Stirling City guide, including Stirling Hotels

Known as the "gateway to the Highlands," Stirling isshows on offer forall round amusement.
Scotland'syoungest city, yet also steeped in some ofFor some fantastical and supernatural entertainment,
the country's most colourfuland glorious history.the Doon Hill
Situated on the River Forth, 40 minutes fromFairy Walk is a must for a guide led walk exploring
Glasgow and 50 minutes from Edinburgh, the citylocal legends of
enjoys breathtakingviews of the Highlands, LochFae folk, or for the brave, the Ghostwalk with Jock
Katrine, the inspiration for WilliamRankine's Spirit
Blake's The Lady of the Lake, Campsie Fells, and theGuide meets at the Stirling Town Hall.
Highlands' largestloch, Loch Lomond. Stirling offers aFood & Drink:
wide range of places of historicalinterest, activities,Dining in Stirling is an unforgettable experience. No
and great shopping and dining, which attractsovermatter whatpleases the palate, Stirling's fine dining
one million visitors a year.sites can satiate anyone'sappetite.
Places of interest:With traditional, home cooked food on offer, local
Stirling is home to the magnificent Stirling Castle,mother anddaughter run Victoria's Coffee Shop is a
where rulinggreat bet for lunch on the goand casual family dining.
Scottish monarchs resided for over three centuries.Recommended by EatScotland.com, The Birds and
King Kenneththe Bees offers alively atmosphere, national and
McAlpine battled and conquered the tribe of the Pictsinternational dining in an authenticfarm steading
in 843 to formthe Kingdom of Scotland within sightconversion.
of the Castle, and over onethousand years later,For a refined dining experience, the four star Jekyll's
William Wallace triumphed over King Edward's armyatRestaurantat the Queen's Hotel is recommended for
Stirling Bridge in order to gain freedom from thetraditional dishes in luxurioussurroundings.
tyrannous Englishfor the Kingdom. The battlefield ofHermann's Brasserie is recommended as a staple of
Bannockburn, where Robert the Brucedefeated theStirling's diningexperience. Featuring a unique fusion of
English in 1314 to be crowned King of Scotland isScottish and Austrian cuisine,it is also famed for its
nearby,and the creative, optimistic, and possiblywarm and hospitable atmosphere.
occasionally foolhardy,nature of the Scottish people isReservations are recommended to experience the
captured in John Damian's 1507 attemptto fly fromsophistication andworld class cuisine of The Heritage
the battlements of Stirling Castle, with wings madein the sophisticated Park Lodge
fromhen's feathers!Hotel.
Open year round, the National Wallace MonumentStirling Hotels & Accommodation:
stands 220 feetabove Abbey Craig, as testament toThere is a wide range of Hotels and Accommodation
and in honour of the life andachievements of one ofavailable to suit allrequirements and budgets in Stirling,
Scotland's greatest heros, William Wallace.from traditional, family run bedand breakfasts to
Themonument offers a living history introduction todependable national chains to lavish high end hotels.
Wallace's life, bloodyand glorious campaign forExpress By Holiday Inn Stirling
Scottish freedom, betrayal, trial, and gorydeath.The Stirling Highland Hotel
Since 1874, the Smith Art Gallery and Museum hasEntertainment
housed history,archaeological and fine art collectionsStirling offers all sorts of entertainment and nightlife,
that celebrate Scottish historyand achievements.from cinemasuch as Carlton Cinemas, presenting the
Bannockburn Heritage Centre is the site of one oflatest UK releases, to clubsand bars to family friendly
the mostimportant events in Scottish history. Theactivities including ice skating a the
Centre presents a vividretelling of the 1314 battle inStirling Ice Rink and ten pin bowling at AMF Bowling
which King Robert Bruce defeated thearmy of Kingor the Stirling
Edward II, securing freedom for the Scots.Indoor Bowling Centre. Traditional entertainment,
No visit to Stirling would be complete withoutincluding Highland
experiencingGames and Celtic folk nights of music and dancing,
Stirling Castle. Built on volcanic rock, the site of theknown as celidhs,are in abundance. Stirling enjoys a
castle hadbeen inhabited by Picts, Romans andvaried nightlife, with dance clubsincluding Fubar and
Scottish monarch among others, forover eightEnigma, and traditional pubs such as All that Jazzand
thousand years. The prehistoric castle has beenO'Neills, both frequented by University of Stirling
rumoured tobe the setting of the legend of Kingstudents.
Arthu's Camelot, and featurestours, exhibitions andStirling, and its surrounding areas, is rightly known as
living history performances that offerfascinatingScotland'sbirthplace. It cannot be mere coincidence
insight into the lively history of the castle andthat so many events of greatsignificance to the
grounds.Kingdom of Scotland occurred within the vicinity
The Church of the Holy Rude is said to be the onlyofthe gateway to the Highlands. Once the area was
church still inuse that has witnessed a coronation.home or destination tonational heroes such William
Things to do:Wallace, Robert Bruce and Mary, Queen of
There are loads of things to do while in Stirling. FromScots, literary heroes including Rabbie Burns and
fantasticshopping centres to fun amusement parks,William Blake, andthe villain Rob Roy, and today it is a
Sterling providesentertainment for everyone.premier destination for touristsand local visitors alike.
The Thistle Centre is one of Scotland's premierExulting in the breathtaking and unrivalledscenery of
shopping centres,home to a plethora of high streetthe Highlands, proximity to Scotland's urban centres
names, including Marks & Spencer,of
Monsoon, Next and the Virgin Megastore.Glasgow and Edinburgh and enjoying a range of
There are a number of popular bike rentals, mappedactivities to suit a widevariety of visitors, Stirling is at
cycle routes andguide led cycle tours for all ages andits heart an essential destinationfor any enthusiast of
abilities, taking in thehistoric town and beautifulScottish, or wider Celtic history and culture.
surrounding areas.Biography
The Safari and Adventure Park in Blair Drummond,Name: Maria Williams
near Stirling, isgreat for kids' entertainment and homeWebsite:
to elephants, rhinos, giraffes,tigers, bears, camels toBiography: Maria writes for Sleep UK - providers of
name a few species of wild fauna, and with anhotels in Stirling.
Adventure Park, Pets Farm and performing sea lions