Stirling


 * For the village in southeast Ontario see Belleville (Ontario)

Stirling is a city in the central lowlands of Scotland, and historically the county town of Stirlingshire. For centuries this was the main route between the Highlands and the Lowlands, guarded by the castle on its battleship of a crag, and with the River Forth sweeping round as a moat. The Scots won two famous victories against the English on the nearby fields, at Stirling Bridge and at Bannockburn. Medieval Scottish rulers made it their residence and capital.

Stirling had a population of 37,730 in 2024. The city limits include Bridge of Allan, the village north of the river which is now the campus for Stirling University, and Dunblane further north; these are described on their own pages.

Understand
The River Forth meanders east out of the Trossachs across a broad plain, and swells when it's joined by the River Teith - this made Stirling the lowest point that early architects could span with a bridge. A few miles downstream the river becomes tidal, and you had to cross by ferry until modern times. So if you controlled the bridge at Stirling, you controlled the all-weather route between Edinburgh and the Highlands. Better still, you got to levy tolls and taxes on everyone who needed to pass.

The city was inevitably bashed about in several conflicts, the last at the hands of the Jacobites, who in 1746 failed to capture the castle and blew up their own ammo depot in pique. Stirling has since then been a quiet market town, making its living from agriculture. Before the railways, huge cattle drives would plod over the bridge and through town towards southern markets, even as far as London Smithfield. When 19th and 20th century heavy industry developed, this was to the south around Falkirk and downstream in Grangemouth, Fife and the Lothians; Stirling was relatively untouched and preserved its old centre. There's nowadays a ring of light industry and suburbs, but the big boost was the 1967 establishment of the University of Stirling. This has some 8500 undergraduates and 4000 postgraduates.

Visitor information

 * is the tourist office, in the Old Town Jail on St John St near the castle. It's open daily 10AM-5PM.
 * Stirling Council — city council website

By plane
Edinburgh Airport is the nearest, and has a good range of flights domestically, within Europe and beyond. It's 29 miles (47 km) southeast of Stirling, a 30-min drive along the M9 motorway. Or take the bus or tram from the airport to Haymarket or Edinburgh Park for frequent trains to Stirling.

Glasgow Airport  likewise has good domestic and European flights but fewer long-haul. It's also the wrong side of the city for Stirling. By road, follow M8 east then M74 to avoid city centre traffic, then head north on M73 to M80. Or take the airport bus into Glasgow then the train.

By train

 * Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain

Stirling has trains every 30 min from Glasgow Queen Street, Edinburgh and Haymarket, and Perth; and hourly from Aberdeen and Dundee. There are trains every 15 min from Dunblane and hourly from Alloa. From Inverness there's an hourly service, alternately direct or changing at Perth.

From Manchester or Birmingham change in Glasgow. From London, York and Newcastle you usually change in Edinburgh, but there are two direct daytime trains from London King's Cross taking 5 hr 30 min.

Two Caledonian Sleeper trains run overnight Su-F from London Euston. The Highland Sleeper, departing around 9PM, calls at Stirling before 5AM on its way to Inverness; the southbound train picks up shortly after midnight to reach Euston by 8AM. You might prefer to take the Lowland Sleeper north near midnight, changing in Glasgow around 7AM for a morning train to Stirling; the southbound train leaves Glasgow Central at 11:30PM to reach Euston by 7AM.

Grand Union is a new railway company that plans to run four trains a day from Stirling to London Euston, via Motherwell, Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes. They aim to start in July 2025.

is central in town, with a staffed ticket desk and machines. There's a waiting room and toilets plus a few convenience shops, but more in the shopping centre just south. There is step-free access to all platforms.

By bus
McGill's Bus X36 runs from Glasgow Buchanan station to Stirling M-Sa every 30 min and hourly Sunday, via Cumbernauld and Denny. Buses from Glasgow to Aberdeen and Inverness rush past on the M9 and don't call at Stirling.

