Coming up in this guide: big views, bigger buildings, a unicorn-themed tapestry, the royal palace, Mary Queen of Scots, and everything you need to know about Stirling Castle.
Stirling Castle is a hefty beast.
One of the most impressive castles in Scotland, it’s huge, it sits on a big hill, and it offers lovely views of the surrounding area. In a way, it’s sort of like a slightly-less-popular version of Edinburgh Castle.
… and, obviously, since you’re reading this guide, you want to visit the place.
So, coming up, we’ve covered why to visit, how to visit, all the things you can do there, and a load of nearby fun.
Slip into your chainmail, and come join the party!
What is Stirling Castle?
Well, it’s a Scottish castle.
But you probably already knew that.
Sitting high on a volcanic crag in the middle of Stirling city, the castle dates from at least the late 11th century, but all current-day buildings were constructed between 1490 and 1600.
(…and, during the Iron Age, there might have been some tribal fort here, but no one knows for sure).
The castle has been used for various purposes. For coronations, for battles, for vantage points, and as a home. Births and deaths have happened here, and power has been discussed and exchanged here.
The first-known buildings at the site were used as some type of meeting point (for leaders from across Scotland) before it then became a royal residence.
Many of these monarchs expanded and renovated the castle—usually (and I’m not joking) to impress their wives. But James VI had a chapel built here, so his son (another future king) could be baptized in the castle.
James VI himself was also baptized here (before that chapel was built, obviously) in 1566. And as part of those celebrations, the royals used fireworks—which was the first-ever recorded use of fireworks in Scotland.
Stirling Castle was also the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots (famous for becoming Queen when she was only 6 days old; and for being the first woman to rule Scotland).
The castle was also a major conflict site. Both Robert The Bruce and William Wallace fought in and around this area, and the castle was a key tactical and symbolic place during the Wars of Independence (that’s when England and Scotland were fighting, between 1296 and 1356). During these Wars of Independence, the castle changed hands 8 times in a period of 50 years.
These days, there’s a bit less drama here—and the castle is just a tourist attraction. But a really really good one. And that brings us to…
Should I Visit Stirling Castle?
Yep. It’s one of the best castles in Scotland.
It’s massive, it’s pretty, the views are great, and it offers plenty of exciting activities. And if you’re into historical sites, you’ll love the place.
And, let’s be honest… if you’re gonna visit the city of Stirling, you should definitely visit the big massive castle that sits high on a volcanic crag above the city of Stirling.
Inside the castle, you’ll find fun for adults, fun for kids, and (because of the hilly trails leading up to it) even fun for outdoor adventurers. Basically, whoever you are, it’s worth a visit.
(… and this is coming from a man who doesn’t even like historical places).
Opening Hours and Visit Recommendations
Opening hours vary depending on the time of year:
- From 1st April until 30th September, the castle is open from 9.30am until 6pm (with last entry at 5pm).
- From 1st October until 31st March, it’s open from 9.30am until 5pm (with last entry at 4pm).
December times might vary slightly, so check the site to be sure. And, important note: the castle isn’t open at all on the 25th or 26th of December.
You’ll probably spend around 2 hours at the castle—which will give you enough time to see the highlights without getting all bored.
… and the best time to visit depends on the type of atmosphere you’re looking for:
Assuming you don’t want it to be super-busy, avoid summer, warm afternoons, and weekends. If you do want it to be busy, do the exact opposite of all that.
How to Get to Stirling Castle
If you’re already in central Stirling, walking to the castle is easy:
For the shortest route, head northwest out of the city center—follow the main easy-to-find path coming off Corn Exchange Road, and walk for around 1 km (0.6 miles). It’s a wander up a steep hill, so it’ll probably take you around 30 minutes.
If you want to take the scenic route, head northeast from the center, to the so-called Beheading Stone. After the Beheading Stone, follow the semicircular southwest trail taking you up to the castle. This route has great views (of both the city and the castle), and some scenic wooded sections. In total, this route will take around 1 hour.
To get from central Stirling to the castle without walking, your best option is the free-of-charge P2 Castleview bus, which runs to the castle from the city center. It typically runs every 20 minutes. Here’s a map of the route.
