Explore from The Trossachs - Stirling Callander .Strathyre . Balquhidder . Killin . Doune . Stirling . Brig o' Turk . Trossachs Pier . Aberfoyle . Stronachlachar . Lochearnhead The Queen Elizabeth Forest Park . Walking . Hill walking . Cycling

About Stirling - gateway to the Trossachs?

Anyone heading for the Trossachs from the south or from Edinburgh direction will probably pass Stirling on the way. Stirling has had a very important role in Scotland's past as it stands guard over what was at one time a bottleneck for any armies heading north due to the river Forth being at one time uncrossable between the sea and Stirling bridge.

Stirling is a very old settlement and archeology has shown that its castle rock was an important stronghold before records began. The castle on its rocky outcrop is visible for miles before you reach Stirling but the castle is only one of the many reasons for spending some time in Stirling. Unsurprisingly Stirliong castle was the favourite residence of the Stewart dynasty of Scotland's kings. The Great Hall was commissiones by James vi and was recently restored and painted in its original cream colour - a far cry from the usual drab grey which we usually see in these ancient fortresses.

Shopping

The Thistle shopping centre is a shoppers paradise with an excellent variety of shops and stores to keep you interested on a wet day. Don't forget to take a look outside the shopping mall as the old centre of Stirling has its own delights plus many more local stores and speciality shops.

There is also another indoor shopping area in the Victorian Arcade which was constructed between 1881 and 1882 and features fine examples of the architecture of that era. Stretching from King Street to Murray Place, the Arcade is not to be missed during your visit to Stirling. It houses a number of small independent shops selling everything from Scottish pies to guitars and keyboards. The arcade is open all year round Monday to Saturday from around 8.30am to 5.30pm.

Things to see and do

• Spend half a day in Stirling Castle and don't forget to look over the walls sometime for the panoramic views to the Wallace monument, the Trossachs, Ben Lomond and the line of mountains which mark the start of the Highlands.
• Walk round the 'Valley Cemetery' near Argyll's Lodgings. See the interesting carved tombstones with the trade symbols.
• Visit Argyll's Lodgings - the most complete surviving 17th century town house in Scotland
• Climb to the top of the Wallace monument, see Wallace's enormous sword and get an almost aerial view of Stirling.
• Cambuskenneth Abbey bell tower, probably built in the late 1200s, the burial ground and James III's tomb beside that of his Queen, Margaret of Denmark.
• Walk over the old stone bridge over the river Forth which was built around 1500 to replace the earlier wooden bridge a little upstream which was the site of Wallaces 'Battle of the Brig'.

The above list is just a taste of the many interesting places in and around Stirling. Visit the tourism office in Dumbarton Road for a full list of attractions.

Exploring from Stirling

Places nearby to visit from Stirling include: The Trossachs, Callander, Doune and Dunblane