Stirling Castle

My personal favorite castle we saw on our trip to Scotland. It is majestic, regal and grand. The landscaping was amazing, and the castle itself was breathtaking. We arrived on a Tuesday around 4 pm. We purchased tickets online in advance, and we were even able to find parking close to the castle. It's definitely a must-see castle in Scotland! Highly recommend! 👑

An excellent castle full of history of Scotland. Free tours included in the admission price. Took me a while to really enjoy the castle. Includes an army museum too and a tapestry section. Really beautiful view too. Just gets a bit crowded. It's actually one of the best castles across UK. And unlike some castles like Warwick Castle, this was still a very affordable priced at £18.50, much cheaper than Tower of London too!

Hundreds of years of Scottish history in one place. Amazing views in all directions. Definitely worth a visit. Easily accessible from the train station. Book tickets in advance - lines can get quite long over the summer weekends.

We loved our trip to Stirling Castle! Lots of history here with the Battle of Stirling Bridge being local and the castle was used as a royal residence. The palace had beautifully reconstructed rooms occupied by James V and Mary Queen of Scots. They had excellent educational exhibits that were interactive. They also had lots of child friendly aspects. Many staff were dressed as people of the time for a bit of living history interaction. We stayed an hour and a half as we had another engagement, but we wish we could have stayed longer to explore.

I found the display of the Stirling Medallions (large oak portraits hung on the ceiling) really interesting. The recently renovated palace rooms where the king and queen lived are well worth the cost of admission. The reconstructed castle kitchen is also a highlight to visit. The flower garden was really pretty. Nice views from the castle walls. Too bad they had to reconstruct so much after the army left. All things considered, I would rate it higher to visit than nearby Edinburgh Castle, although both are a must for visitors interested in history.

This was our favorite castle We visited while in Scotland. It is really well done and the tour is excellent. It really allows you to see how the castle functioned and what life was like during that period. It’s overall very accessible and the views from the castle are fantastic. You would need to be comfortable doing some steps on occasion. Be sure to get there before 4 PM, which is the last guided tour of the day.

Stirling Castle was the first castle we visited in Scotland, and I have a strong feeling it will remain one of the highlights of our trip. It’s an ideal starting point for exploring the country — especially if you get the audio guide, which brings Scotland’s rich history to life in a captivating and informative way. This is far more than just a tour of an old building. You’ll encounter staff in period costumes sharing fascinating stories and vivid details about life in the castle centuries ago. It truly feels like stepping back in time. The experience is made even more memorable by the breathtaking views over the surrounding valley and the beautifully maintained gardens, bursting with a vibrant variety of flowers. An unforgettable visit — highly recommended!

Perhaps the best paid tourist attraction in Scotland—definitely the best I’ve been to so far. Put off coming for years because of the price tag, happy I finally but the bullet and came—great castle! so well preserved! Excellent staff in period costumes in each room explaining what you’re looking at and why it mattered. I spent 3 hours here, and could have spent significantly longer. Excellent job team!

We saw many a castle during our summer cruise of the United Kingdom. Stirling Castle in Scotland was one of the most impressive ones we visited. Wowza!! What a beautiful sight as you approach Stirling Castle from faraway. It sits atop Castle Rock and looks amazing!! So much history at Stirling Castle. You could spend all day here learning so much history of the castle and Scotland in general. Unfortunately, we only had a few hours to spare. We learned some history while exploring this incredible castle. The views of the land around and below the castle are beautiful! Stirling Castle is my personal favorite among all the castles we visited in Scotland. Probably because of how incredible it looks and all the history related to Stirling Castle and Scotland. Simply wonderful!

Lovely castle ! Go early at opening and you will feel like you the only people there ! A lot of it was recreated and "most likely looked like this" kind of visit Be sure to visit the great hall .. it was Christmas and they had an enormous fresh tree !!

Beautiful! Highly recommend getting here first this in the AM, it gets busy around 11. But zero line beforehand. It was fun to see Stirling Castle today after visiting Edinburgh Castle yesterday. Everyone in our group had a different "favorite".

Stunning Highland Views. View of the monument to William Wallace. Great tour guide loaded with historical information about the castle and its role in the reigns of the Stewart/Stuart dynasty. Actually sat in the chapel where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned - at 9 months of age. Too much history to fit into a Yelp review. I recommend the Stirling Castle website for more info.