If you’re in some other part of Scotland, you have various public transport options. To get from Edinburgh to Stirling, you can take a direct train from Edinburgh Waverley Station (the ride will take just under one hour). To get from Glasgow to Stirling Castle, take a direct train from Glasgow Queen Street (the ride will take around 30 minutes).
Or, of course, you can drive—the drive is around 1 hour from Edinburgh and around 40 minutes from Glasgow.
… no matter where you’re driving from, the castle has an on-site car park, which currently costs under £5, and has a maximum stay limit of 4 hours. That said, it’s quite small… so you probably won’t find a space on busy days (and they don’t have space for large vehicles, or people towing caravans).
If there’s no space at the castle car park, you can park in the city center, or head to the Castleview Park and Ride (at FK9 4TW).
Stirling Castle’s Key Features
On a visit to the castle, here’s what you can expect to see:
- The Great Hall: a massive banqueting hall, this was once used for feasts, parties, and dances—and the Great Hall was the biggest of its kind ever built in Scotland. It has sections where trumpeters played and a section where the ruling monarchs sat.
- The Royal Palace: all kooky and colorful, this is one of the best-preserved Renaissance buildings in the UK. A combo of Renaissance and Gothic stuff, it features intricate detail, big paintings and tapestries, and costume characters (who’ll talk you through the palace and its history).
- The Stirling Heads Gallery: unsurprisingly, this gallery is home to the so-called ‘Stirling Heads,’ a bunch of carved oak circles portraying historical figures. Among the famous faces, you’ll see kings, queens, bible figures, Roman emperors, mythological beings, and other people from Scottish history.
- The Chapel Royal: one of the most famous parts of the castle, this is the place James VI had built, for the baptism of his son Prince Henry. Pretty and pastel, it was built in just 7 months… and was one of the first Protestant churches in Scotland.
- The Great Kitchens: this big ol’ kitchen was responsible for churning out banquets, feasts, and fit-for-a-king dishes. These days, it’s packed with models of chefs and servants (and some rats).
- Queen Anne Gardens: green and serene, these aren’t the most impressive gardens in the world, but they’re home to loads of plants and flowers… and it’s a decent picnic spot on a sunny day.
- The Castle’s defensive structures: surrounding various parts of the castle, these defensive structures include ditches, an artillery spur (where artillery was thrown from), cannonball-blockers, arched chambers, thick walls, and more.
- … and the Unicorn Cafe*: this cafe is open from 9:30am until 5:30pm from April to September, and from 9:30am until 4:30pm from October until March. It offers a load of locally sourced eats and treats, with a surprisingly big menu.
*If that cafe name seems a bit weird, get yourself over to our guide on the national animal of Scotland… and you’ll see what Stirling Castle’s unicorn imagery is all about.
Exhibitions and Displays in the Castle
Other big highlights of a visit to the castle include:
- The Stirling Castle Tapestries: a set of seven hand-woven tapestries, work on these recreations started in 2002. Inspired by the so-called ‘Unicorn Tapestries’ of the 15th and 16th centuries, they feature dogs, horses, castles, people, a load of intricate detail, and—as you probably guessed—unicorns.
- The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum: this lengthily-titled museum celebrates The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, a former infantry regiment of the British Army. The museum features stories on the regiment, their families, their culture, and their clothes… with some interactive sections for kids.
- The Palace Vaults: here, you’ll find interactive and educational displays for children. Spread over five chambers, you can expect animatronics, instruments, costumes, lots of games and challenges, and things to touch and sniff. It’s really immersive and interesting, and even adults might learn some fun stuff.
Guided Tours of Stirling Castle
If you don’t want to wander through the castle on your own (you probably won’t learn much), here are all your options for being talked and toured around:
→ History Tour from Edinburgh
Ideal for travelers overnighting in Edinburgh, this tour starts and ends in Scotland’s capital, and takes you to Stirling Castle, Rosslyn Chapel (a 15th-century chapel, some people reckon it’s one of the most beautiful buildings in Scotland), and Dunfermline Abbey and Palace (the final resting place of Robert The Bruce).
Included in the tour, you get transport to and from Edinburgh, a friendly driver, and loads of historical context from your guide.
