Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is the grandest of Scotland's castles and one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country. An icon of Scottish and Stirling heritage, this infamous castle should be part of your UK sightseeing tour with the Great British Heritage Pass.

Positioned 250 feet above the plain on an extinct volcano, Stirling Castle became the strategic military key to the kingdom during the 13th and 14th Century Wars of Independence, and was the favourite royal residence of many of the Stuart Monarchs.

Stirling Castle towers over some of the most important battlefields of Scotland’s past including Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace’s victory over the English in 1297, and Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce defeated the same foe in the summer of 1314.

Converted to a four storey military barracks in the 19th Century, the Great Hall at Stirling Castle has recently been restored to its medieval glory and was formally reopened by the Queen on St Andrews Day, 1999.

The restored Hall has been given an oak hammerbeam roof, restored wall walks, leadlight windows and interior galleries. When the scaffolding came down, the color and finish of the hall was the subject of some fierce controversy. Many believed that the building had been over-decorated. It was eventually accepted that this is how the original building would have looked and it is now a widely admired addition to the Stirling skyline.

Visitors to Stirling Castle will enjoy excellent historical displays, a recreation of the 16th century kitchens with sensory and interactive exhibits and the Regimental Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, which details their eventful history from 1794 to the present.

Planning your visit to Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is open all year round except for December 25 and 26. From March 25 until September 30 the castle opens from 9.30 until 18.00 (last entry at 17.15). From October 1 until March 24 it opens from 9.30 until 17.00 (last entry 16.15).