Citylink Bus 909 runs from Edinburgh St Andrew Square hourly via the airport, Bo'ness, Grangemouth and Falkirk to Stirling (90 min), with two buses a day extending to the University campus.

Bus 978 also runs daily from Edinburgh and continues from Stirling to Doune, Callander, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Dalmally, Taynuilt and Oban. National Express no longer calls at Stirling.

Stirling bus station is 100 yards south of the railway station, adjoining Thistles shopping centre.

By road
Stirling is on the main A9/M9 route from the central belt of Scotland to the Highlands, some 28 miles (45 km) northeast of Glasgow via M80, and 35 miles (56 km) northwest of Edinburgh via M9. From London and the Midlands it's usually quickest to follow M6, M74 then M73 onto M80.

Get around
The town and castle are best explored on foot.

Uni-link Bus UL runs every 30 min from Stirling bus station to the University of Stirling campus. McGill's Bus 54 also runs there every 30 min via Bridge of Allan village.

McGill's Bus 38 runs every 20 min from Falkirk via Larbert and Bannockburn. Bus 51 runs every 30 min from Alloa. Bus 59 runs hourly from Callander via Doune and Blair Drummond Safari Park.

Taxi operators are Alba Cabs (+44 1786 595025), Goosecroft (+44 1786 472220) and Stirling Taxi (+44 1786 343434).

Nextbike offer app-based bike hire in Stirling. Bikes cost £1 for 30 minutes, or £10 for the day. Bikes are hired and returned to stations around Stirling, from Bannockburn to Bridge of Allan.

See

 * Valley Lane Cemetery is on the south flank of Castle Hill, with 19th century funerary monuments. The pyramid in the adjacent gardens is a monument of 1863 "to all those who suffered martyrdom in the cause of civil and religious liberty in Scotland".
 * Mar's Wark opposite Holy Rude is the facade of a 16th century townhouse, and that's all that remains.
 * was built some time in the 15th century to carry the road to Perth and the Highlands. The timber bridge that it replaced, 180 yards upstream, caused the English downfall at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297: see Bridge of Allan for this story. The modern A9 crosses just downstream and the old bridge is pedestrianised.
 * Bridge of Allan lies across the river: visit here for the Wallace Monument and Stirling University. It also includes Cambuskenneth Abbey, but that's easier to reach from Stirling.
 * was built some time in the 15th century to carry the road to Perth and the Highlands. The timber bridge that it replaced, 180 yards upstream, caused the English downfall at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297: see Bridge of Allan for this story. The modern A9 crosses just downstream and the old bridge is pedestrianised.
 * Bridge of Allan lies across the river: visit here for the Wallace Monument and Stirling University. It also includes Cambuskenneth Abbey, but that's easier to reach from Stirling.
 * was built some time in the 15th century to carry the road to Perth and the Highlands. The timber bridge that it replaced, 180 yards upstream, caused the English downfall at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297: see Bridge of Allan for this story. The modern A9 crosses just downstream and the old bridge is pedestrianised.
 * Bridge of Allan lies across the river: visit here for the Wallace Monument and Stirling University. It also includes Cambuskenneth Abbey, but that's easier to reach from Stirling.

Do

 * What's on? Tune in to Central on 103.1FM or read Stirling News.
 * Cinema: Vue Cinema is on Forthside Way just south of the railway station.
 * Live music: Albert Halls is on Dumbarton Rd, and Tolbooth is on St John St next to the Visitor Centre. Alhambra Theatre has closed.
 * AMF Bowling Alley is on Forth St east of the railway station.
 * Football: Stirling Albion were relegated in 2024 so they play soccer in Scottish League Two, the fourth tier. Their home ground is Forthbank Stadium, capacity 3800, by the Sports Village a mile east of city centre.
 * Alloa Athletic play in Scottish League One, the third tier. They play at the Recreation Ground in Alloa, capacity 3100.


