Choose from 11 Fun Things to Do in Stirling
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Barry Mill
Barry Mill The Barry Mill is a Category A listed watermill located half a mile north of the village of Barry, not far from the town of Carnoustie in eastern Scotland. Found in a fairly secluded area next to the Barry Burn, the mill consists of three floors: a meal floor (the basement), a milling floor and the top floor. The original mill standing on the site was destroyed by fire in 1814 and the current mill dates from the rebuilding. It was commercially operational until 1984, processing oats into oatmeal, and was restored by the National Trust of Scotland in 1992.
Guided tours of the mill are available and worthwhile in learning more about the process of milling grain into oatmeal. Actual milling takes place on Sunday afternoons and uses a pair of French burr stones made in Edinburgh in 1880.
Practical Info
The grounds surrounding the mill are open year round until sunset each day and are great for picnicking. The mill itself is open April 2 to October 31, Thursday to Monday, from noon to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. To get there, you can take a Strathtay Bus from Dundee, Carnoustie or Arbroath. Additionally, trains on the Dundee to Aberdeen route stop at nearby Carnoustie.
Address: Carnoustie, Scotland
Hours: The mill itself is open April 2 to October 31, Thursday to Monday, from noon to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
Admission: Adults £6.50
From $ 14
Falkland
Flanked by the Lomond Hills in central Fife, the former royal burgh of Falkland is known for its twisting streets and centuries-old stoned houses. Dominating the town center is the famous Falkland Palace. Once the hunting lodge of the Stuart Monarchs, the palace was a favorite summer resort of Mary Queen of Scots.
Built by French masons on behalf of King James V, on a visit you’ll get to see its famous buttresses and turrets, and in the gardens lies Britain’s oldest royal tennis court, built in 1539.
The village is also known for its old horse market, Falkland Cricket Club, and famous golf club. Fans of the TV series Outlander may also recognize Falkland’s streets as the setting for the show’s opening scenes filmed in World War II.
Practical Info
You can take the bus to Falkland from St Andrews (30 minutes) or Cupar (15 minutes), which connects to Edinburgh and Glasgow via train. Falkland Palace on Main Street is open between March and October, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. On Sunday, it is open from 1-5pm. Entry costs £12.
Address: Falkland, Fife, United Kingdom, Scotland
Hours: Falkland Palace on Main Street is open between March and October, Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. On Sunday, it is open from 1-5pm.
Admission: £12
From $ 16
National Wallace Monument
With its dramatic perch atop Abbey Craig hill, the distinctive 67-meter-tall Gothic tower of the National Wallace Monument casts a striking silhouette, looming on the horizon just north of Stirling. Built in honor of Scottish hero Sir William Wallace, the fearless freedom fighter who led Scotland to victory during the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge, the grand monument is a worthy tribute and is now one of Scotland’s most visited monuments.
Designed by architect J. T. Rochead, the monument took eight years to build and was finally inaugurated in 1869. Today, more than 100,000 annual visitors climb the 246 steps to the top of the tower, from where the views span Stirling Castle, Stirling town and the surrounding countryside. Following the spiral stairwell, visitors pass through three floors of exhibitions – the Hall of Arms, focusing on the Battle of Stirling Bridge; the Hall of Heroes, where Wallace’s legendary battle sword takes center stage; and the Royal Chamber, which tells the history of the monument itself. There’s also a gift shop and café housed in the ground floor Keeper’s Lodge.
Practical Info
The National Wallace Monument is located at the top of Abbey Craig hill, around 4km north of Stirling, and is open daily from 10am to 5pm (summer) and 10:30am to 4pm (winter). Admission is £9.50 for adults and £5.90 for children.
Address: Abbey Craig, Hillfoots Rd, Stirling FK9 5LF, Scotland
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm (summer), 10.30am-4pm (winter)
Admission: Adults: £9.50, Children: £5.90
From $ 48
Arduaine Garden
Arduaine Garden The Arduaine Garden is a coastal garden located on the south slope of the Arduaine Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland. Covering 20 acres, it was founded in 1898 and enjoys the warming effect of theNorth Atlantic Drift. As a result, it is home to a wide variety of flora, including rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, Blue Tibetan poppies, giant Himalayan lilies, palms and tree ferns. Visitors may also spot wildlife such as kestrels, seals, badgers and porpoises.
Two waymarked paths lead visitors around the garden. The shorter, green path leads past several smaller pounds before heading to the larger Heron Pond. The longer, blue path follows the length of the garden before emerging to the Owls’ Walk, which leads to a great viewpoint. It then continues around the top of the garden and back down to the Inside Garden. A stroll around both paths will take around an hour.