→ Sightseeing Tour from Edinburgh
Focused less on history and more on pretty sights, this tour also starts and ends in Edinburgh. You’ll see Loch Lomond, the Kelpies (a pair of strange horse-head sculptures), and Stirling Castle. Other en-route highlights include hills, lochs, and a mini optional walk.
Again, you get transport to and from Edinburgh, along with a safe journey and a helpful guide.
→ In-Person Guided Tour inside the Castle
Obviously, given Stirling Castle is in Stirling, you don’t need to take a tour from Edinburgh.
Instead, you can arrive at the castle, and organize a tour there.
… and the most popular of all the options are the in-person guided tours.
These in-person guided tours are included in the ticket price—so unless you have absolutely zero interest in history (like me), you’ll probably want to take the opportunity. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable, and they give you loads of time for questions. The tours last around 45 minutes, and you don’t need to book in advance.
The tours take place every 30 minutes, every day, between 10am and 3pm. Get yourself to the meeting point at the Fort Major’s House, and find a guide.
→ Self-guided Audio Tours
If you don’t want to be sociable, you can put a guide in your ears instead.
They’re less than the price of a coffee, and they’re available in English, Gaelic, French, German, and Spanish.
→ British Sign Language Tour
These tours aren’t live, but they’re really detailed.
You click on this link, you watch the videos, then you go to the castle to put it all into context.
(… or, obviously, you don’t need to go to the castle at all. You can just watch the videos, stay at home, and save yourself some time.)
→ The Family Trail
On the Family Trail, you and your kids are given a printout (which you can find here), and you follow it to different areas of the castle.
Expect tasks, challenges, some fun facts, a section for coloring, and even more unicorns.
Events & Activities at the Castle
During certain times of the year, you’ll find special activities at the castle.
Highlights include:
- Christmas events: festive offerings include Christmas-based afternoon teas, Christmas fairs (with food and decorations from local businesses), theater evenings (featuring local performers), carol-singing sessions, hands-on wreath-making, and other crafty sessions for kids (and adults who behave like kids).
- Hogmanay (which, in case you don’t know, is the Scottish name for New Year’s): expect local food, live music, and a massive fireworks display.
- Burns Night: across Scotland, January’s Burns Night celebrates much-loved Scottish poet Robert Burns. Expect poetry readings, facts on the man himself, and munching on haggis, neeps and tatties (which translates into ‘haggis, turnips, and potatoes’).
- … and occasional exhibitions and other special events (often related to local culture and local happenings).
Tips to make the most of your visit
- If you don’t want to be surrounded by lots of other tourists, consider visiting the castle outside of summer months. Stirling gets loads of visitors in July and August… and because Scottish kids get six weeks of vacation in summer, many local tourists visit the castle during this period.
- If you can walk, walk: hiking to the top of the castle is a much more interesting way to see and appreciate the place. And if you have the energy, you should definitely take the longest possible route.
- Give yourself time to explore Stirling: a pretty little city, it’s massively underrated, and not enough foreign tourists come here. Highlights include a retro Old Town, some excellent walks and wanders (I recommend the Ben Cleuch circular if you’re looking for something challenging), pretty nearby towns (Bridge of Allan is super cozy) and good proximity to both Glasgow and Edinburgh*.
*For more information on exploring both Glasgow and Edinburgh, here are the best areas and hotels in Glasgow, the 15 best day trips from Edinburgh, and our 2-day Edinburgh itinerary.
What Has Been Filmed at the Castle?
Not as much as you think.
Many people think segments of Game of Thrones were filmed here.
But they weren’t—yep, its history and aesthetic inspired some parts of the series, and some parts of Game of Thrones were filmed at nearby Doune Castle…
… but no Game of Thrones footage was actually shot at Stirling Castle. Sorry to upset you.
The same applies for both Outlander and Monty Python’s Holy Grail, both of which also used Doune Castle as a filming site.
The 1970s British TV drama series Colditz shot some sections at Stirling Castle, but I don’t know of anything else that did.
Other Attractions Close to the Castle
This part of Scotland has a surprisingly-massive collection of tourist attractions.
