At 447 sq mi or 1,158 km2, Stirlingshire is not only a big area to cover but has a lot to see and learn in its history, and Stirling is a great place to start through its attractions.
This large area lies between Glasgow and Edinburgh and is of historical significance. It is here that the Battles of Bannockburn, Stirling Bridge and Falkirk were fought and where Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument stand. Stirlingshire is another place where you could spend a lot of time exploring and taking photos.
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If you plan on travelling around the UK, the best way to get around is by car. You get to see more, but you will find hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.
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Contents
- 1 Stirlingshire Attractions
- 2 Stirling, Stirlingshire Attractions
- 3 Falkirk Attractions
- 4 Dollar Attractions
- 5 Where I Stayed
- 6 Conclusion
- 7 Links
- 8 Travel Resources
- 9 Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!
Stirlingshire Attractions
The following attractions are in Stirlingshire. Stirling is packed full of attractions for you to learn all about Scottish history.
The Dunmore Pineapple Airth
The Dunmore Pineapple is under the care of the National Trust for Scotland, and it is free to wander the grounds.
Walk around the parkland and gardens or take a picnic to have the grounds in front of the house.
The is plenty of wildlife in the woodland to keep an eye out for.
There is only a small car park available here, so please time your visit accordingly.
The David Stirling Memorial, Doune
A bit off the beaten path, the David Stirling Memorial commemorates the founder of the modern-day SAS.
The memorial is set near his home near Doune. He is remembered for recognising the need for a specialised force that could cause havoc with only a few men.
Although captured by the Italians in 1943, he managed to escape camps four times before ending up in Colditz Castle.
It’s a lovely lookout over the Southern Highland Hills, on the Hill of Row, just off the B824.
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, Stirling
Only a 10-minute drive out of Stirling, Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park is the place to come for kids and animal lovers.
With large car parks dotted around the grounds, you can drive from one area to another in this 120-acre property to see animals, shows and play on the playgrounds and amusements that are here.
Large areas for picnics and BBQS are next to the car parks. The adventure playground is situated next to the central car park, among the animal enclosures.
Talks, presentations and displays happen throughout the day. The Bird of Prey display shows off the skills of these magnificent birds as they fly right over your heads at times.
Elevated platforms offer great views of the giraffes, lions, and tigers. You could also catch a boat trip around Chimp Island, where you can watch them play and learn about their different personalities or walk across the bridge to Lemur Land, where the Lemurs run freely in the walk-through enclosure.
At the end of your day, you drive through the safari to exit. Here you have lions, camels, antelope, rhinos and Barbary macaques that entertain you from the comfort of your car.
Keeper Talks and Shows
- 11.15 am Elephant
- 11.45 am Rhinos
- 12.15 pm Lions
- 12.45 pm Giraffes
- 1.30 pm Chimps
- 2.45 pm Red Ruffed Lemurs
- 3.15 pm Penguins
- 3.45 pm Tigers
Are you interested in being a keeper for the day? Feeding Giraffes, Meerkats or Penguins? or spend time with a Hooded Vulture in the show? Try the Animal Experiences for an experience you won’t forget.
How to Get Here
Blair Drummond is signposted off the M9 at Junction 10. Alternatively, direct buses leave Buchanan Street bus station in Glasgow and Stirling bus station several times a day.
Hours
The park is open daily from 10:00 am. However, since tickets must be booked, a time block is allocated when you purchase them. Therefore, it’s best to arrive early to enjoy a full day of animals and fun.
Prices
Click here to book your tickets on the day and time you wish to visit.
Please note that all tickets must be purchased in advance, as they will no longer be available for sale on the day.
Please ensure that you have booked the correct time and day, as changes cannot be made to tickets that have been booked.
Stirling, Stirlingshire Attractions
Home to the Battle of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn, this town has so much to offer those interested in Scottish history. This is the heart of Stirlingshire and is full of attractions for you.
Explore Stirling Castle, the old Jail, Wallace Monument, and so much more.
Stirling Old Bridge
Just a short walk out of town is the Stirling Old Bridge.
This bridge would have been built around the 1400s or 1500s, replacing the wooden bridges that came before.
The battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 is when William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeated the English forces.
Today you can see in the distance the National Wallace Monument from this bridge.
Stirling Castle
A visit to Stirling isn’t complete until you visit Stirling Castle.
It’s best to get here early, especially if you’re driving, as the car park fills up very quickly.