Practical Info
The Arduaine Garden is located 20 miles south of Oban and 19 miles north of Lochgilphead. The nearest train station is the one at Oban and infrequent bus service by West Coast Motors passes by the entrance. The garden is open daily all year around from 9:30 a.m. to sunset and the reception center is open from March 23 to September 30, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is 6.50 pounds for adults. Some parts are wheelchair accessible, but may require due care and a reasonably strong companion.
Address: Oban, Scotland
Hours: Open year round, daily from 9:30 a.m. to sunset and the reception center is open from March 23 to September 30, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission: 6.50 pounds for adults
From $ 14
Grey Mare's Tail
The Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve is home to the fifth highest waterfall in the United Kingdom, also called Grey Mare’s Tail. The waterfall is a hanging valley waterfall flowing from Loch Skeen into Moffat Water Valley. The surrounding nature reserve offers dramatic scenery and a post glacial landscape, as well as rare plants and wildlife. Nearby Dobb’s Linn is known for being home to fossils at least 400 million years old and the Tail Burn Fort is thought to be a defensive or ritual site dating to the Iron Age.
It is just a short walk to the waterfall and a longer, hour-long walk, will take you all the way to Loch Skeen. Look for the peregrine falcons that nest on the craigs around the waterfall and enjoy great views of Mid Craig and Loch Craighead. For more amazing views, you can climb to the top of White Coomb, the highest hill in Dumfriesshire standing nearly 2700 feet high. Good hiking boots are recommended.
Practical Info
The Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve is open daily all year round. Located 10 miles northeast of Moffat, it is best accessed by car. The nearest train station is 25 miles away at Lockerbie and the closest public toilets are five miles away in St. Mary’s Loch.
Address: Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve, Moffat Water Valley, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, UK DG10 9LP, Scotland
Hours: Daily 24/7
From $ 14
Kellie Castle and Garden
The Kellie Castle and Garden is located in Fife, about three miles northwest of Pittenween in eastern Scotland. Built in the 14th century, the castle was home to the Oliphant family for 250 years and is pretty much the same today as it was when the family departed in 1613. The library ceiling is one of the oldest ornamental ceilings in Scotland and the dining room features paneling painted in the 17th century. In the stables, you can see an exhibition on the life and work of Hew Lorimer, a 20th century Scottish sculptor who took over the leads of the castle in 1937.
Outside of the castle, the Arts & Crafts Garden is full of old fashioned roses, herbaceous plants, fruits and vegetables and the Kellie Wood boasts a large pond, adventure playground and bird hide and is home to foxes, badgers, deer and rabbits.
Practical Info
The garden and estate surrounding the Kellie Castle are open daily from 9 a.m. to dusk. The castle is open April 3 to May 31 and September 1-30, Thursdays to Mondays, noon to 5 pm; June 1 to August 31, daily 10:30 am to 5 pm; and October 1-31, Thursdays to Mondays, noon to 4 p.m. Admission is 11.50 pounds for adults. The nearest train station is at Leuchars or Cupar. From Leuchars, you can take a bus to St. Andrews and then on to Pittenweem, about three miles away. Alternatively, the Flexibus is available to take visitors to the castle from nearby villages by pre-booking.
Address: Anstruther, Fife, UK KY10 2RE, Scotland
Hours: Garden & Estate Open Daily 9am-Dusk
Admission: Adult £11.50
From $ 14
Angus Folk Museum
A visit to the Angus Folk Museum is a great way to get a taste of Scottish rural life 200 years ago. Six 18th century cottages display one of Scotland’s finest folk collections, with many items donated by friends of Jean, Lady Maitland, or purchased at sales or auctions.
Start your tour in the reception and shop at one end of the interconnected cottages before moving on to the typical Scottish farmstead featuring a “Life on the Land” exhibition. The Smiddy features all of the tools of a working blacksmith and in the Dairy, you can see what was needed to milk cows and make butter or cheese. There is also a laundry, stable, quarters for unmarried farmer laborers and a large area for spinning and weaving, as well as a Victorian school room with blackboards, maps and an abacus. You can also see a Glenisla hearse – a horse-drawn wagon that was used to carry wealthy parishioners to their graves.
Practical Info
The Angus Folk Museum is currently closed to the public due to problems with the stability of the roof structure and excessively high humidity levels. When open, admission for adults is 6.50 pounds. Located in Glamis village, 5 miles southwest of Forfar, it is accessible by limited bus service from Dundee via Forfar. Meffan Coaches numbers 124 and 125 run Monday through Saturday and Strathtay Buses number 20C runs on Sundays.
Address: Kirkwynd, Glamis, Forfar DD8 1RT, United Kingdom, Scotland
Admission: Adults £6.50
From $ 14
St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve
The St. Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve may be the best known destination along the Berwickshire coast of Scotland. Formed by a series of volcanic eruptions, it features dramatic cliffs, a rugged coastline and crystal clear waters. The reserve is especially popular with bird watchers, who flock to see some of the 30,000 guillemots, 3,600 kittiwakes and 1800 razorbills that call the area home. Visitors can also spot seals, dolphins and even whales at times. Traces of an Iron Age settlement have been found within the reserve, as have remnants of a 7th century Christian community founded by a Northumbrian princess.
