| Known as the "gateway to the Highlands," | | | | For some fantastical and supernatural |
| Stirling is Scotland'syoungest city, yet also | | | | entertainment, the Doon Hill |
| steeped in some of the country's most | | | | |
| colourfuland glorious history. Situated on | | | | Fairy Walk is a must for a guide led walk |
| the River Forth, 40 minutes from | | | | exploring local legends of |
| | | | |
| Glasgow and 50 minutes from Edinburgh, the | | | | Fae folk, or for the brave, the Ghostwalk |
| city enjoys breathtakingviews of the | | | | with Jock Rankine's Spirit |
| Highlands, Loch Katrine, the inspiration for | | | | |
| William | | | | Guide meets at the Stirling Town Hall. |
| | | | |
| Blake's The Lady of the Lake, Campsie Fells, | | | | Food & Drink: |
| and the Highlands' largestloch, Loch Lomond. | | | | |
| Stirling offers a wide range of places of | | | | Dining in Stirling is an unforgettable |
| historicalinterest, activities, and great | | | | experience. No matter whatpleases the palate, |
| shopping and dining, which attractsover one | | | | Stirling's fine dining sites can satiate |
| million visitors a year. | | | | anyone'sappetite. |
| | | | |
| Places of interest: | | | | With traditional, home cooked food on offer, |
| | | | local mother anddaughter run Victoria's |
| Stirling is home to the magnificent Stirling | | | | Coffee Shop is a great bet for lunch on the |
| Castle, where ruling | | | | goand casual family dining. |
| | | | |
| Scottish monarchs resided for over three | | | | Recommended by EatScotland.com, The Birds and |
| centuries. King Kenneth | | | | the Bees offers alively atmosphere, national |
| | | | and international dining in an authenticfarm |
| McAlpine battled and conquered the tribe of | | | | steading conversion. |
| the Picts in 843 to formthe Kingdom of | | | | |
| Scotland within sight of the Castle, and over | | | | For a refined dining experience, the four |
| onethousand years later, William Wallace | | | | star Jekyll's Restaurantat the Queen's Hotel |
| triumphed over King Edward's armyat Stirling | | | | is recommended for traditional dishes in |
| Bridge in order to gain freedom from the | | | | luxurioussurroundings. |
| tyrannous Englishfor the Kingdom. The | | | | |
| battlefield of Bannockburn, where Robert the | | | | Hermann's Brasserie is recommended as a |
| Brucedefeated the English in 1314 to be | | | | staple of Stirling's diningexperience. |
| crowned King of Scotland is nearby,and the | | | | Featuring a unique fusion of Scottish and |
| creative, optimistic, and possibly | | | | Austrian cuisine,it is also famed for its |
| occasionally foolhardy,nature of the Scottish | | | | warm and hospitable atmosphere. |
| people is captured in John Damian's 1507 | | | | |
| attemptto fly from the battlements of | | | | Reservations are recommended to experience |
| Stirling Castle, with wings made fromhen's | | | | the sophistication andworld class cuisine of |
| feathers! | | | | The Heritage in the sophisticated Park Lodge |
| | | | |
| Open year round, the National Wallace | | | | Hotel. |
| Monument stands 220 feetabove Abbey Craig, as | | | | |
| testament to and in honour of the life | | | | Stirling Hotels & Accommodation: |
| andachievements of one of Scotland's greatest | | | | |
| heros, William Wallace. Themonument offers a | | | | There is a wide range of Hotels and |
| living history introduction to Wallace's | | | | Accommodation available to suit |
| life, bloodyand glorious campaign for | | | | allrequirements and budgets in Stirling, from |
| Scottish freedom, betrayal, trial, and | | | | traditional, family run bedand breakfasts to |
| gorydeath. | | | | dependable national chains to lavish high end |
| | | | hotels. |
| Since 1874, the Smith Art Gallery and Museum | | | | |
| has housed history,archaeological and fine | | | | Express By Holiday Inn Stirling |
