Stirling Castle

Historic Scotland have spent a lot of money and effort on renovating the castle and it really works.  

Based on historical and archaeological sources, the Chapel, state bedrooms, Great Hall and other rooms have been returned to their Renaissance heyday appearance.  The tapestries, painted walls and carvings help modern visitors really understand the significance of the castle as a focus of wealth and power.  And although I'm always in two-minds about costumed interpreters, the actors on the day I visited were very entertaining and well informed (not at all disney!).  The other room guides were also excellent, happy to chat and tell the stories behind the material on display: (http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/home/experience/palaceproject/palaceheads.htm  - those Stirling Heads nearly ended up on a soldiers' bonfire!).

Stirling Castle is a fun site and definitely geared towards families and young audiences.  There are dedicated touch-and-explore spaces, free tours, and interactive games.  However, my one gripe is about this aspect; as these areas are obviously put to the test by hundreds of children every week, I think more could be done to ensure there were no broken or incomplete interactives: The entrance fee is a wee bitty expensive so having to explain away missing game pieces to a small child is disappointing.

If you visit, do allow yourself time to walk around the Old Town as there are so many interesting sites to explore.  But wear sensible shoes - it's hilly!

Full of history and well worth a visit. Robert the Bruce, William Wallace - need I say more?

One of my favorite castles, thanks to its stunning location, energetic and entertaining tour-guides, moving Highland Regiment museum and awe-inspiring tapestry studio.

Avoid school holidays and try to join one of Brian Gibson's tours!

Please be aware that the palace (the main part of the castle) is currently closed for refurbishment. That isn't made clear when you pay for your (expensive) tickets. Until it re-opens I wouldn't recommend a visit.

the views all around are wonderful you can see for miles especially on a clear and sunny day, can see why they built the castle there. good day out for family

My ten year old (English) daughter loves this place. I think She has an interest in her Scottish roots and the history that seems to ooze from the walls of the castle really does inspire you. If you are visiting Scotland, or indeed are lucky enough to live there, you really must bring your children here. It is quite an expensive day out for a big family but well worth it.

This place is well worth a visit Its histroic scotland so free to its member and english heritage members. Parking is just outside the castle though we parked a few streets away and walked up as there was no parking spaces at the castle itself as it gets pretty busy
It has some really interesting sites here. There is a place inside where they complete tapestries
The views from the battlements of the surronding area are fantastic The kitchens are set out as you would have seen them in medival days with books of recipes and infromation set up the chapel royal which has some exhibit of paintings on when we went
There is an interesting regimental musuem in the kings old building which has display of solidering in the regiment through the ages with some great swords and things that would have been taken into battle.
The great hall is wonderully displayed and you can imagine a great banquet going on there with the king at the head of the tables
The palace is great with kings and queens lodings there was a guided tour when we went but I think this part is currently closed
The cafe here was pretty expensive for what you got. There is a nice whiskey shop which had a sale on when we went so some bargain whiskey to be had

It’s pricey, (unless you live within the boudaries of old stirling city, then it’s free), but I still love Stirling Castle. The great hall’s my favourite, and hopefully when they get round to restoring the rest of the place, it’ll be just as fantastic.
A good day out for all the family.

although i quite enjoyed the guided tour around the castle ( i quite enjoy a bit of local history), but i had taken my 2 grand kids who are aged 5 and 6. they found it rather boring. the only part they enjoyed was running around playing in the gardens (which were immaculately kept), the gift shop (for obvious reasons) and getting their pictures taken in the big fancy chairs in the dining room (they looked like royalty sat in them). we went on a day that had free entry, so i wasn’t too upset that the kids didn’t have a great time. the gift shop was surprisingly reasonably priced, well most of it anyway. i would like to take them back again but i’ll have to wait till they are a bit older and appreciate it more.

you get an amazing view from up there. definitely worth a visit but not with small children.

I always wondered why they had painted a part of Stirling castle yellow, to me is just didn’t make sense. That is until I visited what I now know to be the Great Hall and I found out that the colour it was painted is as close a replica they could get to the original colour as possible. They matched it from fragments they found when doing restoration work.

A great day out for locals, visitors and tourists alike. Enjoy a guided tour and fantastic views from high atop Stirling.

Entry is a little prices but you can get a combined ticket for the castle and the jail which is more cost effective.

