Stirling Castle

About this place

Historic castle with interactive exhibits and panoramic views.

Stirling Castle crowns a volcanic crag above the River Forth, and for centuries it was the favoured residence of the Stewart kings and queens - Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned here as an infant. The restored Great Hall, with its lime-washed gold walls, and the Royal Palace, hung with recreated tapestries and carved Stirling Heads, give a real sense of Renaissance court life, while the kitchens exhibit shows how a royal household was fed. Interactive displays help bring the history to life for families, and the battlements offer sweeping views over the Wallace Monument, the Ochil Hills and the winding Forth below. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland, it gets busy in summer, so an early visit helps.

Make a day of it — within 5km