Stirling Castle has been an important part of the Highlands and Lowlands historical heritage'. From the very high of a volcanic outcrop, this amazing castle guarded the lowest crossing point of the River Forth. Today, many Scotts view the castle as a great symbol of Scottish independence and national pride. Fans of the movies can visit Stirling Castle, the site of the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge, and the National Wallace Monument. You really can immerse yourself in the history of the rebellion, and discover the landscapes that served as the backdrop for Braveheart.

Loved everything about this castle! I have some mobility issues and it was pretty easily walkable. Some inclines and stairs but not too bad! I absolutely recommend this to anyone considering visiting. The surrounding area is lovely as well.

Stirling Castle, perched majestically on top Castle Hill, is evidence for Scotland's architectural evolution. Initially constructed in the 12th century, this fortress has undergone significant modifications through to the 1600s, resulting in a stunning unification of many architectural styles, including Romanesque, Renaissance, Gothic Revival, and Scottish Baronial architecture. The castle's Renaissance influences are evident in the splendid Royal Palace, built by James V. I thought I was in Rome. In contrast, the Gothic Revival elements are shown in the Great Hall, restored in the late 19th century. It has the typical soaring arches and medieval structures. The Scottish Baronial style is evident in the castle's defense walls and fortifications. There are many layers to explore here. I can tell why this castle is a treasured part of Scotland.

There are many castles to see and experience in Scotland, but Stirling Castle was our favorite. Since we had a rental car, it was not easy to navigate to the castle (very tight and twisting roads), even though it can be seen for miles around, and you will have to pay for parking upon arrival. We spent 3 hours at the castle, and paid for the recorded guide so we could go at our own pace. The performers in the castle make the experience very special, and are very friendly, answering all your questions while remaining in character. Be sure to take your time and walk the battlements to enjoy the incredible view of the Wallace Monument and the beautiful gardens on site. There is also a fantastic military exhibit in another building on the grounds that my husband really enjoyed. Since we arrived right at opening to get parking, we had lunch after our tour at the café on the grounds, that had great prices, food made on the premises, friendly service, and plenty of seating. We shared a sandwich and a piece of fabulous chocolate malted cake with coffee to end our visit.

Amazing castle. Russell our tour guide was so much fun! Prefer this castle over Edinburgh castle.

Incredible castle with so much wonderful history. Easy to self navigate with lots of signage to guide you. The gardens were especially beautiful

What a beautiful place! The castle had so many different places to explore. It also had several fun interactive areas for kids to explore. The gardens were beautiful and all the museums were very informative and compelling. We spent about 3 1/2 hours here, but we could have stayed even longer if we had time. There was a nice cafe, snack bar, and several gift shops.

This is one of the main attractions in Scotland and a wonderful historical site. It's really amazing to walk through a castle and to be able to see and imagine what life would have been like hundreds of years ago at this castle.

You won't find many castles as exquisitely maintained as the one overlooking the town of Stirling. Originally built sometime in the 12th century, most of the remaining buildings were rebuilt during the Renaissance years, but I'm sure centuries of additional preservation and restoration have been devoted to keeping this prominent palace looking as it would have centuries ago. At least externally. Within, you'll find a delicate balance of modern and medieval, walking a tightrope between accurately representing castle life, and presenting this information via both historical and modern context. There are several "galleries" within this living museum, some taking the form of dioramas depicting various functions of castle life. One that stands out in my mind, more than six years later, is the re-enactment/recreation of the great kitchens that operated here, keeping the nobility and peasantry alike fed and healthy. Others include a walkthrough of the private quarters of the aristocracy, complete with heraldic tapestries, suits of armor, and exquisite, ornate bedchambers large enough to host a banquet themselves! There's also the battlements, the dungeons, and the expansive grounds spread across the entirely of the rocky promontory, which include a massive cemetery (itself worth a tour of its own!), and the nearby Beheading Stone. Truly, any fan of medieval architecture will have no end of things to satisfy their interests and curiosities here. Absolutely worth the price of admission for fans of Scottish history, Middle Age enthusiasts, and D&D nerds (such as myself) alike!