So while you’re visiting Stirling Castle, you might also want to hit up…
- Argyll’s Lodging: known as “the most important surviving town-house of its period in Scotland,” this 17th-century mansion sits close to Stirling Castle. Now a museum, it’s home to relics, tapestries, and restored rooms. It’s currently closed to visitors, but it should reopen soon.
- Stirling Old Town Jail: on tours here, you’re led around by a costume character, who’ll give you juicy info on all the punishment and torture that took place in the jail. Highlights include a crime scene, an escape room, and a load of gory details.
- The King’s Knot: sitting inside King’s Park, these weird lumpy mounds were once part of some formal gardens. They’re free to visit, and they’re pretty cool from afar. The top of the King’s Knot also offers a great vantage point for looking at the castle.
- Stirling Old Bridge (or just ‘Stirling Bridge,’ as some people call it): because it’s an important river-crossing point, this ancient bridge was a key tactical feature in many historical battles.
- National Wallace Monument: built to commemorate the legendary Scottish warrior William Wallace, this big lonely tower sits slightly outside of Stirling, and overlooks the city. It measures 67 meters (220 feet), and features information on Wallace, his battles, and his impact—and has a scenic viewing platform. For more, here’s our full guide to the monument.
- Bannockburn Heritage Centre: here, Robert The Bruce led his army to victory against the English in the Battle of Bannockburn. The heritage center has information on the battle and its consequences, and a nearby statue of Robert The Bruce.
- The Kelpies: a weird pair of horse-head sculptures, the Kelpies are one of Scotland’s strangest tourist attractions. Sitting on the outskirts of Falkirk, they measure in at 30 meters/98 feet, and they’re especially nice to visit at night (when they’re all illuminated). For more, here’s everything you need to know about the Kelpies.
Where to Stay Near Stirling Castle
- Castlecroft Bed and Breakfast: an old-school bed and breakfast, this place is outrageously homely. Expect real fires, endless pillows, homemade bread, comfortable beds, and lots of flowers.
- The Riverside Apartment: if you’re looking for your own apartment, this is absolutely the best you’ll get. Perks include free parking, lovely pastel decor, and modern furniture. It’s comfy and cozy, and you’ll feel right at home.
- Lost Guest House Stirling: if you’re on the hunt for both affordable and central, this is the place for you. It’s a little dated and basic, but the staff are friendly, and the big cooked breakfasts are excellent.
- Holiday Inn Express: this sits outside the center, so it’s only a good choice if you’re driving. If you are, you’ll find low prices, comfortable rooms, and space to park your car. It’s a standard low-price hotel chain, with a great value-for-money buffet breakfast.
Where to Eat Close to Stirling Castle
- Bob & Berts Stirling: a cute Scottish chain, this is perfect for chowing down on crowd-pleasing fayre. Expect breakfasts, cakes, great coffee, excellent sandwiches, and lots of kid-friendly eats.
- Caffe Pompei: possibly the best cafe in the city, this place is famous for its tasty cannolis. Other offerings include brownies, pastries, excellent ice cream, and lots of vegan options.
- Hermanns: hidden away inside an old townhouse, Hermanns offers both Scottish and Austrian cuisine (strange combo), and it’s a top spot for an affordable but upmarket meal. The schnitzels and risottos are particularly popular.
- Mediterranèa: serving up little plates from Greece, Spain, and Lebanon, menu highlights here include spanakopita (mini spinach pies), ham croquettes, and excellent falafel.
- Hideaway Cafe: this joint actually sits in Bridge of Allan, which sits around 5 miles (8km) from Stirling. But it’s one of my favorite cafes in Scotland. A cozy little brunch spot, it features brilliant pancakes, lots of eggs and salmon, and a load of mismatched furniture. Massively recommended.
Before You Go
Alright, that’s everything you need to know about Stirling Castle!
Get yourself there, enjoy the views, and hop on a tour if you’re interested in the historical stuff.
… oh, and if you want a mini active adventure, walk the longer route up to the castle—it clocks in at around one hour, it takes you past the Beheading Stone, and you get great views of both the castle and the surrounding area.
For more Scottish fun (and lots more castles), here are 25 reasons you should visit Scotland this year.
