16 Best Places in Stirling Every Serious Traveler Should See

1. Stirling Castle

Sort of like a less-big, less-famous version of Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle is massive, it’s located on a big hill (well, a volcanic crag), and it dominates the city it sits in.

Some parts of the castle date from the 11th century… and from its outside, you get impressive views of the city.

… on the inside of Stirling Castle, you get art pieces, old buildings, loads of historical insights, a royal palace, The Chapel Royal, models of famous people, statues of chefs, the Stirling Castle Tapestries, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum, and five areas of kid-friendly fun.

… and from the trail that leads up to its top, you get fun exercise, an easy but exciting challenge, and more great views. Though you can just drive up if you don’t want to walk.

Lots of royals lived here, lots of battles took place in and around the area, and the castle changed hands 8 times over 50 years(!) during the Scottish Wars of Independence. One of the most significant historical buildings in all of Scotland – here’s our full guide to Stirling Castle.

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Overall, Stirling Castle is recommended for basically everyone (and this is coming from a guy who doesn’t care about historical sites).

For more big bricky behemoths, here are the 18 best castles in Scotland.

• Location/Address: Castle Wynd, Stirling, FK8 1EJ
• Opening hours: from April until September, 9.30am until 6pm. From October until March, 9.30am until 5pm
• Entrance fees: £19.50 for adults, £15.60 for concessions, and £11.70 for kids (though online ticket prices for each category are a little cheaper)
• How to visit: walk from central Stirling, or take this tour from Edinburgh

2. National Wallace Monument

One of the most distinctive landmarks in Scotland, the National Wallace Monument (also known as just ‘The Wallace Monument’) sits around 2.5 miles (4km) from the center of Stirling.

A big lofty lonely tower, it measures in at 67 meters (220 feet), and it’s dedicated to the legendary Sir William Wallace.

(William Wallace is one of the most iconic Scots of all time—he’s the guy Mel Gibson pretended to be in Braveheart, and he was one of Scotland’s most successful leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence).

So, if you want to learn about the man, this is the best place to do it.

Exhibits include:

• A ‘Hall of Heroes,’ with busts of many Scottish icons
• Info on the Battle of Stirling Bridge (and other battles)
• A section with truths and myths on the big man himself
• The Wallace Sword, which measures 1.68m (5.5 feet), and weighs 3kg (6.6 lbs)

Other perks include… lots of walking trails, an excellent observation deck (sat at the top of 246 steps, it offers views of the Ochil Hills, the Forth Valley, Ben Lomond, and the Pentland Hills), and some kid-friendly stuff. Here’s our full guide to the place.

Fun Fact: The monument was built here, on the volcanic crag of Abbey Craig, because this is where Wallace stood before the Battle of Stirling Bridge. From here, Wallace allegedly watched King Edward’s army gather before the Scots fought them.

• Location/Address: Abbey Craig, Hillfoots Road, Stirling, FK9 5LF
• Opening hours: 10am until 5pm in January, February and March; 9:30am until 5pm in April, May, June, September and October; 9:30am until 6pm in July and August; and 10am until 4pm in November and December.
• Entrance fee: £11.30 for adults, £7.10 for kids, and £9.20 for concessions
• How to visit: drive or walk from central Stirling, take the 52 bus from central Stirling (which rides all the way to the monument car park). Or take this tour from Edinburgh (the tour also includes visits to Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace)

3. The Kelpies

Okay, the Kelpies aren’t really in Stirling:

They’re actually sat much closer to the town of Falkirk, around 14 miles (22.5km) from Stirling.

But lots of people visit the Kelpies from Stirling anyway, and maybe that’s your plan too.

The Kelpies are weird. Two gigantic horse head statues, they’re the world’s biggest horse-based sculptures, and they measure in at a height of 30 meters (98 feet). They represent mythological beings (also called Kelpies), but they also represent the industrial heritage of the area.

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They don’t really *do* anything, but they look cool. And at night, they’re all illuminated.

They sit inside Helix Park, a huge green space measuring in at over 350 hectares (over 860 acres). The park is home to a pond (where you can hire boats and feed ducks), walking trails, play areas, cafes, and even a bike ride loop.