You can take a tour and hear about the different areas and rooms of the castle. After the tour, you are free to roam or go back to where you have been to take photos.
It is not only the stately rooms that are on show but the kitchens as well. There is the Regimental Museum, galleries and tapestries to explore, and the Palace Vaults will keep the kids entertained with interactive displays.
Castle Opening Hours
Stirling Castle is open daily from 9.30 am. Last entry and closing times vary by season. Closing times for independent museums vary. The Regimental Museum closes 45 minutes before the castle.
| Summer | Closing Time | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Aug – 30 Sept | 6 pm | 5.00 pm |
| Winter | Closing Time | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct – 31 Mar | 5 pm | 4.00 pm |
Unicorn Café Opening Times
1 April to 31 March:
9.30 am to 5.30 pm (takeaway only between 10 am and 11 am)
Closed 25, 26 December and 1 January
Check for any unforeseen closures here.
Prices
Historic Scotland ticket holders Free
- Adult (16-64 years) £18.50
- Child (7-15 years) £11.00
- Concession (65+ and Unemployed) £15.00
For all other prices, including gate prices, please click here.
Argyll’s Lodging, Stirling
At the moment, Argyll’s Lodging is closed for renovations, as it was when I visited Stirling.
Argyll’s Lodging townhouse is the best example of a Renaissance townhouse that you will find.
Its rooms contain recreated tapestries, painted decoration and fine architecture.
Please check their website for when it’s open.
Church of the Holy Rude, Stirling
Just a short walk down from Stirling Castle is the Church of the Holy Rude.
Holy Rude means Holy Cross and is the second oldest building in Stirling, being founded in 1129.
Inside, you can appreciate all the stonework that has gone into making this beautiful church.
Hours
The Church is open to visit from 29th March 2025.
- Monday – Saturday: 10:00 – 18:00
- Sunday: 12:30-18:00
**Last Admission 17:30pm**
Please note that the Church might be closed from time to time due to special events. Be sure to check our website and socials before you travel.
Prices
Adult: £5.00
Concession: £4.00 (child /student in full time education or adult 60 or over)
Child under 12: free
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Old Stirling Jail
Old Stirling Jail takes you on a journey as a convict with “different people” taking you through. You could have another trusted “prisoner” or the warden talking about the stories back in the day and showing you the cells.
The tour finishes at the top of the observation tower, where you can take in the views over Stirling.
Old Stirling Jail is a definite must-do attraction while you’re in Stirling. It’s a fun way to see what life was like when this was a working jail, even though it wouldn’t have been fun at the time.
Tour Times
We are open daily with live performance tours departing every 30mins between 10.15am and 6pm (last tour at 5.15pm).
Prices
To find the prices and book online, click here.
Battle of Bannockburn, Stirling
Another historical figure in Scotland is Robert the Bruce.
At the Battle of Bannockburn site, you can learn all about this battle that pitted King Edward II of England against Robert the Bruce.
The Battle of Bannockburn Experience is inside the information centre. It is a digital re-creation of the battle that immerses you in this time.
The grounds and commemorative monuments, including the statue of Robert the Bruce on horseback, are out the back. They are free to go at any time of the day or night.
This park is always open and where you can take stunning photos of sunsets over the surrounding hills.
Opening Hours Visitor Centre & Battle Experience
6 Jan–23 Dec, daily, 10.00–17.00
Café 1 Mar–23 Dec, daily, 10.00–17.00.
Site All year, daily.
Prices
Battle of Bannockburn Experience
- Adult £9.00
- Family £25.00
- One Adult Family £17.00
- Concession £7.50
- Young Scot £1
National Trust for Scotland members is free.
Tickets for the battle experience must be purchased in advance for a specific time slot.
The National Wallace Monument, Stirling
The National Wallace Monument is the place to learn about this national hero.
From the large car park below you have the visitor centre, shop and cafe at the bottom of the hill. You can take the shuttle or walk up to the Monument from here.
To get to the top of the Monument, you need to walk up the spiral staircase and 246 steps. There is no handrail. Anyone who has read my posts before would know that I don’t like spiral staircases. I will only use them if they are open and have a handrail, so I haven’t been up.
The first-floor gallery, The Hall of Arms, displays William Wallace’s sword. At 165cm tall and weighing 3kg, it is hard to imagine someone wielding this weapon. You can also learn about Wallace’s life, separating myth from reality.
On the second floor is the Hall of Heroes, which houses busts of the people who have shaped Scotland over the years.