Stirling Castle is a very historic castle which is fun to explore and learn about. You can wander through the castle grounds and check out the interior. The insides aren't all that memorable. But it was cool to learn more about Scottish history, plus you get great views of the surrounding area from the high castle terraces. Parking is available for a fee, though keep in mind driving up to the castle can be a pain with steep, narrow, windy roads and lots of traffic. Worth a stop if you're in the area.

Such a wonderful piece of history! Climbing steps and overlooking the valley where so many decisive battles occurred. Seeing well presented artifacts about Scotland's rich military and political history through the centuries was amazing. Was especially excited to see my family name show up repeatedly as officers through the many wars and battles where Scottish armies have engaged in war. So grateful for how well they have preserved this amazing castle.

I went to Stirling Castle during a tour on my way to Loch Lomond. This is a beautiful castle and we had a loving view of the countryside. They have free tours at the castle that is great if you want to know the history of the castle. If you have more than an hour, I would do the guided tour and then go and explore on your own. If you only have an hour, I would skip the free guided tour and go out on your own. You will not see everything if you do only the guided tour.

This is Scotland's most important Castle with its history beginning in the late 1200s. From that point on, there were many times when this castle changed hands - between the Scots and the English. One prominent victory was by Robert the Bruce, who has a statue located outside the main gate. In addition to the great history, you'll love the outdoor and indoor tours which are given by subject matter experts. Make sure to dress in layers or have a poncho - it can get blustery whilst outside. Inside, you'll see wonderful tapestry (unicorns are a big deal), woodwork, fireplaces - from floor to ceiling. I would take your time in each and every room. Finally, enjoy a sandwich and scones in the mini cafe - it's a lot of walking and climbing stairs so the break will be good. The views of the countryside are beautiful as well.

Fantastic place to visit as a family with little ones. Wonderful, engaging staff and plenty of interactive exhibits for children that allow the whole family to enjoy the history and stories of the castle.

Yelp 100 Challenge 2019 - # 67/100 Built around the early 12th century, Stirling Castle is on top of Castle Hill, on an old volcano overlooking old battlefields like Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn. Stirling Bridge is where William Wallace won over the English, that was in 1297. Then 17 years later in 1314 it was Robert the Bruce's turn in Bannockburn. They have a life-sized monument of Robert the Bruce outside the castle walls. The views from the castle were breathtaking. It is open 7 days a week, just be on the lookout for closures due to inclement weather. Fees are adults= £15; child= £9. I don't remember how much my friend paid for parking.

Beautiful castle. Great views. Friendly staff. Interactive areas. Plan at least 2 hours here. They do free tours every hour on the hour.

Stirling castle is by far the most authentic, most stunning castle I have visited so far. Stirling castle has stunning manicured grounds with beautiful plants and flowers and herbs, thistles and palm trees and stunning views of the Wallace monument. The inside was even more impressive, extravagant and elegant with velvet furnishings, four poster bed elaborate ceilings and even some original doors and fireplaces that have been there for hundreds of years! I loved the period actors too, they were amazing and added that extra little touch to the whole experience. Outstanding!

Stirling Castle is what I picture a true strategic defensive castle should look like. It sits atop a hill, which I learned soldiers have laid siege to it several times but it still is intact. As you walk around the grounds, they have cannons pointed outward. I could picture regal figures passing in and out of here on horseback and could imagine how full of life and people this castle once was. We learned that Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned here and that the castle served other important functions. It was the royal center of many kings of the past. One of my favorite parts about seeing this castle were the huge tapestries still on display inside. Some of the details are just stunning. Since I love history and I eat up all the details I thought the 15 pounds admission price was worth it. However, if you are already in castle overload and aren't much of a history buff then just seeing Edinburgh Castle is sufficient.

The castle is quite stunning from the outside and we enjoyed walking the courtyard and along the exterior walls. But the interior of most of the buildings was a bit disappointing. Many rooms, particularly the great hall and main building, were practically empty and what little furnishings we saw were replicas. We spent quite a bit of time walking around and admiring the architecture. One interesting exception was the kitchen where displays were presented with figures in period dress and different food were shown. We also enjoyed touring the tapestry room. We were told that Stirling Castle is a good alternative to the much grander Edinburgh Castle and I tend to agree. By the time we visited Stirling Castle, we were pretty much done with looking at castles, manors, palaces, cathedrals and ruins so this was a good size castle to end our visit. I wouldn't mind returning on a less rainy day and spending more time here. We ate lunch in the Unicorn Cafe and thankfully, we went early because the place really filled up quickly. Service is quite slow and tables are limited. There's a good selection of snacks, hot and cold plates and drinks.

