5 BEST Things to Do – Stirling Day Trip Itinerary

Conveniently located somewhat between Glasgow and Edinburgh and called the Gateway to the Highlands, Stirling is where the undulating Scottish Lowlands meet the rugged slopes of the Highlands. This ancient old town has hosted some of Scotland’s most epic events and delivered some of the nation’s most romantic and/or courageous characters.

Stirling is bursting with a rich history. It was here in 1297 that William Wallace, in the Battle of Stirling Bridge, defeated the English, memorialized in everyone’s Scottish favorite (but historically inaccurate) film, Braveheart. Stirling has also been home to many famous Brits, including Mary, Queen of Scots and King James V.

Stirling at a Glance

Area: 6.3 sq. mi.
Population: 37,910
Part of the United Kingdom (not the EU).
Language: Everyone speaks English; some areas speak Scottish Gaelic
Currency: Pound Stirling (GBP).

We visited Stirling as part of our Scotland Folk Tours itinerary, but you can visit Stirling as a day trip from Edinburgh or Glasgow. You can also stop in Pitlochry if you are driving from Inverness to Stirling. Here are two other places to visit on the way to Stirling:

Kelpies

The Kelpies are a pair of fantastical steel horse heads installed a little more than halfway between Edinburgh and Stirling. Each head is approximately 100 feet high. The area around the massive sculptures is public for visitors to get up close or go inside a Kelpie on a tour for a look at their engineering and ingenuity.

In Scottish folklore, a kelpie is a dangerous shape-shifting water creature that can appear on land as a white or gray horse. The kelpies entice humans to climb on their backs for a ride, only to carry them down to a watery grave.

Doune Castle

Doune Castle is home to the MacKenzie clan. Recent research has revealed the castle was probably built during the 13th century but was subsequently damaged during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Restoration works were carried out in the 1880s, before its passing into state care in the 20th century. It is now maintained by Historic Environment Scotland.

The castle may look familiar to you… it was used in the filming of Outlander (Castle Leoch), Game of Thrones (Winterfell), and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Pitlochry

Pitlochry is a pretty town sitting on the River Tummel, in the heart of Scotland. Its downtown is one of Scotland’s most charming places to visit, with beautiful architecture, rich clan history, and delicious food.

Here are the five best things to do – Stirling day trip itinerary.

5 Church of the Holy Rude

Founded in 1129, the Church of the Holy Rude is the second oldest building in Stirling. Founded by David I, the church was the setting for the Scottish coronation of infant James VI (son of Mary Queen of Scots) in 1567. When he later also became King of England, he was named James the 1st.

The attractive brown and gray stone medieval church is small, but it’s easy to visit as it’s on the path downhill after you visit the castle which looms above it. It is significant in that it is the only surviving church in Scotland where a coronation took place.

For me, the main attraction is the large, ancient graveyard behind the church. The yard is filled with monuments and intricate gravestones. But be sure to climb the hill where you will find the most magnificent view of the castle, church, and countryside.

4 Old Town Jail

Just downhill from the castle, the Old Town Jail is the place to go for a gruesome history tour! Stepping back in time to punishment in the Royal Burgh, you can gasp, at tales of the horrible martyrs and executions, particularly at the hands of infamous executioner Jock “The Happy Hangman” Rankin.

There’s also an escape room and an observation tower offering some of the best views over the city and surrounding countryside.

3 National Wallace Monument

Are any Braveheart fans out there? I regret to inform you, that while very entertaining, the movie is wildly inaccurate. The name “Braveheart” was given to Robert the Bruce, not William Wallace.

Nevertheless, Sir William Wallace was indeed one of Scotland’s national heroes. The Wallace Monument is a prominent feature of the city skyline, towering on one of Stirling’s tallest hills. Here, visitors you can learn about how he led the Scottish army to victory at The Battle of Stirling Bridge. Climb the 246 steps to the Monument’s Crown to admire the stunning panoramic views.

2 Stirling Castle

Siting sentry 250 feet above the city, many people proclaim that Stirling Castle is their favorite castle in Scotland because of its fascinating history. The castle has stood here for centuries and has a turbulent past, having seen many kings and queens residing or coronated here throughout its history.

Having been a huge fan of the long-running TV series Reign which depicted the life of Many Queen of Scots as a young woman, I am obsessed with anything to do with her. Alas, that series was also not always historically accurate, but it was SO good. Mary Queen of Scotts was crowned in Stirling Castle as an infant. Also, Bonnie Prince Charlie was responsible for the most recent siege of the castle in 1746, resulting in his defeat.

Visitors can explore beautiful Queen Anne’s Gardens, the Great Hall, Chapel Royal, and the Regimental Museum.

The castle is easy to find and walk to. Just follow the meandering cobblestone streets uphill, higher and higher until you’ve reached the fortress at the top of the craggy volcanic hill. Castles were traditionally built on the tallest hill in the area to get a better view of approaching armies.

Views of the town from the castle’s ramparts are spectacular.

1 City Center

If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you’ll know that my favorite thing to do in every city/town in Europe is to explore its Old Town.

Stirling is a small city with lovely architecture and s very pedestrian-friendly. The center offers a nice mix of shops, cafes, and bars. I loved just wandering around the winding streets and side alleys, admiring the charming architecture.

What to Eat

As part of our Scotland Folk Tours itinerary, we spent a fabulous evening at the Allanwater Brewhouse for an expansive on-site catered BBQ with locally brewed ale and a private concert with talented local musicians.

Here’s a guide to traditional food to eat in Scotland.

Conclusion

With its abundance of rich culture, fascinating history, and delightful architecture, we fell in love with Stirling. We left feeling like we wanted to spend more time here and would love to return.

About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and the southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of the “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the next few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.

Disclosure: The author was honored to be the guest of Scotland Folk Tours during her stay, but as always, the opinions, reviews, and experiences are her own.