No visit to Stirling is complete without a visit to Stirling Castle. I might be biased being a local but it is far superior to Edinburgh castle. The Castle was the residence for many of the Scottish Kings right up until James VI (I of England). Mary Queen of Scots was crowned in the Castle and her son James VI was baptised in the Chapel Royal. The Chapel Royal is currently closed because it is being done up in the same way that the kitchens have been - it will show what it was like in days gone by. The kitchens have been refurbished in recent years and now show what it would have been like when the kitchen was full of staff and in 'full flow’ cooking for the royals and their guests. There are many areas of the Castle to visit and a great day can be spent exploring them. There are picnic areas in various spots throughout the Castle so you can sit and eat your own picnic at them. There is also a cafe which for a tourist place is reasonably priced. You can wander the Castle at your own pace or you can join one of the free guided tours. There is also a children’s trail and an audio guide is also available (sure this audio is available in different languages). The guided tours are great and the guides have a very good knowledge of the Castle and it’s history. The gift shop sells a variety of souveniers, gifts, whisky and other Scottish goods. The prices are fairly reasonable. The Castle is also home to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum. A visit to this is a must and it is interesting to see the history of the marvellous regiment. Please note however that due to it’s location some parts of the Castle are not accessible for people with walking difficulties or in a wheelchair.

Stirling castle offers a great day out for the family, there is a ghost walk which is scary and also very fun. The gift shop has some nice gifts but is maybe slightly over priced. The museum in the castle is very nice and interesting, The castle is also used for charity dinners and also been known to host concerts in the castle grounds providing a stunnig backdrop.

stirling castle was the site of the coronation of mary queen of scots in 1543 after she had spent most of her childhood in this perfect castle atop an extinct volcano in central scotland
- first used in the 11th century to ward off invaders due to its commanding/strategic position
apart from being a royal home/castle the site is also the regimental hq/barracks of the famous argyll + sutherland highlanders - the 'thin red line’ which repelled the russians at the crimean war
it has witnessed much of scotland’s royal history - being a favourite residence of the stuart kings
drive all the way up castle hill and park on the castle esplanade … alternative is a long walk up from the station :(

The castle is a must visit. It houses the museum of the Argyll and Sutherland highlanders one of Scotlands greatest regiments. Entry to the museum is included in your caslte enterance fees. The great hall was recently renovated and houses a replica of the throne of scotland, rather plain though. The castle is steeped in history and it is from here that Robert the Bruce led the scots to victory at nearby Bannockburn. Lots to see and do, well worth a visit.

The highlight of the castle are the recreation of the kitchens, with lifelike figures and fascinating dishes from the time as well as the social history of what it was actually like to work in the kitchens. A hard life indeed! The castle also puts on lots of medieval dispays over the summer period. The great hall has been beautifully restored inside and the outside painted to the colour it originallly would have been and the bright yellow can be seen from miles away. A great family day out and one for the history buffs too.

Great day out for all the family. Currently undergoing a little restoration work, but this doesn’t deter from the history and mejesty of the castle. Friendly visitor centre to buy a little souvenier. Castle is easily accessible by car or shuttle bus, but as it is situated at one of the highest points in Stirling, some people will find it difficult to walk to, but the more energetic my enjoy this. Beautiful views over the historic land around Stirling, and beautiful gardens to visit.

Great historical place to visit. Must check out the cells beneath. The art museum adjoining is very good for families to enjoy. Great views over Stirling and beyond. Good value for money. Mind make sure you dont get there too late in the day as you need a lot of time to round everything.
Great family day out.

Must see.

This castle gives you amazing views over the city and is much the same layout as Edinburgh castle. However they have done up some of the buildings and to me it has taken away some of the charm of the rooms. One room has been turned into a room suitable for wedding receptions and I think this has taken away from the charm of the place. Also while I was there they were doing up another part of the castle which I really wanted to go into. For me Stirling castle doesn’t fit into my view of how castles should be it is very spread out but it is still very interesting and worth a visit.

Magnificient vantage point right in the heart of Scotland. The old streets in Stirling crawl their way up towards the stunning Castle. A brilliant day out for anyone,yes it does take a day to fully explore. Amazing views in all directions aslo.

On the day we visited the Palace was shut and is due to be shut for a while whilst they upgrade/repair the inside.

a good trip to make, good to see some history of the city!