 * Rugby: Stirling County RFC play rugby union in National League Two, the amateur game's third tier in Scotland. Their home ground is Bridgehaugh Park, just north of the A9 bridge out of town.
 * Golf: Stirling GC is southwest on Dumbarton Rd. White tees are 6504 yards, par 72.
 * (aka The Peak) is the main fitness facility, on Forthside Way a mile east of town. It has a swimming pool, ice rink, climbing wall, gym and fitness classes. Stirling Albion football ground is across the road.
 * See Bridge of Allan for walks in the nearby hills.
 * Summer Sessions are a series of rock concerts held in June and July 2024.
 * Stirling Highland Games are in August at the Sports Village. The next are on Sat 17 Aug 2024.
 * Summer Sessions are a series of rock concerts held in June and July 2024.
 * Stirling Highland Games are in August at the Sports Village. The next are on Sat 17 Aug 2024.

Buy

 * Port Street has the usual range of high-street shops and banks. Stirling has a few independent shops, mostly on side streets or north of the railway station.
 * Farmers Market is held on Port St 10AM-4PM on the second Saturday of the month.


 * Europa Music at 10 Friars St is an independent music store, open M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su noon-5PM.
 * Thistle Marches is a shopping centre just south of the railway station with the usual range of high street stores. Open late Thursday nights.
 * Supermarkets include Tesco 5 min north of railway station, Sainsbury's a little further north, and Morrison's a mile to the east. They're mostly open until 11PM.

Eat

 * Fast food outlets are Greggs (various locations), McDonalds (by station) and Pizza Hut (300 yards north of station). Lots of cheap & cheerful restaurants and takeaways also.
 * Splurge at
 * Splurge at
 * Splurge at
 * Splurge at
 * Splurge at

Drink



 * Stirling Distillery makes gin and whisky at 9 Lower Castlehill, tours available.
 * Stirling Distillery makes gin and whisky at 9 Lower Castlehill, tours available.
 * Stirling Distillery makes gin and whisky at 9 Lower Castlehill, tours available.
 * Stirling Distillery makes gin and whisky at 9 Lower Castlehill, tours available.
 * Stirling Distillery makes gin and whisky at 9 Lower Castlehill, tours available.
 * Stirling Distillery makes gin and whisky at 9 Lower Castlehill, tours available.

Mid-range

 * B&Bs: those central include Lost Guest House at 4 Melville Terrace, Castle Walk B&B on Back Walk, and Munro's at 14 Princes St.
 * The Golden Lion is a 3-star hotel at 8 King St FK8 1BD, B&B double £60.
 * Victoria Square is a pleasant small hotel at 12 Victoria Square near the golf course.
 * Blair Drummond has a caravan site by the safari park.
 * The Cross Keys in Kippen is an old coaching inn with fine dining.
 * Victoria Square is a pleasant small hotel at 12 Victoria Square near the golf course.
 * Blair Drummond has a caravan site by the safari park.
 * The Cross Keys in Kippen is an old coaching inn with fine dining.
 * The Cross Keys in Kippen is an old coaching inn with fine dining.
 * The Cross Keys in Kippen is an old coaching inn with fine dining.

Connect
As of Feb 2024, Stirling and its approach roads have 4G from Vodafone, and 5G with EE, O2 and Three.

The Central Library on Corn Exchange Road has free internet access. It's open M W F Sa 9:30AM-5PM, Tu Th 9:30AM-7PM.

The Post Office is within WH Smith, opposite Marks & Spencer, in Thistle Shopping Centre. It's open M-Sa 9AM-5:30PM, Su 10AM-4PM.

Go next

 * Bridge of Allan is just across the river. It has riverside walks and the Lecropt Kirk.
 * Dollar has scenic Dollar Glen, leading up to Castle Campbell.
 * Doune has a 14th-century castle with a great view over the valley.
 * Dunblane has an impressive cathedral. An early Pictish stone was found here.