lowlands and the Highlands, and whoever held it held Scotland. Two of the most famous battles in Scottish history were fought within sight of the castle: William Wallace's victory at Stirling Bridge in 1297 and Robert the Bruce's at Bannockburn in 1314.
Stirling Castle, on its volcanic crag, was the favourite royal residence of the Stuart kings, and Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned here as an infant. The old town climbs the hill below it.
Stirling is small, and a day or two is enough; it is easy to reach from both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Where to stay
The old town climbs up to the castle. Stay near the station or in the old town.
City centre
TransportNear the station.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 1 top-rated hostels. Map © MapTiler © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Stirling
Stirling Castle is the main sight: the restored Great Hall, the royal palace and views across to the Highlands.
The Church of the Holy Rude, below the castle, is where James VI was crowned in 1567.
Climb the 246 steps of the National Wallace Monument on the Abbey Craig for the view over the battlefield of Stirling Bridge. The Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre, just outside the city, brings the 1314 battle to life.
The Kelpies, giant horse-head sculptures at Falkirk, and Doune Castle, a filming location for Monty Python and Outlander, are short trips away.
Free things
Free things to do in Stirling
The old town and the Back Walk along the old city walls are free.
The grounds of the Bannockburn battlefield and the view from the Abbey Craig are free.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Stirling
Stirling has pubs and restaurants in the old town and the centre. A pub meal is £12 to £16.
Nightlife
Going out in Stirling
Stirling has a student population from the university and a handful of pubs in the old town.
A pint is £4.50 to £5.50.
Getting around
Getting around Stirling
The centre is walkable, though the castle is a steep climb.
Trains reach Edinburgh in about fifty minutes and Glasgow in about forty-five, and continue north to Perth and Inverness.
Costs
What Stirling costs
Stirling is mid-priced. A careful day is £45 to £60.
The costs that add up are the castle and the Wallace Monument.
The currency is the pound sterling, and Scottish banknotes are legal tender. Cards work almost everywhere, including contactless on buses.
Safety
Staying safe in Stirling
Stirling is very safe.
The cobbled streets up to the castle are steep and slippery in the wet.
Emergency number is 999 or 112; for mountain rescue, call 999 and ask for police, then mountain rescue.
Day trips from Stirling
Castles, kelpies and the Trossachs.
The Kelpies
Giant horse-head sculptures at Falkirk.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Lochs and hills at the edge of the Highlands.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Stirling's calendar is small; the castle hosts events through the year.
Staff pick
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Hostels
Where to stay in Stirling
The top-rated places to stay in Stirling right now, live from Hostelworld.
When to go
May to September is best.
Jan
Quiet
Feb
Quiet
Mar
Spring
Apr
Spring
May
Good
Jun
Long days
Jul
Summer
Aug
Busy
Sep
Good
Oct
Autumn
Nov
Dark
Dec
Christmas
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in pounds.
Excludes the castle and the Wallace Monument.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Stirling travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Stirling worth visiting?
Yes, for the castle, the Wallace Monument and Bannockburn.
How far is it from Edinburgh?
About fifty minutes by train.
Can I visit as a day trip?
Yes, from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
What is the Wallace Monument?
A tower on the Abbey Craig celebrating William Wallace, with 246 steps to the top.
Where was Bannockburn?
Just outside Stirling, where Robert the Bruce won in 1314.
How many days do you need?
One or two.
When is the best time to visit?
May to September.
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