If you’re traveling with kids, heading to the Kelpies area is a fun way to spend a day.

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For much more, here’s our full guide to the Kelpies.

• Location/Address: Visitor Centre, The Helix, Grangemouth, Falkirk, FK2 7ZT
• Opening hours: the Kelpies are accessible 24/7/365… but to explore all the stuff we’ve mentioned, head to the park between 9.30am and 5pm (7 days a week)
• Entrance fee: the whole park is free to enter. But you sometimes need to pay for car parking—and if you want to go inside the Kelpies, you need to book a £10 tour at the Helix Visitor Center
• How to get from Stirling to the Kelpies: it’s best to drive (it takes 25 minutes). If you don’t have a car, the best direct option is the F16 bus, which leaves from central Stirling, and will drop you a 20-minute walk from the Kelpies

4. Forth Valley Tourist Route

This road trip runs between Edinburgh and Stirling (and you can ride it in either direction, obviously).

Avoiding the direct M9 motorway route, the Forth Valley Tourist Route takes smaller roads in what’s one of the busiest parts of Scotland. Though it’s not the most scenic ride in the world, it has a big focus on history (both recent and not-recent).

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You’ll see:

• Old-school stuff (Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace)
• Hefty industrial sights (like the Kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel)
• And two UNESCO sites (the Forth Bridge, and the Roman Antonine Wall)

A great way to see loads of sights in only a day or two. And because it’s an official road trip, it’s waymarked.

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For way more road-tripping around one of the world’s best road-tripping nations, here’s our guide to the 18 best road trips in Scotland.

• Itinerary: Edinburgh to Stirling
• Distance: 43 miles/69 km
• Time: 1-2 days

5. The Heart 200

The second of two road trips we’ve brought you (and the best of them)…

… The Heart 200 gets its name because it passes through the so-called ‘heart’ of the nation.

So you probably think it takes you to Glasgow, and Edinburgh, and many of Scotland’s most popular hiking places.

But you’d be wrong:

Although this ride ventures through the center of the nation, it skips most of the country’s most famous places. So you don’t see Glasgow, or Edinburgh, or Dundee. But you do see Perth, the southern part of Cairngorms National Park, the eastern part of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, and some other lovely places (including, of course, Stirling).

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A great way to see tucked-away sights and tucked-away nature in the most central part of Scotland. Highlights include:

• Loch Earn: narrow, quiet and pretty, one of Scotland’s most underrated lochs. It has a road running around its entire perimeter: great for a scenic bike ride.
• Strathyre: sitting between Loch Earn and Loch Lubnaig, this tiny village is one of the prettiest in southern Scotland.
• Loch Ard: another lovely loch, this one sits inside Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. It’s home to forests, a sailing club, a little island, lots of viewpoints, and the ruins of a castle.
• … and all the hikes you can tackle along the way.

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Note: This ride is much longer than the Forth Valley Tourist Route. So it’s only an option for people who are in Stirling for a few days (or longer).

Oh, and if you want to hit the very best road trip in Scotland, here’s everything you need to know about the iconic North Coast 500. It’s the best road trip I’ve ever been on.

• Itinerary: Loop starting and ending in Perth or Stirling
• Distance: 158 miles/320km
• Time needed for the trip: 3-7 days

6. The Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre

Bannockburn was the site of one of the most famous battles in the Scottish Wars of Independence:

… here, Robert The Bruce led his army to victory against King Edward II of England.

It was a massive turning point in the war… and was one of the landmark victories that led to Scottish re-gaining their independence (before then later re-losing it and re-gaining it again).

Here, at Bannockburn Visitor Centre, you can learn all about the hows and whys. The visitor center sits on the exact site where the battle occurred, and it uses 3D technology to bring the famous battle to life.

Other highlights include a cafe, a memorial park, interactive sections with medieval fighters, and lots of insights into Scottish history.

Right beside the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Center, you’ll also find a statue of Robert The Bruce. He’s sitting on a horse, and the head of the statue was modeled on some actual remains of Bruce’s real skull. Spooky.

