The Best Things to Do in Stirling, Scotland

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My Personal Ties to Stirling, Scotland

A trip to Scotland and Stirling was high on my list for many years. I have hundreds of years of family history in Stirling, and it was where my family lived before immigrating to Canada.

My family bounced back and forth between Hamilton, Ontario, and Stirling throughout the 1950s and 1960s, following work opportunities. Eventually, they settled in Canada for good.

Later on, my grandparents purchased a home in Stirling from an elderly relative. They split their time between Hamilton, Ontario and Stirling, Scotland for many years, living for half the year in each place.

In recent times, my grandparents had to sell their house in Scotland and stay in Canada as they got older. My grandpa always spoke so fondly about Stirling and Scotland.

He loved walking up the hill to Stirling Castle with his brother (who still lived in Stirling) each day. I felt like I already knew Stirling so well, even before visiting for myself.

Sadly, in 2018, my grandpa's health declined quickly and within a few short months, he passed away. He requested that half of his ashes remain in Canada, and half travel back to Stirling. I promised my grandpa that I would make it to Scotland very soon, so I could visit this place that was so special to him.

When he passed away, I knew that I had to travel to Scotland, and we did. For this reason alone, this trip holds a very special place in my heart.

Justin and I both instantly fell in love with Stirling. Even though we only spent one full day in Stirling (and two nights), we could easily see how we could call Stirling home, too.

Visit Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is undoubtedly one of the most famous tourist attractions in the entire region, and probably the most visited spot in Stirling. I was so excited to see Stirling Castle in person for the first time, and it certainly did not disappoint.

It's my very favorite castle in all of Scotland, even if I am a little biased since I love this city so much. Once you visit, I'm sure you will feel the same.

I won't go into too much thorough detail about the castle here, but I will say that you must venture into its various rooms to learn all about its history. We watched fascinating short movies about various aspects of the castle, including its architecture and statues.

There are many rooms inside the royal palace where you can transport yourself back in time to the lavish daily lives of the royalty in the 1500s. The royal chambers are magnificently decorated, and there might even be a few costumed interpreters around to set the scene.

The Great Hall is the largest banquet hall of its kind built in Scotland, completed in 1503 for James IV. It was used for parties, feasts, and dances.

There are two tall throne chairs for the king and the queen, and Justin and I couldn't resist getting our picture taken there.

The views of Stirling from the top of Stirling Castle are among the best in the city. You can catch glimpses of the entire city, as well as the cemetery below which is the final resting place for many of my family members.

In addition, there are also some gardens on the south side of the castle to check out, too.

While it was a very rainy day in April when we visited and this may have deterred some tourists from visiting, Stirling Castle can get very busy (especially on the weekends and during high tourist seasons).

If you don't have a car and you'd rather take a guided tour of Stirling Castle, I suggest booking this day tour from Edinburgh.

Rabbie's small group day tours are also fantastic. This one goes to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and the Kelpies.

The Wallace Monument

The National Wallace Monument is one of the most popular Stirling attractions, and usually the second most visited place in town, after Stirling Castle.

Many people visit Stirling specifically to see the Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, and then they leave.

That's totally fine, of course! However, I am going to urge you to stay longer in Stirling to see other places around town.

This monument is dedicated to Sir William Wallace, a patriot and guardian of Scotland. Even if you aren't too familiar with Scottish history, he's the key figure in one of the most popular movies about Scotland. I'm sure you remember him from Braveheart?

When you arrive, there is a welcome building with a cafe and a gift shop. Then, it's up to you whether you take the complimentary shuttle to the monument or walk up the hill to reach it.

From this viewpoint, you can see far off into the distance overlooking all of Stirling. However, the best view is from the top of the Wallace Monument!

After you climb a portion of the spiral staircase, you'll come across small museum exhibits.

These focus on William Wallace, the history of famous battles in Stirling, or famous figures throughout Scottish history. Some of these exhibits are quite interactive and fun.

