Things to see and do Stirling

Few buildings are as central to Scottish history as this one. The earliest written records date back to the ^12th century, when King Alexander ^I had a chapel built here. It would appear that he made it the seat of his power, as it was here that he died before his successor, David ^I, consecrated the town as a royal burgh . By the time Alexander III died in 1286, it was a major administrative and strategic center. When Edward ^I of England invaded the country in 1296, he found the fortress abandoned and placed a garrison there, which was dislodged the following year by Andrew Moray and William Wallace. The following summer, the English victory at Falkirk forced the Independents to abandon the city, before taking it back in 1299. However, they lost it again in 1304, when the English deployed 17 siege engines. Their new monarch, Edward II, was unable to protect Stirling, which came under the authority of Robert, since crowned King of Scots, after the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The city was English from 1236 to 1242, before falling into the hands of the future Robert II, guaranteeing its Scottish future. The country being finally pacified, the Stuarts built a real palace there and multiplied the works during the Renaissance. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned queen there before her departure for the French court. She made a habit of visiting it regularly and had her newborn son, James, the future sovereign of Scotland and England, baptized there and spent his childhood there. Following the Union of the two crowns in 1603, Stirling's role declined sharply and the castle became primarily a defensive place during the religious troubles. Today, a visit to the castle takes you back to this rich and eventful past.

To see: We discover the historic chapel, the impressive Great Hall, but also the royal palace. The apartments of the queen and the king are of great beauty. Do not miss the kitchens, the tapestry exhibition and the Regimental Museum of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. All brought to life by a costumed staff, as well as free guided tours every hour between 10am and 5pm.

Will you see the ghosts of the castle? It is said that ghosts would live here... One would be dressed as a Highlander, in a kilt, and that he could approach visitors to talk to them and would disappear immediately. In other versions, visitors would think of a guide, would approach him and he would vanish into thin air. One also speaks about a green lady..

Erected in 1869, this superb 67m tower is dedicated to none other than the famous national hero of the 13th century: Sir William Wallace. It was made possible thanks to a fund-raising campaign in the midst of the resurgence of Scottish identity. Its elaborate Victorian Gothic style contrasts with the very modern University of Stirling, at the bottom of the hill from which it dominates the surroundings. It is said to have been here that the fierce warrior watched Edward I's army set off before the Battle of Stirling Bridge on 11 September 1297. Climbing the 246 steps to the top offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area. The visit also allows you to see the weapons used in the battle against the English, some busts of great Scottish names and the sword of Wallace himself.

Good to know : Access to the monument (outside) is entirely free. A free parking is available at the bottom of the site and you can go up by following a path that goes through the woods or the small road, only used by the site shuttle. The site alone offers magnificent panoramas.

Guided tours with actors: In high season, guided tours are offered by actors in costume. All year round, conferences and animations are programmed.

Legends Coffee House: To refresh yourself and regain your strength after walking to the monument, let yourself be tempted by the Legends Coffee House. It's cosy and everything is local.

The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum holds in its collections some 40,000 objects and works of art - paintings, photographs, sculptures, and miscellaneous art objects - representing Stirling around the world and showing what Stirling is all about. Three galleries alternate temporary exhibitions. You may meet Oswald Clingan-Smith, the master cat, in the museum spaces or in the library. The place also has a café and a shop.

Created in 2015, this distillery opened its doors to the public in spring 2019. It invites you to discover how gin is made through 3 visits. They will show you the premises, the manufacturing techniques, the perfect recipe for gin and tonic and will allow you to taste one or more drinks, depending on the formula chosen. The guided tours are special in that they also tell you about Stirling, its history and its legends: that of the Red Cap and the Green Lady in particular. You can also follow a 2-hour workshop to distill your gin.

Castle Campbell or Castle of Glooms - it's the same one, called differently - overlooks Dollar. This ^15th century castle dominates the valley with its medieval silhouette. Home of the Earls of Argyll - the heads of the Campbell clan - it is impressive for the panorama it offers and its central keep, 20 meters high. It first belonged to the Stuart clan. Mary Queen of Scots and John Knox stayed there. You can park below and access it by going up a waterfall, through a wooded and green area of great beauty. The gardens are also very pretty.

On June 24, 1314, the forces of Robert the Bruce defeated the English troops of Edward II here in the First War of Independence. At that time, Stirling Castle was held by England, and the Scottish King's brother Edward II held it under siege. He concluded with his enemies that if they were not rescued before mid-summer, they would give up the stronghold, the gateway to the Highlands, to him. London, unable to ignore this agreement, marched its men north. The Scots, one against two or three, managed to win the victory after two days, despite their numerical and material inferiority. This success opened the way for military raids to the south and put an end to the first conflicts of independence. The discovery centre that now occupies the site offers an immersion in this key moment in national history. Thanks to its 3D technologies and interactive imagery, it recreates the conditions of the battle. Immersion is total! And it's fun too: you can take control of your virtual battlefield and try to recreate the battle... The winner will remain, in any case, the valiant Bruce! The attraction has been awarded several times for its educational and innovative character, which involves visitors in the story, making it more alive than ever. Outside, don't miss the statue of King Robert and discover the place where Robert the Bruce raised his standard.

Don't think it's the church of the Holy Evil! Here, rough comes from the Scottish rood, which means cross, as in Holyrood Abbey. Founded in the 12th century, the building that stands here today dates from the 15th century, making it the oldest in the city after the castle. James VI was crowned by John Knox in 1587 and its characteristics are magnificent. The organ, first of all, but also the medieval wooden roof, the stunning stained glass windows and the imposing pillars. A little piece of history worth a look.

The Engine Shed invites you to explore Scotland's built heritage. Classical and interactive exhibitions provide an understanding of architecture over the centuries, capturing its history and becoming the ultimate in learning about Scotland's built heritage. The museum spaces are very modern: 3D theatres, augmented reality, participatory workshops... This very concrete visit puts you in a situation and makes you discover the buildings in all their states: plans, materials, know-how, engineering, technologies, and even practical advice.

The prison in the old town can be visited on a guided tour with an actor in costume, taking turns playing different roles. Immersed in the gloomy atmosphere of the building, designated as one of the worst prisons in Britain, you will discover the history of crime and punishment in the Stirling of yesteryear. You will meet the executioner Jock "The Happy Hangman" Rankin, but also the murderers and the tortured. From the top of the tower you will enjoy a beautiful view of the historic town and the surrounding countryside.