Our tour was both educational and inspirational. Learning about centuries of Scottish history was worth the cost of admission snd the long walk up that hill

We went to Stirling Castle today, a bit later in the day due to late opening as a consequence of bad weather. We were notified well in advance though. First thing, check in. Don't forget your mobile. You'll need it to download the audio tour. The tour is a must to lead you past the highlights of the castle. Great in not only looks, but especially in history. A visit we'll worth doing. It took about 2 hours.

So much history here! This is a must visit castle in Scotland if you are intrigued with Scottish history. A lot of money and time has been spent to restore it to its former glory after years of it being used for military training and barracks. The views from the castle are beautiful. The guided tour is a great way to get acquainted with the castle grounds/buildings and learn about the castle's history. There is both a guided tour and an audio tour. The guided tour is free with your admission, so you could get the audio tour also and do both. I can't comment on the quality of the audio tour, but thought the guided tour was very informative and I like the ability to ask questions. However, you should keep in mind that your guide will have a Scottish accent, and for some they may be difficult to understand. If you are interested in exploring castles and history, you can easily spend more than 1/2 a day here. There are a couple of areas in the Castle with exhibits, which I walked through, but you could spend hours looking at the collections. And do not miss the replicas of the Unicorn Tapestries. The originals were part of this history of this Castle, but are now displayed at the Met in NY. I really lucked out with the weather. It's was sunny and beautiful, so it was nice just taking in the views from different areas of the castle grounds. And I got some great pictures!

Great area, small quaint town, everything is within walking distance. Fantastic Royal garden, great amount of history and artifacts in well preserved castle. Did not do guided tour, I think there was enough informational signs to get most of the history

Stirling Castle is stunning. We had rented a car during our visit so we drove to the castle on our last day in Scotland. There is a car park at the top near the castle entrance that costs 4 pounds. There is someone who sits near the entrance you can pay in cash, otherwise, when you go to purchase the castle tickets you can pay via card inside the shop. You simply show the person working the ticket as you pass by to the entrance. There was an area where kids could dress up in Christmas costumes with different hats and props. There were also swords, shields, and other items that would remind you of a castle. We didn't fit in the costumes, however, we still played around and took some pictures. There was a throne you could sit in as well. FUN! There are tours every hour which we would've loved to take part in, however, we were on a time limit and it was raining outside so we didn't opt to stand in the rain for long durations of time as curious about the castle and it's history as we were. The castle is grand. There are many different areas to see with explanations as you pass through them. Even though we didn't get to go on the tour, we still really enjoyed our experience. I can't add too much more since I don't have a ton of background it, but I will say something we learned that I wish we learned earlier in the trip is that Scotland offers an "Adventurers Pass" that you can purchase for certain durations of days which is one total price to visit all of the castles and a few other types of attractions. It would've been helpful to know that on our first castle visit! There is a cafe on sight as well as "toilets" aka restrooms. Audio tours cost more and are not included with the regular ticket price. We didn't know audio tours were an option until we were walking out and saw the return audio area. Dress warm and wear a rain jacket or bring an umbrella. Better yet maybe do all of the above.

Very well done renovations and displays designed for kids and adults. Free guided tours, but crowds quickly fill the small on-site restaurant (go early lunch). Ample outdoor seating to enjoy the vistas and sandwich with soup

Wow. The amount of beauty and detail that was put into this castle is astounding. The stonework, glass, wood carvings, views, gardens, etc. Everything about it is incredible. Definitely check this place out if you're in/near Sitrling or Edinburgh. Carson C. Visalia, California

Fabulous couple of hours! Best part is walking the castle walls - don't miss that! Great mixture of Scottish history, interesting architecture, and beautiful views. Staff very friendly, welcoming, and helpful. 50 minute guided tours at no additional charge start on the hour. Unicorn Cafe had surprisingly delicious food at reasonable cost. Cheddar and chutney baguette was excellent. Very good fruit scone, with pot of jam at no additional charge. Cheese scones were over salted. Highly recommend a stop here if you are in the general area. Well worth the time and cost.