When we finally reached the top, we soaked up the brilliant scenery of beautiful Stirling. The tower overlooks the site of Scotland's victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Absorb the views from multiple angles and if you're lucky, you might even spot a rainbow.

Explore Stirling's Old Town

If you are a regular reader of this blog, I'm sure you'll realize how much I simply enjoy walking around new places and exploring them on foot. Stirling is no exception.

One of my favorite things to do in Stirling is exploring its Old Town. Walk up and down the main streets in town, ducking your head into little shops along the way.

Stop for a coffee or a pint at any local establishment. There's so much history in these cobblestone streets. It's also possible to book a walking tour of Stirling if you'd prefer some local insights.

When my granny was a child, she used to live on King Street, right across from The Golden Lion hotel. I heard lots of stories about her childhood in this area.

So, I actually managed to find the building where she used to live in an apartment above a business. I snapped a photo for her so I could show her when I got home.

Cambuskenneth Abbey

Cambuskenneth Abbey is a fascinating historic site featuring the ruins of an old abbey, as well as a graveyard. It's free to enter and roam.

Cambuskenneth Abbey is supposed to be only open between 9:30am and 5:30pm. We were there well past 5:30pm and no one came to lock the gates, but be mindful of those times just in case.

Please note that it's closed from October to March, and it's only open April 1st to September 30th.

The abbey was founded in 1140 by King David I to serve Stirling Castle. Its surviving bell tower is an amazing example of architecture from the 1200s.

Feel free to wander inside the bell tower, too. The bell tower is unique in Scotland, and I didn't come across any other places quite like it.

I also love seeing plaques noting where the former structures used to be. Only the doorway of the old abbey church survives nowadays.

Much of Cambuskenneth Abbey didn't survive after falling into ruin in the 1500s. John Erskine, Earl of Mar, quarried many of the stones from the abbey and used them to build his town house near Stirling Castle.

It's speculated that the tower survived because it was a useful lookout tower.

Cambuskenneth Abbey is also the burial place of King James III and Queen Margaret of Denmark in the 1480s. The small cemetery is a very peaceful place and its quite fascinating to explore.

Cambuskenneth Abbey quickly became one of our favorite places to visit in Stirling. You can certainly fit it in on your Stirling day trip itinerary as it's not frequently visited and not too far off the beaten path.

If you're looking for what to do in Stirling and you seek something a little more unique than Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, consider going there for sure.

Old Town Cemetery

Cemeteries can be such fascinating places to visit, and Stirling's Old Town Cemetery is no exception. Depending on which way you walk up to Stirling Castle, you may walk right past it.

Walk through the Old Town Cemetery on your way up to Stirling Castle to experience a very peaceful and quiet meander between the city and the city's top attraction.

It's very much part of the historic landscape of Stirling and there are some very unique memorials here, too.

Old Town Cemetery is located between Church of the Holy Rude and Stirling Castle. It's possible to stop by the Church of the Holy Rude (meaning "Church of the Holy Cross"), a 15th century medieval church.

One of the most striking monuments at this graveyard is the Star Pyramid, dating back to 1863. It's dedicated to all who suffered martyrdom for civil and religious liberty in Scotland.

The King's Knot

When visiting Stirling Castle, you might notice an interesting grassy patch with a modeled mound down below at street level.

This is the King's Knot, below castle rock. While it's an interesting looking formation from up above, I recommend going there for one of the best views of Stirling Castle itself.

King's Knot was the royal pleasure ground where monarchs once took part in leisurely activities, like jousting, hunting, and hawking.

It's an octagonal stepped mound about three meters high. It was once part of the formal gardens of Stirling Castle, and the property was owned by the crown since the 1100s.

When we visited Stirling, it poured rain for most of the day. However, if you're lucky and it happens to be a relatively sunny day, you'll be able to enjoy views of Stirling Castle from here at sunset.

I recommend going to the castle during the day and coming down to the King's Knot as the sun begins to go down.