Three walking trails are available around the reserve and it is fairly easy to cover all three in a day’s visit. The main trail is the Discovery Trail and two loops (the Lighthouse Loop and the Mire Loch Loop) start from the trail. A stroll along all three should take around three hours. Guided walks with park rangers are also available and a nature center showcases the history of the area, nature and wildlife and has leaflets for self-guided tours.
Practical Info
The St. Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve is open daily all year round and the nature center is open April 1 to October 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is only accessible by car. From the A1, take the A1107 to Coldingham, turn right onto Coldingham high street and drive one mile to the entrance.
Address: Northfield, Eyemouth, Scottish Borders, UK TD14 5QF, Scotland
Hours: Daily 24/7
From $ 14
Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse and Garden
The Hill of Tarvit is an Edwardian era mansionhouse, first built in the 17th century and remodeled in 1906. With an exquisite collection of antiques, Chinese porcelain, furniture and paintings, it provides a glimpse of early 20th century Edwardian life. The Main Hall features Flemish tapestry, while the Dining Room displays fine English furniture and the Drawing Room is home to French furniture and Rococo-style plasterwork. The fireplace in the Smoking Room is made of a remnant of the nearby Scotstarvit Tower that dates to 1500.
One of the major attractions of the grounds is a nine hole hickory club golf course, which was added in 1924. Visitors can also try their hand at croquet, billiards and parlour games from the early 1900s. Alternatively enjoy one of the three marked walks around the grounds – the Woodland Walk, the Hilltop Walk or the Centenary Walk.
Practical Info
The garden and grounds surrounding the Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse are open daily from 9:30 am to dusk. The mansion itself is open from April 1 to May 31, Wednesdays to Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.; from June 1 to August 31, daily, 1-5 p.m.; and September 1 to October 31, Wednesdays to Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing time. Tickets cost 10.50 pounds for adults.
To get to the Hill of Tarvit, take Stagecoach Fife bus 41 to Craigrothie Village Hall, a half mile walk away or bus 64 to the Cupar entrance. By train, the Edinburgh-Dundee-Aberdeen-Dyce line stops at Cupar, two miles away.
Address: Hill of Tarvit Mansion, Cupar, United Kingdom KY15 5PB, Scotland
Hours: Daily 9:30am-Dusk
Admission: Adult £10.50
From $ 14
House of Dun
The House of Dun is a Georgian house built in 18th century that is set among Victorian gardens and woodlands and adjacent to the Montrose Basin Nature Reserve. It is home to the Hutchison and Stirling collections of paintings and furniture, including 30 paintings by prominent Scottish artists. It was originally built for David Erskine, Lord Dun, from 1730 to 1743 and was home to generations of Erskines until 1947. It functioned as a hotel until 1985.
Guided tours of the House of Dun last just over an hour and talk about the construction of the home while pointing out a variety of ornate plasterwork and period equipment, such as a boot bath from the 1800s. The surrounding gardens are a must-see, as part of the landscape has been reconstructed to what it would have looked like in the 1740s.
Practical Info
The garden and estate surrounding the House of Dun are open daily from 9 a.m. to dusk. The house itself is open March 30-June 30 and September 1-30, Mondays to Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.; July 1 to August 31, Saturdays to Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and October 1 to November 29, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2:30 p.m. Admission is 10.50 pounds.
Strathtay Buses serve the House of Dun and the Montrose train station is three miles away. It is a 45 minute drive from Aberdeen.
Address: Montrose, Angus, United Kingdom DD10 9LQ, Scotland
Hours: Garden & Estate Open Daily 9:30am-Dusk
Admission: Adult £10.50
From $ 14
Culross
With its cobbled streets, narrow wynds, and old tollbooth on the shores of the Firth of Forth, Culross (pronounced Koo-ross) is said to be best-preserved 17th-century town in Scotland. Seventeen miles northwest of Edinburgh, Culross once thrived on the trade of coal and salt, but when the coal dried up, so did the prosperity of the town, and so the original merchant’s houses were never demolished or tweaked into Victorian builds.
From the 1930s onwards, the National Trust for Scotland has purchased 20 of the town’s buildings in order to preserve them, and on a visit to the seaside town you can visit Culross Palace, the Study, and the Townhouse through the trust. A walk around the town will take you past whitewashed buildings and stone cottages leading to the abbey, founded by the Cistercians in 1217.
Practical Info
The Palace, Study, and Townhouse buildings are open from April 1 through October 31. Entry costs £10.50 for adults, and one ticket gains access to all areas.
Address: Dunfermline, Fife, United Kingdom, Scotland
Admission: £10.50 for adults
From $ 14