The Royal Chamber is on the third floor. This gallery contains information on the Battle of Stirling Bridge, weapons used by both sides and interactive displays.
You can also design your coat of arms and have your photo taken in front of it on an interactive coat of arms.
There are great views of the Stirling countryside from the top.
Hours
| January & February: | 10.00 am – 4.00 pm |
| March: | 10.00 am – 5.00 pm |
| April to June: | 9.30 am – 5.00 pm |
| July & August: | 9.30 am – 6.00 pm |
| September & October: | 9.30 am – 5.00 pm |
| November & December: | 10.00 am – 4.00 pm |
Last admission – 1 hour before closing.
The National Wallace Monument is closed on Christmas, Boxing, and New Year’s Day.
Adverse weather can affect the opening of the Monument during the winter period. As a result, the Monument’s opening times may change at short notice, disrupting the services we provide to visitors.
Prices
- Adult £11.65
- Senior Citizen (aged 60+) £9.50
- Child (5-15) £7.30
- Child (under 5) Free
- Family from £30.60
For more pricing and booking, click here.
Rob Roy McGregor Statue, Stirling
Rob Roy McGregor was an outlaw to some and a folk hero to others.
He had participated in the first Jacobite uprising of 1689 but also became a respected cattleman until he had to default on his loan. He lost his land and was branded an outlaw until being pardoned after five years in jail.
His statue stands tucked away at the bottom of the Corn Exchange Road, but you can’t help but notice it as you pass by.
The Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, Stirling
The Stirling Smith Museum and Art Gallery were founded in 1874 by the bequest of artist Thomas Stuart Smith.
Starting as an Art Gallery, it has grown into a museum covering everything from agriculture to industry, literature to the arts, photography and paintings, and so much more.
Regular exhibitions showcase artists, and you can see what’s on when you visit by checking out their website here.
This is a great place to keep the kids entertained and dry if the weather isn’t great.
Hours
Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-5 pm.
The Cafe closes 1 hour earlier.
Prices
Free, but you may have to pay for special exhibitions.
Falkirk Attractions
Falkirk is a great place for the whole family to visit. You’ll need your camera ready to capture the mythical beasts of Scotland that call Falkirk home, and it’s only a short drive out of Stirlingshire that you can see these attractions.
The Kelpies and Helix Park, Falkirk
Helix Park is a great place for kids, with a playground and lake to walk around. It also joins the wetlands and then leads you along the canal to the magnificent Kelpies.
Take a tour inside the Kelpies and learn all about their history.
The Kelpies are lit up from sunset and are even more delightful to see after dark than during the day.
Hours
Our tours operate daily, and each tour lasts approximately 25 minutes.
November – March 10.30, 12.30 and 14.30
April – October 10.30, 11.30, 13.30, 14.30 and 15.30
Tours may be available at these times. For more information call us on 01324 590600.
Prices
- Adult £8.50
- Concession £7.50
- Child £3.50
- Child (2 children with 1 adult) Free
Click here to book.
If you need more information on Falkirk, click the link to my blog, Family Fun in Falkirk.
The Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk
The Falkirk Wheel is the last place to visit in Falkirk. This engineering masterpiece is excellent to watch, lifting a barge from the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. It opened in 2002; surprisingly, there is nothing else like it in the world.
Hours
3rd March – 28th March
7 days a week, 9:45 am – 4:00 pm
29th March – 30th June
7 days a week, 9:45 am – 5:30 pm
Please note that The Falkirk Wheel will be out of operation for maintenance until mid-February. Our visitors centre and café remain open during these times.
Parking
The parking areas are just a short walk up from the canal.
£3.50 per day.
Prices
To check prices for activities and book, please click here.
If you need more information on Falkirk, click the link to my blog, Family Fun in Falkirk.
Callendar House, Falkirk
Callendar House is less than a 10-minute drive up the road from the Kelpies or the Falkirk Wheel.
With a museum and extensive grounds to explore, Callendar House is a great spot for a picnic, letting the kids run around before giving them a history lesson that goes back to Roman times.
This is also the location of the TV series Outlander. The authentic Georgian kitchen was used as Bellhurst Manor, the Duke of Sandringham’s estate.
Hours
10 am – 5 pm Wednesday to Monday
Price
Free
For more information on Falkirk, click on my blog, Family Fun in Falkirk.