Visiting King's Knot is completely free. Park your car at the side of the road (Dumbarton Road) and walk up to the King's Knot.

It was a little muddy when we were there in April, plus it had rained for most of the day. If you'd like to view the castle towering high up on the hill, this is one of the top things to do in Stirling.

Visit a Local Pub in Stirling

Stirling has so many amazing pubs right in town. One of the best things to do in Stirling is sampling a pint of Tennent's at a local pub.

Justin and I actually met with my uncle for a pint (or two...or three?) at No 2 Baker Street, a Victorian pub with a classic British menu.

While we didn't have anything to eat at No 2 Baker Street, I did notice that there were a few vegan items on the menu. These are easy to spot as they're marked with a VG. I'd love to return to try the plant-based nuggets, pulled mushroom chili or the burger.

There are several local pubs in town with some better for tourists and others where the locals primarily gather. My uncle visits Stirling for at least 3-4 weeks a year, and this is his favorite spot.

There was another local pub he described (I didn't catch the name of it) where old local men meet every day.

While he said that he's friends with many of them through my grandpa and other relatives, he also said that we'd totally turn heads if we walked in there on our own.

My uncle thought it would be a pretty funny joke to invite us there for a pint, just to see everyone's initial reactions. I'm a little relieved that he didn't, I must say!

Even More Things to Do in Stirling

If you're looking for even more things to do in Stirling, here are even more recommendations that we didn't have the time to do. Even though I've visited Stirling twice now, there are still more things to check off my bucket list.

Check out the Battle of Bannockburn Visitor Centre to learn more about the famous Battle of Bannockburn through interactive exhibits. Follow in the footsteps of Robert the Bruce.

The Stirling Old Town Jail is another one of the top Stirling attractions that we didn't get around to seeing, but I've heard it's a lot of fun. Learn about the history of crime and punishment in Stirling, and there's also an observation deck with great views.

Best Restaurants in Stirling, Scotland

Aside from the pub I mentioned above, No 2 Baker Street, here are some notable restaurants in Stirling where I recommend dining during your visit. These are either vegan restaurants in Stirling or establishments with vegan options.

Nooch Bar and Kitchen

Nooch Bar and Kitchen is Stirling's first 100% vegan restaurant, bar and cafe. This is a place where anyone can taste wholesome and fresh foods, share delightful small plates, sip a cup of coffee or savor a glass of wine.

The menu is always changing depending on what's in season. We split an order of patatas bravas, and then ordered two main courses: the mac n cheese and a ramen bowl. It was delicious!

Some other options could include veggie haggis, Korean fried mushroom burger, Baja cauliflower tacos, onion bhajis, and a selection of desserts. There's something for every taste, gone completely plant-based.

Cafe Aina

Cafe Aina is an adorable cafe and restaurant in Stirling where you can find lots of vegan options on the menu. About half of the menu is vegan, and you'll find vegan versions of all your favorite dishes.

For breakfast, there's a full vegan breakfast, a vegan omelette, or a vegan breakfast roll. We visited Cafe Aina for lunchtime. They have tons of delightful veggie options, like souvlaki (tofu souvlaki or falafel souvlaki), burgers, sandwiches, and even vegan cake.

Justin ordered the Avocado, Pine Nuts, Mashed Olives & Vegan Cheese Panini, and I got the Falafel Burger. Both were so delicious and we were super impressed with our tasty homemade meals. If we only had room, we would have ordered dessert. Next time!

Mint Coffee Shop

After a day of sightseeing, one of my favorite things to do in Stirling was stop for a coffee break. We chose a little spot on the main street of Stirling's Old Town called Mint Coffee Shop.

The place features coffee and tea, as well as lots of treats like cake and candy. I was in search of some caffeine and ordered a rich and flavorful Americano. It's a cute spot in town, and not to be missed.

Where to Stay in Stirling

There are a wide variety of hotels, apartments and vacation rentals in Stirling to suit every budget. Browse the map below to find the best hotels in Stirling. Click on each property to compare and book your stay.