I love this castle! Definitely worth a visit. Lots of the rooms are staged with replica furniture and decor. There are hosts in costumes who answer questions and share information. I particularly liked the tapestries.

Note: The views are SPECTACULAR all around the castle walls. This was probably my favorite castle to visit. While Edinburgh clearly is larger, more regal, this one just felt more like a real castle to me. Maybe given the scale, and the fact you can see some of the actual battle damage on it. Just walking up city to the castle takes you back in time. Great place to tour. Equally amazing are the views! You can almost walk the full perimeter of the castle and you will definitely want to. I loved the view down on the "knot" on the backside of the castle. You also get a great view of the town and hills in the distance. Definitely tour the rooms that are available. There is some original paint and design in some buildings, but most of it is redone to recreate how the original once looked. The intensity in color of the crests on the walls were impressive. There are also some actors dressed up who will give you great facts and random details, and are super patient with random questions. I recommended a visit here to many friends. It's a wonderful city and gorgeous castle.

This is a great castle with some great views. The building is really great and some great architecture. The staff were friendly and helpful. The history and displays well told.

If you have to decide what to visit between this and the Edinburgh castle, choose this and do not forget the audio guide or follow one of the tours. The experience will be a lot nicer. Schedule at least 3 hours to go through the castle if you like history like I do and 30 mins to visit the shop if you like shopping like I do Do not forget the Stirling town down below. Very pretty.

Truly spectacular. The incredible vistas from the walls almost outshine the castle itself, especially if you are lucky enough to visit on a clear, sunny day. Breathtaking. Despite combining buildings erected over a span of several centuries, Stirling Castle manages to display a more unified aesthetic than, say, Edinburgh Castle or the Tower of London. Highlights include the Royal Palace, built by James V in 1538 and known for its sculptural details; the Great Hall, the largest in Scotland; the unicorn tapestries; and the Castle Exhibition, a densely detailed presentation on the complex's history. The castle was a formidable defensive edifice as well as a luxurious court residence favored by the later Stewarts. Queen Mary was crowned here, and her son, James VI (later I of England) was baptized here. Historic Scotland administers this site, so you can get in for free if you purchased an Explorer Pass (but you still have to pay 2 for parking). You could easily spend two hours here; give it three to take in everything.

Although her Royal Heiress enjoyed her trip, it's not a stroller friendly area. Parents with little ones or wheelchair users may want to consider an alternative option. Otherwise, a must see! There are so many picturesque spots that they could spend weeks there.

We drove over to Stirling on our tour in Scotland. This is a huge castle and you can certainly spend a few hours on a tour.

I got a chance to visit this on March 5th of 2016, one of the 2 castles I was able to visit. We arrived late in the afternoon about an hour and a half before closing on a very cold afternoon. The wind blew hard through the queens courtyard, but It didn't stop me from admiring everything I could. I got to walk through the ancient walls, and hear the whispers of the past, and imagine what life was like back then. It was lovely to see the unicorn project, and interact with the Queen and King as the actors in the restored part of the Castle embraced their parts. This is a beautiful Castle, so much MORE than Edinburgh's, though not a Ruin as I expected. Do get the temporary membership if you're planning on visiting more than one or 2 of the historic places, you will save yourself money.

There is so much to see and DO here. You can spend a few hours easily. It is so surreal to walk where Mary Queen of Scots once was. Unicorn cafe was a healthy pick for lunch. The 15 pound price is well worth the information and attention to detail you ingest.

A classic Scotland castle with history galore.

Wow! We had a wonderful day trip from Glasgow (less than an hour's drive) to the Stirling Castle. We arrived just a few minutes before they opened so we were one of the first ones in so we were able to take some nice photos before the crowds on the tour buses arrived. The guided tour, included with admission, lasted almost an hour and was extremely interesting and informative. The castle grounds includes a garden, the old Kings quarters, a chapel, banquet room, and many other buildings and exhibits. If you an interest in Scotland's history, this place is a must!

