Name: Stirling Castle
Rating: 5.0

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle, Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EJ, UK

7-99 Years

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Description

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s greatest stone castles – an icon integral to how we understand the nation’s story. The castle peaked in importance in the 1500s, but its volcanic crag has been fortified since ancient times.

Generations of Scottish monarchs have enlarged, adapted and embellished Stirling Castle. Explore its three main enclosures, and then admire the refurbished Royal Palace – childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots. The palace’s lavish design drew on European Renaissance fashions to show off James V’s power and good taste.

Price starts from £18.50 for Adults(16-64 yrs), £11.00 for Children(7-15 yrs) and £36.50 for Family of three. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

The Great Hall: The Great Hall is the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in Scotland. Completed for James IV in 1503, it has four pairs of tall windows at the dais end, where the king and queen sat. The exterior walls are a distinctive colour, rendered in Royal Gold harling, as they would have been in the 1500s.
The Royal Palace: Splendidly decorated and furnished, the palace of James V recalls the years when the castle was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots. Costumed interpreters set the 1500s scene and talk about the palace and the intrigues which took place within its walls.
The Chapel Royal: This elegant chapel was built in just seven months on the orders of James VI for the baptism of his son and heir Prince Henry. Dating from 1593–4, it was one of the first Protestant kirks in Scotland and also the last royal building at the castle.
The Great Kitchens: Pies, puddings, venison, salmon, prime beef – only the very best was good enough for royalty. See what life was like for the men, women and children who prepared the feasts for kings and queens, and baked the daily bread for servants.
Queen Anne Gardens: There may have been a royal garden here since the 1400s and the flat lawn was turned into a bowling green in the 1620s. Shade beneath the lovely beech tree which is over 200 years old. You can also enjoy the family trail in the Unicorn Garden.
The Stirling Tapestries: Intricate and beautiful, this set of seven hand-woven tapestries hangs on the walls of the Queen’s Inner Hall in the royal palace. They are closely based on the Hunt of the Unicorn series which were created in the early 1500s. The huge new tapestries were created in a 13-year, £2 million project.
The Palace Vault: The palace vaults have fun, interactive exhibitions especially for younger visitors. Have fun and find out about the music, paints, tools, fabrics and jokes of the 1500s.
The Castle Exhibition: Explore the Stirling Castle story, from the earliest times to the present day. Discover how the castle changed hands eight times in 50 years, delve into the story of the mysterious medieval burials beneath a lost royal chapel, and find out about the castle’s impressive artists.
Stirling Heads Gallery: The Stirling Heads are one of Scotland’s great art treasures – metre-wide 16th-century oak medallions carved with images of kings, queens, nobles, Roman emperors and characters from the Bible and Classical mythology.
The Access Gallery: Discover parts of the castle that are hard to access with displays, images and interactives. Find out about the royal palace and the many crafts involved in creating its sumptuous furniture and décor.
Regimental Museum: The links between Stirling Castle and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders reach back through 200 years of distinguished service. Home to a wealth of military treasures and artefacts, the museum brings the rich cultural links of one of Scotland’s great Highland regiments to life.
Test your castle knowledge: Take our fun fact-finding quiz. Available in English, French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Japanese, Scots, Simplified Chinese and Spanish.
The King’s Knot and Royal Park: Enjoy majestic views of the King’s Knot and Royal Park, which were once royal properties associated with the castle. Imagine the great battles that took place around the castle as you look towards the southern Highlands and the Ochil Hills.

Facilities

Parking: There are a limited number of disabled parking bays, available on a first come, first served basis. £5 for up to 4 hours. Half price for Historic Scotland Members April–September, free for members October–March.
Food & Drinks: Unicorn Café's name comes from the many statues and other representations of unicorns that can be seen around the castle. There are spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the Wallace Monument from the café’s rooftop patio.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Adult(16–64 yrs): £18.50 Online price & £20.50 Walk-up price.
Child(7–15 yrs): £11.00 Online price & £12.50 Walk-up price.
Family(1 adult, 2 children): £36.50 Online price & £41.00 Walk-up price.
Family(2 adults, 2 children): £53.00 Online price & £59.50 Walk-up price.
Family(2 adults, 3 children): £63.00 Online price & £70.50 Walk-up price.
Concession(65 yrs+ and unemployed): £15.00 Online price & £16.50 Walk-up price.

Pricing URL: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stirling-castle/prices-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

1 Apr to 30 Sept: Daily, 9.30am to last entry at 5pm (closes 6pm)
1 Oct to 31 Mar: Daily, 9.30am to last entry at 4pm (closes 5pm)

Address: Stirling Castle, Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EJ, UK

Post Code: FK8 1EJ

Council: Stirling

County: Stirling and Falkirk

By Car: We strongly recommend using the Castleview Park and Ride Service (FK9 4TW). It’s free to park, with regular buses dropping you a 5-minute walk from the castle. Return tickets: £1 adults / 50p children. (Service not available on Sundays.) Using the Park and Ride helps reduce traffic in Stirling’s historic centre and supports local businesses. There are no time or height restrictions at the park and ride, but if you plan to park a larger vehicle, please check with the parking attendant on the most suitable location to park.
Bus & Rail: Stirling bus station and train station are within walking distance of the castle, though it's uphill all the way.
Bicycle: There are bicycle racks by the car park booth on the esplanade.
Parking: There are a limited number of disabled parking bays, available on a first come, first served basis. £5 for up to 4 hours. Half price for Historic Scotland Members April–September, free for members October–March.