• Location/Address: Glasgow Road, Whins Of Milton, Stirling, FK7 0LJ
• Opening hours: typically 10am until 5pm, 7 days a week
• Entrance fee: £7.50 for adults, £5.50 for concessions
• How to get there from Stirling: the drive is 5 minutes—the walk is around 40. And there are many direct buses running the route

7. Stirling Old Bridge

There’s not a huge amount to do here (you can basically only look at it and walk over it), but it’s a famous sight.

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Built in the 1400s or 1500s, it once provided the lowest crossing point of the Forth River… so it was a key strategic place in many battles. These days, it’s just a pretty bridge.

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• Location/Address: vaguely northwest of the city’s *actual* bridges
• Entrance fee: none

8. Stirling Old Town Jail

Loads of fun if you like gory and grisly stuff.

… and excellent for families (assuming you don’t have easily spooked kids).

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On tours here, you’ll be taken around by a costumed character, who’ll give you lots of horrid insights into torture, punishment, weird crimes, and all the bizarre characters who stayed in the jail. A genuinely interesting way to learn about Scottish history.

Weird tales include references to wars, gas masks, children, and candy.

Other highlights include an escape room, a crime scene, live performances, audio tours, creepy characters, and lots of unexpected loud noises. And because it’s in the center of the city, it’s easy to reach.

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• Location/Address: St John Street, Stirling, FK8 1EA
• Opening hours: Varied throughout the year
• Tour fee (you can only enter with a tour): £12 for adults, £7 for kids

9. Church of the Holy Rude

Sitting close to the Old Town Jail, the Church of the Holy Rude gets its name from the True Cross (the one Jesus was crucified on).

*To be clear though, the cross has no relationship to the church—the place was simply named in honor of the object.

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A small but startling place, it features Gothic architecture, stained glass windows, ancient tombstones, and lots of historical significance. If you like religious buildings, you’ll love it.

• Location/Address: Church of the Holy Rude, St John Street, Stirling, FK8 1ED
• Opening hours: typically 9am until 5pm, but some Sundays differ. It’s only open from Easter until the end of October
• Entrance fee: £5 for adults, £4 for kids and concessions

10. Blair Drummond Safari Park

If you’re traveling with kids, this is an absolute must-visit.

The best safari park in Scotland, Blair Drummond is home to more than 350 types of animals (many of them rare and exotic). Lots of the animals roam freely, and you can explore the park in-car or on-foot.

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Highlights include tigers, giraffes, zebras, lots of hands-on shows and displays, the bizarre Lemur Land, and boat trips to a chimp-inhabited island (weird).

Note: The safari park actually sits a 15-minute drive from central Stirling. But it’s totally worth the trip.

For more animal-based family-friendly fun, here’s our guide to the best zoos and safari parks in the UK. And here are the best aquariums in the UK.

• Address: Blair Drummond Safari Park, Blair Drummond, Stirling, FK9 4UR
• Entrance Fees: £21 for adults, £15 for kids. Children under 3 go free
• Parking Fees: Free
• Opening hours: usually 10am until 5:30pm, 7 days a week. But it’s closed in colder months, and it sometimes has different opening times for special events
• How to get there from Stirling: drive for 15 minutes… or take the X10A or 59 buses. Both buses drop you around a 10-minute walk from the park

11. Briarlands Farm

More animal-action kid-friendly fun!

… and because Briarlands Farm sits very close to Blair Drummond Safari Park, some people visit both places in one day.

But while Blair Drummond is all about big beasts, this place is a bit more homely and wholesome (and it’s better for younger kids). A family-managed farm, highlights include:

• Go karting
• Mazes and play areas
• Berry-picking (when in-season)
• Tractors and other farm equipment
• Touching and feeding lots of animals (including cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, alpacas, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and more)

A cute and charming way to spend half a day. Highly recommended!

• Location/Address: Blair Drummond, Stirling, FK9 4UR
• Opening hours: usually from 10am until 4pm, but times vary—so check in advance. And it’s sometimes closed during winter months
• Entrance fee: £7.50 for adults, £9.50 for children, £4.50 for concessions. All online tickets are 10% cheaper than these prices
• How to get there from Stirling: the same ways you reach Blair Drummond Safari Park! The two are very close to each other

12. Doune Castle

Sitting just outside the little town of Doune…

… Doune Castle is a massive 14th-century historyfest, with a big courtyard, and one of the best-preserved great halls in Scotland.

