Things to do in Stirling Region
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Stirling Castle
Hold Stirling and you control Scotland. This maxim has ensured that a fortress of some kind has existed here since prehistoric times. Commanding superb views, you cannot help drawing parallels with Edinburgh castle – but many find Stirling's fortress more atmospheric; the location, architecture and historical significance combine to make it a grand and memorable sight. This means it draws plenty of visitors, so it's advisable to visit in the afternoon; many tourists come on day-trips from Edinburgh or Glasgow, so you may have the castle to yourself by about 4pm.
Admission costs for the castle will rise once the Royal Palace opens. The mooted price was £14 for adults, whi…
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National Wallace Monument
Towering over Scotland’s narrow waist, this nationalist memorial is so Victorian Gothic it deserves circling bats and ravens. It commemorates the bid for Scottish independence depicted in the film Braveheart. From the tourist office, walk or shuttle-bus up the hill to the building itself. Once there, break the climb up the narrow staircase inside to admire Wallace’s 66 inches of broadsword and see the man himself re-created in a 3-D audiovisual display. More staid is the marble pantheon of lugubrious Scottish heroes, but the view from the top over the flat, green gorgeousness of the Forth Valley, including the site of Wallace’s 1297 victory over the English at Stirling …
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Castle Campbell
Charming Dollar is about 11 miles east of Stirling in the lower Ochil Hills. Castle Campbell is a 20-minute walk up Dollar Glen, into the wooded hills above the town. It’s a spooky old stronghold of the Dukes of Argyll and stands between two ravines; you can clearly see why it was known as ‘Castle Gloom’. There’s been a fortress of some kind on this site from the 11th century, but the present structure dates from the 15th century. The castle was sacked by Cromwell in 1654, but the tower is well preserved. From the little car park near the castle there’s a great ramble with sweeping views over Castle Campbell and the surrounding country.
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Museum of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders
In the King’s Old Building is the Museum of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, which traces the history of this famous regiment from 1794 to the present day. It has a great collection of ornately decorated dirks (daggers). In another part of the castle, the Great Kitchens are especially interesting, bringing to life the bustle and scale of the enterprise of cooking for the King. Near the entrance, the Castle Exhibition gives good background information on the Stuart kings and updates on current archaeological investigations
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Sir Walter Scott Steamship
There’s an excellent 20-mile circular cycle route that links up with the Sir Walter Scott Steamship along Loch Katrine. Following the southern shore of Loch Achray, you reach the pier on Loch Katrine; departures are at 10.30am daily April to October, as well as afternoon departures at 2.30pm on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. The ferry should drop you at Stronachlachar (adult/child one way £6/4.50) at the western end. From Stronachlachar, follow the B829 via Loch Ard to Aberfoyle.
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Mhor Fish
Both chip shop and fish restaurant, but wholly different, this endearing black-and-white-tiled cafe displays the day's fresh catch. You can choose how you want it cooked, whether pan-seared and accompanied by one of many good wines, or fried and wrapped in paper with chips to take away. The fish and seafood comes from sustainable stock, and includes oysters and other goodies. If they run out of fresh fish, they shut, so opening hours can be a bit variable.
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Wallace Monument
Two and a half miles north of Stirling is Scotland’s impressive Victorian monument to Sir William Wallace, who was hung, drawn and quartered by the English in 1305. The view from the top, of no less than seven battlegrounds, is as breathtaking as the 67m climb up to it. The monument contains interesting displays, including a parade of other Scottish heroes and Wallace’s mighty two-handed sword. Clearly, the man was no weakling.
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Hermann’s
Solidly set on a corner above the Mercat Cross and below the castle, this elegant Scottish-Austrian restaurant is a reliable and popular choice. The solid, conservative decor is weirdly offset by magazine-style skiing photos, but the food doesn’t miss a beat and ranges from Scottish favourites to gourmet schnitzel and spätzle noodles. Vegetarian options are good, and quality Austrian wines provide an out-of-the-ordinary accompaniment.
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Callander Meadows
Informal but smart, this well-loved restaurant in the centre of Callander occupies the two front rooms of a house on the main street. There's a contemporary flair for presentation and unusual flavour combinations, but a solidly British base underpins the cuisine, with things like mackerel, red cabbage, salmon and duck making regular and welcome appearances. It's also open on Mondays from April to September, and Wednesdays too in high summer.
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Aura
Aura is an interesting mix – American deli by day dishing out giant sandwiches, and wine bar and restaurant day and night. Muted tones entice diners into its soft, relaxing environment, ideal for a wonderful meal. The early evening dinner special means small mains are only £7, including Moroccan beef or mussels in garlic sauce. There’s plenty for vegetarians, too. On our visit the amateurish service was a letdown.