I LOVE castles! I will travel all over the UK to visit one so Stirling castle was on my list to visit. If you're coming to Stirling just to visit the castle, the train isn't a bad mode of transportation. From Edinburgh Waverley station, it is just a 55 min train ride for about £9.50 return for an off peak ticket. The castle is about a 20 min walk from Stirling train station and allows you to pass through city centre. The castle is up in an extinct volcano so it's hard to miss. The view from the castle is AMAZING! You can see the Sir Wallace monument, mountain ranges, the city of Stirling and the lush Scottish landscape. On a clear day, you can definitely see forever! The entrance fee for the castle is about £14 for adults, unfortunately they don't give student discounts. The castle offer a free tour guide or you can just walk around and explore it. My friend and I decided to go for the tour, which was a great choice cause our guide was very knowledgable about the history of the castle. He shared information about the Kings and queens that use to live in the castle as well as the extensive battles that have occurred. He was an amazing story teller, full of passion and animation... Truly a great to hear the history of the castle while walking around. You can visit the King's apartment, queens apartment, Royal chapel, and the great hall. You can also see other rooms and exhibits around the castle as well such as the great kitchen. The main negative isay about this castle is the limited amount of furnishings that were a part of the castle which is understandable. It's not like Hampton court where there's tons of original furnishings and paintings. This castle is fun to visit, and most certainly a must-visit especially if you're in Scotland cause of its important role in history. However, it's a bit limited with the exhibit they offer and don't have much original furnishings and art work that use to exist when kings and queens lived here.

I must admit that I did like Stirling castle more than Edinburgh castle. The castle area is very big and has lots of secrets to discover. Lots of buildings and halls witch have a very good discription of what they have been and also actors are playing their role very good! I loved the atmosphere !

A way cool place to go, with lots to see! Lots of corridors and passage ways...prepare to walk!! This castle is more secluded and isolated than Edinburgh Castle. Here is a little secret for those travelling with a family, purchase a 5-day explorer pass for 50 pounds (around $71 US dollars) and this will allow you to get into a plethora places throughout Scotland at no additional cost. In fact, if you purchase the family explorer pass, you actually save money on the regular price admission ticket...its a win-win!

Nice castle and I've been to several. The reason I gave it high stars? Not overcrowded like the one I've been to in other places. Don't expect it to have a bunch of furnished rooms like Blair Castle, Cawdor or Edinburgh Castle. Most of the areas are empty, but that's a good thing for me. It is a bit overpriced, but it's worth a visit if you are taking pictures. The view up there is beautiful, and you can even see the William Wallace Monument from a distance. The staff members are dressed in costume telling the story of Mary Queen of Scots. Lots of photo opportunities since it's not crowded. A nice visit to the pub below the castle is a must! There's a creepy looking statue in there.

We decided to take the 1 hour train ride to Stirling from Edinburgh. Really worth it! it was a perfect one day trip through Scottish countryside and into the small town of Stirling. Unlike Edinburgh castle, many parts of the Stirling castle have been refurbished to their original so one can truly imagine what these castles were like at the height of their glory. btw: there is a multi-castle ticket available that would have saved us, but we didn't learn about in time.

We were at Stirling Castle on a super-rainy morning & even so, couldn't say this was a 5-star experience The Palace was closed off for remodelling so we could only enter the Chapel, the Great Hall & the Regimental Museum The Chapel & Great Hall were huge open rooms, where more renovations were going on so we mainly saw empty rooms - no furniture or decorations. Bummer! Really wish there was an easier way to find out when tourist sites are under major renovations so we could have planned our visits better.... we didn't go onto individual sites before we went so I guess shame on us But aside from that, the grounds were beautiful, very nice scenery of the surrounding town. I bet it would be something really spectacular when all the renovations are done - supposed to be sometime around summer 2011

I was staying in Glasgow for a week and I made a trip up to Stirling to see the castle and the area. I was surprised how well everything is kept up. There weren't many people there, either, at least when I went, so I was able to view the displays without being interrupted very often. It was interesting to see the full sets of armor and all of the unicorns painted onto the walls. I had no idea that unicorns had such a large role in old Scottish history until I visited the castle. It wasn't as big as Edinburgh Castle, but there's enough in the castle to warrant a trip out to see it.