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You might recognize Doune Castle from Outlander (in the show, it plays the role of Castle Leoch).

Pro Tip: If you want to explore way more Outlander-related sites in Scotland, you can take themed tours. This is the best of them – it leaves from Edinburgh, it includes Doune Castle, and it features loads more stuff.

Other Doune Castle highlights (whether you like Outlander or not) include the kitchen, a huge number of rooms (many of them hidden away—great for playing hide and seek with kids), and the little hole-in-the-floor jail.

Fun Fact: Castle Doune was also used as a set for both Monty Python and Game of Thrones.

• Location/Address: Castle Hill, Doune, FK16 6EA
• Opening hours: April until September, 9.30am until 5.30pm. October until March, 10am until 4pm. Sometimes closed in some parts of January and February
• Entrance fee: £10 for adults, £6 for kids, £8 for concessions
• How to get there from Stirling: the 59 and S60 buses run directly and frequently, and the total trip takes around 40 minutes. Or it’s a 20-minute drive by car.

13. Hikes and Walks

Okay, this isn’t one particular place (sorry).

… but there are LOADS of little (and big) hikes you can tackle in and around Stirling.

The walks up to both Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument are excellent (make sure you take the long trail up to Stirling Castle if you have the time and the energy; it includes a walk past the infamous ‘Beheading Stone’).

Another in-city option is a walk around Kings Park (where you’ll also find playgrounds, lots of quiet picnic spots, and a skate park). Ideal for kids… as is Plean Country Park, which sits just south of the city.

For something a bit more challenging and interesting, I recommend the Ben Cleuch circular, northeast of Stirling.

… and for way more, here’s a big list of all the best hikes in and around the area.

14. The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum

Free to enter, the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum is home to more than 40,000 objects and pieces of art…

… and it’s mainly centered around the people and history of Stirling.

Expect artifacts and exhibits running all the way from the Bronze Age to the modern day, along with a big focus on William Wallace and Robert The Bruce.

Highlights at the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum include themes and items like:

• WW2
• Whale bones
• Roman pottery
• Art pieces by local people
• The world’s oldest football
• An old Scottish music store
• … and, importantly, a great on-site cafe

Overall, a great art gallery. One of the best small-city museums and galleries in Scotland, and a great way to learn about this historic city (and its people). Here’s the official site.

• Location/Address: 40 Albert Place, Dumbarton Road, Stirling, FK8 2RQ
• Opening hours: Wednesday until Sunday, 10am until 5pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
• Entrance fee: Free!

15. Cambuskenneth Abbey

One of the most important abbeys in Scotland…

… and originally built in the mid-12th century.

This was the burial place of King James III (who was a Scottish king from 1460 until 1488, and was born in Stirling Castle!), and his wife Queen Margaret. It also hosted royal events, and government meetings… and was originally built to serve Stirling Castle.

While there’s now not much of the abbey left (well, apart from the bell tower, which remains stubbornly standing), you can still wander around the ruins. Great if you’re into history.

• Location/Address: Ladysneuk Road, Cambuskenneth, Stirling, FK9 5NG
• Opening hours: April until September, open 7 days a week, from 9.30am until 5.30pm. Closed all other months
• Entrance fee: Free!
• How to get there: 30-minute walk from central Stirling

16. Dunblane Cathedral

An old medieval church, some still-surviving parts of Dunblane Cathedral were built in the 1100s.

HIghlights include a Gothic doorway, some 1400s choir stalls, lots of intricate wood, and live services (this cathedral is a still-working church, and it serves the people of Dunblane, the close-to-Stirling town it sits in).

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Overall, one of the prettiest small cathedrals in Scotland.

If you’re interested in religious buildings, this is worth the trip. If you aren’t, it isn’t.

• Location/Address: The Cross, Dunblane, FK15 0AQ
• Opening hours: from April until September, 10am until 5pm. From October until March, 10am until 4pm. But it’s not open on Sundays (except for worship). Also: it closes every day for lunch from 12:30pm until 1:30pm
• Entrance fee: None—it’s a still-working church
• How to get there: take the direct 15-minute train from Stirling to Dunblane. And explore the pretty town of Dunblane while you’re there!