| art collections that celebrate Scottish | | | | |
| historyand achievements. | | | | The Stirling Highland Hotel |
| | | | |
| Bannockburn Heritage Centre is the site of | | | | Entertainment |
| one of the mostimportant events in Scottish | | | | |
| history. The Centre presents a vividretelling | | | | Stirling offers all sorts of entertainment |
| of the 1314 battle in which King Robert Bruce | | | | and nightlife, from cinemasuch as Carlton |
| defeated thearmy of King Edward II, securing | | | | Cinemas, presenting the latest UK releases, |
| freedom for the Scots. | | | | to clubsand bars to family friendly |
| | | | activities including ice skating a the |
| No visit to Stirling would be complete | | | | |
| without experiencing | | | | Stirling Ice Rink and ten pin bowling at AMF |
| | | | Bowling or the Stirling |
| Stirling Castle. Built on volcanic rock, the | | | | |
| site of the castle hadbeen inhabited by | | | | Indoor Bowling Centre. Traditional |
| Picts, Romans and Scottish monarch among | | | | entertainment, including Highland |
| others, forover eight thousand years. The | | | | |
| prehistoric castle has been rumoured tobe the | | | | Games and Celtic folk nights of music and |
| setting of the legend of King Arthu's | | | | dancing, known as celidhs,are in abundance. |
| Camelot, and featurestours, exhibitions and | | | | Stirling enjoys a varied nightlife, with |
| living history performances that | | | | dance clubsincluding Fubar and Enigma, and |
| offerfascinating insight into the lively | | | | traditional pubs such as All that Jazzand |
| history of the castle and grounds. | | | | O'Neills, both frequented by University of |
| | | | Stirling students. |
| The Church of the Holy Rude is said to be the | | | | |
| only church still inuse that has witnessed a | | | | Stirling, and its surrounding areas, is |
| coronation. | | | | rightly known as Scotland'sbirthplace. It |
| | | | cannot be mere coincidence that so many |
| Things to do: | | | | events of greatsignificance to the Kingdom of |
| | | | Scotland occurred within the vicinity ofthe |
| There are loads of things to do while in | | | | gateway to the Highlands. Once the area was |
| Stirling. From fantasticshopping centres to | | | | home or destination tonational heroes such |
| fun amusement parks, Sterling | | | | William Wallace, Robert Bruce and Mary, Queen |
| providesentertainment for everyone. | | | | of |
| | | | |
| The Thistle Centre is one of Scotland's | | | | Scots, literary heroes including Rabbie Burns |
| premier shopping centres,home to a plethora | | | | and William Blake, andthe villain Rob Roy, |
| of high street names, including Marks & | | | | and today it is a premier destination for |
| Spencer, | | | | touristsand local visitors alike. Exulting in |
| | | | the breathtaking and unrivalledscenery of the |
| Monsoon, Next and the Virgin Megastore. | | | | Highlands, proximity to Scotland's urban |
| | | | centres of |
| There are a number of popular bike rentals, | | | | |
| mapped cycle routes andguide led cycle tours | | | | Glasgow and Edinburgh and enjoying a range of |
| for all ages and abilities, taking in | | | | activities to suit a widevariety of visitors, |
| thehistoric town and beautiful surrounding | | | | Stirling is at its heart an essential |
| areas. | | | | destinationfor any enthusiast of Scottish, or |
| | | | wider Celtic history and culture. |
| The Safari and Adventure Park in Blair | | | | |
| Drummond, near Stirling, isgreat for kids' | | | | Biography |
| entertainment and home to elephants, rhinos, | | | | |
| giraffes,tigers, bears, camels to name a few | | | | Name: Maria Williams |
| species of wild fauna, and with an | | | | |
| | | | Website: |
| Adventure Park, Pets Farm and performing sea | | | | |
| lions shows on offer forall round amusement. | | | | Biography: Maria writes for Sleep UK - |
| | | | providers of hotels in Stirling. |