Stirling Castle
Scotland'S Grandest Renaissance Castle, On A Rock At The Gateway To The Highlands, A Favourite Residence Of The Stewart Kings And Queens, With The Restored Great Hall And A Palace With Painted Ceilings And Tapestries. Close To The Battlefields Of Stirling Bridge And Bannockburn And The National Wallace Monument · Stirling, Scotland
Stirling Castle stands on a volcanic crag above the old town, and for centuries whoever held it held the gateway between the Lowlands and the Highlands. Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned here in 1543, and James V and James VI built the Renaissance palace that visitors walk through today. The Great Hall is painted its original pale yellow, the Royal Palace has re-woven tapestries and the carved oak Stirling Heads, and the Chapel Royal and working kitchens fill in the picture of court life. From the ramparts you see the Wallace Monument and the Bannockburn battlefield. It is run by Historic Environment Scotland, so tickets are not cheap, but the interiors are well restored and the guides are good. The climb up from the station through the old town is steep, the castle is exposed to wind and rain, and it gets crowded with tour groups from late morning in summer. Edinburgh Castle is bigger and better known, but many people find Stirling calmer and better value.
Castle Wynd, Stirling, on a volcanic rock above the old town, about 60 km north-west of Edinburgh, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
The castle is open every day of the year apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day, with longer hours in summer and shorter ones in winter. Last entry is commonly about an hour before closing, and the palace rooms can close early for events - confirm times for your date. Guided tours run through the day at set times and are included in the ticket. Walking up through the old town, looking at the outside of the castle from the esplanade and the Church of the Holy Rude below are FREE at any hour. The Great Hall, Royal Palace, Chapel Royal and kitchens all need a ticket and are CLOSED when the castle shuts. Confirm hours and prices on the Historic Environment Scotland site before you travel.