Steeped in Scottish history and scenically set in the central lowlands, Stirling packs a punch for its small size. The city was central to some momentous Scottish history, including William Wallace’s defeat of the English at the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge—the National Wallace Monument here honors him. Perched atop a bluff, the city’s old town is a beautifully preserved jumble of historic buildings and cobbled streets that wind up to the majestic Stirling Castle. It’s an easy day trip from Edinburgh or Glasgow with many things to do.
When it comes to weather, visitors to Scotland should always expect the unexpected, but May, June, and July offer the best chance at sunny days. Spring and summer also have the advantage of extended daylight hours (in June the sun sets after 11pm.) The gloomy winter months, on the other hand, bring chill, lots of rain, and short daylight hours.
There’s no need to have your own vehicle in Stirling as the city center, which is home to most attractions, is compact and easy to get around on foot. You can also easily reach nearby destinations by bus or train—the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre, for example, is just a 15-minute bus ride from the city center.
North of Stirling (around 30 minutes by bus), the imposing Doune Castle has starred in many movies and TV shows, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail,Game of Thrones, and Outlander. Built in the 14th century, the castle is in partial ruins, but it retains one of Scotland’s best preserved great halls.
