Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire is an area brimming with natural beauty. The county is located in the middle of Scotland, with Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and Fife to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the west.
Geographically, Stirlingshire is part of the Scottish Lowlands which is characterised by rolling hills, winding rivers, and rich farmland, all framed by the Ochil Hills to the east and the Campsie Fells to the west. Stirlingshire also falls within the catchment of two major rivers, the Forth and the Teith, which have played a significant role in shaping the region’s landscape and history.
Stirlingshire is home to settlements of many sizes, the largest and most significant being Stirling, which was at one time the ancient capital of Scotland. Stirling is a vibrant city that’s best known for its imposing castle, but it also has many other attractions that are worth visiting such as the National Wallace Monument and the Old Town Jail. Other important towns include Bridge of Allan, a picturesque former spa town, and Dunblane, home to a magnificent cathedral and known for its beautiful Victorian architecture.
In terms of tourist attractions, Stirlingshire offers a wealth of options for the discerning traveller. Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, is a must-visit. The castle offers stunning panoramic views and houses a collection of artworks and exhibitions including the Stirling Heads Gallery which is a collection of metre-wide intricate wooden carvings that date from the 16th century.
The National Wallace Monument, a tribute to Scotland’s national hero, William Wallace, is another major attraction. During a visit, visitors can climb a 246-step spiral staircase for a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape before following an attractive woodland footpath and enjoying food and drinks in the on-site visitor centre.
The region’s natural beauty is perhaps best showcased in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park which stretches across the western part of Stirlingshire and offers numerous outdoor activities from leisurely walks to adventurous mountain hikes – the pick of which has to be the magnificent Ben Lomond, one of Scotland’s most popular Munros.
For those interested in Scottish history, the Bannockburn Visitor Centre provides an immersive experience of the famous Battle of Bannockburn, while for those visitors who love wildlife, Blair Drummond Safari Park offers the chance to see over 300 animals on a drive-through safari adventure.
Stirlingshire’s charming villages also attract tens of thousands of tourists each year. Doune, best known for Doune Castle (featured in the TV series ‘Outlander’ and the film ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’), is a highlight, as is Aberfoyle, AKA the ‘Gateway to the Trossachs’, which is home to the largest Go Ape adventure course in Britain.
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Ben Ledi Visitor Guide
Ben Ledi is an 879-metre high mountain in the lower Scottish Highlands. It can be found 5 miles north-west of the popular country village of Callander in the Trossachs National Park. The Trossachs are famous not just for their mountain ranges but also for their lochs which include the mighty Loch Lomond – one of…
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Blair Drummond Safari Park Visitor Guide
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park is Scotland’s only safari park. The family-friendly attraction is home to over 350 animals, many of which are free to roam the 120-acre estate. Visitors can enjoy a drive through several animal enclosures before entering a large animal-themed adventure park.
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Bracklinn Falls Visitor Guide
The Bracklinn Falls are a series of waterfalls situated within thick woodland near Callander in Central Scotland. Visitors to the site can follow a popular walking trail that follows the Keltie Water which offers close-up views of the falls. Discover the Bracklinn Falls with this complete visitor guide.
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Burncrooks Reservoir Visitor Guide
Burncrooks reservoir is a man-made body of water that offers a picturesque walk as part of the John Muir Way between Balloch and Strathblane. There is a rough track that circles the reservoir and visitors can easily deviate onto single-track roads that cut through woodland alongside other bodies of water.
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Devil’s Pulpit & Finnich Glen Visitor Guide
The Devil’s Pulpit is a deep sandstone gorge hidden amongst the woodland and rolling fields of Finnich Glen, around 14 miles north of Glasgow. This geological curiosity earned its name from an unusual rock outcrop that legend says was the site of sermons given by the devil, perhaps inspired by the fact that the swirling…
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Doune Castle Visitor Guide
The medieval Doune Castle is one of the best-preserved curtain wall fortresses in Scotland. It has been made famous for its use in films including Outlander, Game of Thrones and Monty Python. Discover what it’s like to visit this famous historic attraction with this guide which includes an overview and handy visiting tips.
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Glen Ogle Visitor Guide
Glen Ogle lies in a particularly scenic area of Stirlingshire, 2 miles northwest of the village of Lochearnhead. The Glen is a popular tourist destination thanks to the Sustrans Route 7 which offers a superb cycle and walking route through the glen, where stunning views are on offer from Loch Earn to the Glen Ogle…
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Inchmahome Priory Visitor Guide
Inchmahome Priory is a ruined monastic sanctuary located in an idyllic setting on an island in the lake at Port of Menteith, Stirlingshire. The historic attraction is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and is open to the public for self-guided tours. Discover Inchmahome Priory with this complete visitor guide.
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Loch Katrine Visitor Guide
Loch Katrine is a freshwater loch situated in the heart of the Trossachs national park within the county of Perthshire. This famous body of water is 8 miles long and 1 mile wide, and in addition to being a popular destination for local day-trippers it is frequently visited by tourists due to its wide range…
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Stirling Castle Visitor Guide
Stirling Castle sits on top of Castle Hill in the historic city of Stirling where it has served as both a military fort and royal palace for over 900 years. Today, it is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and features guided and self-guided tours. Discover Stirling Castle with this article which includes an overview, visiting…
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The Best Things to Do in Stirlingshire for Families
Located in the middle of Scotland, Stirlingshire provides a wide variety of fun things to do for the whole family. From the historic Stirling Castle to the peaceful Trossachs National Park, this amazing county has plenty to offer all ages. In this article, you’ll discover the best family-friendly activities in Stirlingshire, from visiting ancient castles…
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The Falkirk Wheel Visitor Guide
The Falkirk Wheel is situated 23 miles from Edinburgh and Glasgow. As the world’s only rotating boat lift it has become a popular tourist attraction since opening in 2002. The wheel lifts boats 115 feet into the air between Scotland’s Forth & Clyde and Union canals and visitors can experience it in action on a…
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The Kelpies Visitor Guide
The Kelpies are two 30-metre steel sculptures of horse heads that stand in a custom-built extension of the Forth and Clyde canal near Falkirk. The sculptures are based on Clydesdale horses that were used extensively for heavy farming and industrial work in the 18th and 19th centuries, but they also represent water kelpies, which are…
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The National Wallace Monument Visitor Guide
For over 150 years The National Wallace Monument has fascinated visitors with its exhibits that tell the story of Sir William Wallace. The monument is situated on a hill overlooking Stirling and stunning views of the surrounding countryside can be seen from the top-level viewing platform. Inside the monument are a series of rooms that…
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