Dollar Attractions
Dollar Glen
Although Dollar Glen is in the neighbouring county of Clackmannanshire, it is only a half-hour drive from Stirling and well worth the look.
Lower car parks are for those walking up through the Glen to Castle Campbell.
There are bridges to cross and waterfalls to see as you go up and back down the trails.
Walking up through the Glen gives you glimpses of your final destination, Castle Campbell, at the top.
Castle Campbell, built in the 1400s, is part of Historic Scotland. It is one of the best-preserved tower castles in the country and has views across the Glen below.
Once you have arrived at Castle Campbell, explore the interior and imagine what it would have been like to live here.
Open
1 Apr to 30 Sept:
Daily, 10 am to 4.30 pm (last entry 4 pm).
Closed for lunch from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm (last entry noon).
1 Oct to 31 Mar:
Closed
Check for closures here.
Admission to Castle Campbell
For online or walk-up prices, click here.
An adult must accompany children under 16.
Concession price: this applies if you can show proof that you’re aged 65+ or unemployed.
Admission prices are subject to change.
Where I Stayed
You can’t beat Stirling YHA for location, as it’s right in the heart of all major Stirling attractions.
Most of Stirling’s attractions, including Stirling Castle, the Old Jail, the Church of the Holy Rude, and the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, are within walking distance of the YHA.
Facilities
- 24 Hour Reception
- Free Wifi
- En Suite Rooms
- Suitable for Groups
- Alcohol Licence
- Laundry Room
- Access with limited mobility
- Suitable for Wheelchair Users
- Private Rooms
- Family Rooms
- Catering
- Lounge/TV Room
- Secure Lockers
- Bike Store
- Free Parking (nearby or onsite)
- Suitable for wheelchair users with assistance
How To Get Here
The YHA in Stirling is conveniently located on St. John Street, right next to Stirling Castle and within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions.
How to Book
If you want to stay here and explore this incredible area, click here to book.
Conclusion
I hope that you get plenty of inspiration from what I have posted. Stirlingshire is an area with everything from nature to history, and I’m sure you will enjoy exploring it through its attractions.
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Links
If you’d like to read more of my blogs on Australia, you can find them on the following links; Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Camping and Silo Art, or if you’re after New Zealand, the United Kingdom or Photography, you can click on their links.
Travel Resources
- Flights & Accommodation—You can search for the cheapest flights and accommodation using Booking.com, Skyscanner, Tripadvisor, and WayAway, which offers 5% cashback.
- Car Hire—Take to the open road with great deals from EconomyBookings.com, RentalCars.com and DiscoverCars.
- Train & Bus Tickets UK & Europe—Use Trainline to plan and book your rail and bus travel in the UK and Europe.
- Travel Insurance is the number one thing to pack when you’re travelling. Cover-More Australia, Cover-More New Zealand, EKTA, Travel Insurance Master, and Insubuy keep you insured during your travels.
- Attractions—buy before you leave home with these great sites: Big Bus Tour, Get Your Guide, GoCity and Viator.
- House Sitting is a great way to save on accommodation, and Trusted Housesitters offers house sittings worldwide.
- Photo Editing is a great way to bring your photos to life, and you can try Luminar Neo, which I use.
- Visa Applications—apply online for your visa requirements with iVisa.
- Sim cards—Try Airalo, the world’s first eSIM store, which solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving travellers access to eSIMs (digital SIM cards).
If you want more, try my Travel Links and Resource page.
Did You Like This Post? Then Pin It!
Oh, Stirling Castle was one of my favorite stops when we visited Scotland. We spent nearly the entire day there and wandering around the cemetery next door. We have it on our travel list to go back there and spend more time in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Thanks for all these ideas.
Thanks, Nancy. Hopefully, you’ll get back to Scotland as there is as much to see outside the cities as in them.
Sure looks like there’s plenty to do and see in the area. I love the old buildings and the beautiful landscape.
Alison
Thanks, Alison.There sure plenty to especially when all the renovations are complete on some attractions.
Stirling Castle was one of my favorite places when our family visited Scotland! I also loved wandering around the cemetery next door. Thanks for this thorough post.
Thanks, Nancy. I really enjoyed exploring Stirling, it has so much to offer.
Lots to do here! Love the pictures
Thanks, Saskia.
These are some fantastic ways to explore Stirlingshire – thanks for all the information!
You’re welcome, Tanya.
The safari park looks so fun! beautiful photos
Thanks, Jennifer. The safari park was fantastic.