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Breadalbane Folklore Centre
The Breadalbane Folklore Centre is in an old water mill overlooking the falls. There is an audiovisual presentation about St Fillan, a local saint whose religious teachings are said to have helped unite the ancient kingdoms of the Scots and the Picts in the 8th century. There are displays about local and clan history, including the MacGregors and MacNabs. The centre also houses the tourist office.
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East India Company
This basement Indian restaurant is one of the best spots in Central Scotland for a curry. Sumptuously decorated to resemble a ship’s stateroom, with portraits of tea barons on the wall to conjure images of the days of the clippers, it offers exquisite dishes from all parts of India. There’s a buffet dinner available Monday to Thursday (£8.95), but go à la carte and savour the toothsome flavours.
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Stirling Castle & Argyll’s Lodging
Hold Stirling and you control the whole country. This simple strategy has ensured that a castle has existed here since prehistoric times. The superb views it commands mean you cannot help drawing parallels with Edinburgh Castle – but Stirling is better. Location, architecture and historical significance combine to make it one of the grandest of all Scottish castles.
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Lade Inn
Callander's best pub isn't in Callander − it's a mile north of town. It does decent, large and popular bar meals, doesn't mind kids, and pulls a good pint (the real ales here are brewed to a house recipe). Next door, the owners run a shop with a dazzling selection of Scottish beers. There's low-key live music here at weekends too, but it shuts early if it's quiet midweek.
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Inchmahome Priory
From the Lake of Menteith (called lake not loch due to a mistranslation from Gaelic) a ferry takes visitors to the substantial ruins of Inchmahome Priory. Mary, Queen of Scots was kept safe here as a child during Henry VIII’s ‘Rough Wooing’. Henry attacked Stirling trying to force Mary to marry his son in order to unite the kingdoms.
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Dunblane Cathedral
Fabulous Dunblane Cathedral is well worth a detour. It’s a superb, elegant sandstone building – a fine example of Gothic style. The lower parts of the walls date from Norman times, the rest mainly from the 13th to 15th centuries. A 10th-century carved Celtic stone is at the nave’s head, and a standing stone commemorates the town’s slain children.
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Portcullis
Built in stone as solid as the castle that it stands below, this former school is just the spot for a pint and a pub lunch after your visit. With bar meals that would have had even William Wallace loosening his belt a couple of notches, a little beer garden, and a cosy buzz indoors, it’s well worth a visit; there are also rooms here (single/double £67/87).
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Argyll's Lodging
Complete with turrets, spectacular Argyll's Lodging is the most impressive 17th-century town house in Scotland and you'll find it by the castle, at the top of Castle Wynd. It's the former home of William Alexander, Earl of Stirling and noted literary figure. It has been tastefully restored and gives an insight into lavish, 17th-century aristocratic life.
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Forth Inn
In the middle of the village, the solid Forth Inn seems to be the lifeblood of the town, with locals and visitors alike queuing up for good, honest pub fare. The tasty bar meals are the best in town. It also provides accommodation and beer, with drinkers spilling outside into the sunny courtyard. Single/double rooms are available for £50/80, but they can be noisy at weekends.
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Cafe Circa Doune
Worth the 6 mile drive/cycle from Callander (towards Doune) along the A84, this place, at the Scottish Antiques and Arts Centre, is gaining a reputation for fine Scottish dining using local produce and a touch of creativity. Try the roast loin or Rannoch Moor pork. Refined dining, it would suit couples or small groups.
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Darnley Coffee House
Just down the hill from the castle, beyond the end of Broad St, Darnley Coffee House is a good pit stop for home baking and speciality coffees during a walk around the Old Town. The building is a historic 16th-century house where Darnley, lover and later husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, once stayed while visiting her.
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Church of the Holy Rude
The Church of the Holy Rude has been the town’s parish church for 600 years and James VI was crowned here in 1567. The nave and tower date from 1456, and the church has one of the few surviving medieval open-timber roofs. Stunning stained-glass windows and huge stone pillars create a powerful effect.
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Barnton Bar & Bistro
Opposite the post office, this is a very popular, grungy hang-out serving excellent all-day breakfasts, chilli, homemade lasagne and burgers. It is a great place to eat or drink, and there’s something on most weeknights, including a Friday night disco. Good options for vegetarians, too.
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Bannockburn Heritage Centre
At Bannockburn Heritage Centre the history pre- and post-battle is lucidly explained. The audiovisual could do with a remake, but there’s lots to do for kids, and an intriguing recreation of Bruce’s face which suggests that he may have suffered from leprosy in later life.
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Green Welly Stop
The Green Welly Stop is a shrine to tourism. This little shopping complex has a very good (if slightly pricey) outdoor store, ideal if you’re looking for supplies before you grapple with your Munro. It’s also a good fuel stop, with hot meals served all day.
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