BED & BREAKFAST, GUESTHOUSE AND SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION SCOTLAND - BOOK NOW FOR EASTER AND SIX NATIONS RUGBY 2008!
Stirling has been likened by many as a mini 'Edinburgh Old Town' although arguably it has the best Castle in Scotland. Other tourist attractions include the Wallace Monument as well as the Blair Drummond Safari Park. The Church of the Holy Rude is well worth visiting, as is the Old Town jail and the original medieval prison the Tolbooth, now renovated substantially into the Citys Art and Music Cultural Centre.
Stirling Castle sits high above the historic town of Stirling, perched imposingly on a volcanic crag and visible for miles around. It has been said that the story of Camelot is based on this Castle, from the time of King Arthur’s occupation of Scotland. The castle is now cared for by Historic Scotland and, as one of the most important castles in Western Europe, is an important tourist attraction for any visitor to Scotland.
The castle is dramatically surrounded on 3 sides by sheer rock faces and it’s location, guarding the lowest crossing point of the River Forth, is strategically vital, for anyone wishing to control Central Scotland. This is borne out by the dramatic history of the area. Stirling Castle has been attacked or besieged at least 16 times over the centuries. Two of the most important battles in Scottish history were fought in the immediate vicinity; The Battle of Stirling Bridge where the Scots, led by William Wallace, defeated the English in 1297 and The Battle of Bannockburn where Robert the Bruce led a Scots army to defeat the English in 1314. Mary Queen of Scots was hastily crowned Queen of Scotland, aged 9 months old, in the Church of the Holy Rude, next to the castle in 1543. Mary lived in Stirling Castle with her mother until 1548 and returned several times through-out her life. It has been suggested that the ‘Pink Lady’, who many believe to haunt Stirling Castle, is the spirit of Mary Queen of Scots.
The oldest surviving parts of Stirling Castle date from the fourteenth century, although most of the buildings now making up the castle were built in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Notably, the renaissance Chapel Royal was built by James VI in 1594 for the christening of his eldest son Prince Henry. The Great Hall is 125 feet long by 36 feet wide and has been beautifully restored after it was used as an army barrack from 1800 to 1964.
Stirling Castle Esplanade has played host to a range of high profile pop and rock concerts including Wet Wet Wet and REM. It is also the location for Stirling’s Hogmanay celebrations, including the spectacular annual firework display.
There is a good selection of excellent Scottish accommodation in the vicinity of the castle, ranging from B&Bs, guest houses, self-catering homes and hotels. There are also a number of excellent restaurants, cafés, pubs and a range of individual local shops. A short walk will take you to the city centre, where you can see unique historic buildings including; Mar’s Wark, the graveyard of the Holy Rude church, the magnificent Albert Hall, Darnley’s House, Stirling Tolbooth, Robert Spittal House.
A short car journey from Stirling Castle is the striking Wallace Monument which offers fascinating exhibitions and displays about William Wallace and the history of the region. The monument offers spectacular views across the local landscape and back towards Stirling Castle.
Stirling Castle When you are in Scotland, a visit to Stirling and Stirling Castle is a must. This town has a rich history of Scottish battles, as it has been attacked more than sixteen times over the centuries. Some of the battles took place in the Stirlingshire countryside; there was a successful battle to give the Scottish people their own king and to establish Scotland as an independent country. Many Scottish kings and queens were crowned and died near to Stirling or the castle. Arguably Stirling’s most interesting period of history are the years dating from 1496 to 1583. During this period there were three kings: James IV, James V and James VI. In early years, the castle was the home for the kings and queens of Scotland, but the union of Scotland and England, which took place during the reign of James VI, changed all of this.
The castle has been maintained by the local council and Historic Scotland since last century. Stirling Castle is built on volcanic rock, which dates back to the 6th century. It is said that the story of Camelot is based on this Castle, from the time of King Arthur’s occupation of Scotland. The kings and queens did their best to protect the castle by constructing effective defences over the years. On a visit to the castle, you will be able to see the remains of King James’ work, a part of the ‘French Spur’, which was an artillery spur capable of firing into all directions from the front wall. Cannon balls were deflected by a very big angled stone, named a ‘talus’. In the later days there were more improvements made to the French Spur and it was modified in terms of the level of firing and the range, in order to fully protect the whole of the castle’s defences.
The chambers at the front of the castle wall provided a shelter when the castle was under heavy artillery bombardment. Beyond the main gate of the castle there is the ticket office, the main shop and a café, which has been designed in traditional style and is a great place for enjoying a cup of coffee and taking in the spectacular views towards the William Wallace Monument. The North Gate will take you to the path that lies along the castle walls, which has a great view of the Stirlingshire countryside.
In the Main Guard House there are two specialist shops, where you can find a wide range of historical books about Stirling, the castle, and Scotland’s culture, history and heroes. There is another shop which should not be missed, which is right next to the book shop: the castle’s whisky shop, with its large range of local whiskies and many others from all over Scotland. The Wallace Whisky liqueur is available here – it has an excellent taste and is difficult to find elsewhere.
There is a good selection of excellent Scottish accommodation in the vicinity of the castle, ranging from B&Bs, guest houses, self-catering homes and hotels. There are also a number of excellent restaurants, cafés, pubs and good local shops. A short walk will take you to the city centre, where you can see all the spectacular unique buildings which have a long history, including Mar’s Wark, the graveyard of the Holy Rude church (where King James VI was crowned), the magnificent Albert Hall, Darnley’s House, Stirling Tolbooth, Robert Spittal House, the palace and many other striking buildings. Choose from the great range of city centre accommodation and rest in one of the local guest houses, bed and breakfasts or small hotels situated around King Street and Baker Street.
Your holiday will be memorable in this wonderfully historic Scottish city.
Accommodation: Guest House 16 Drip Road, Stirling Scotland
We are literally situated at the Highlands gateway, making our Guest House an ideal base to explore the beautiful surrounding areas. There is a child discount available on request.
Accommodation: Budget Hotel Stirling Road, Callander Stirling Scotland
Welcome to Abbotsford Lodge in the pretty central town of Callander in Perthshire. The house dates from the 19th century but has been fully refurbished and modernised to provide comfortable and stylish accommodation throughout, while still retaining many original Victorian features. We have plenty of off-street parking and also secure storage for bicycles.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast 26 Causewayhead Road Stirling Scotland
Argyll House is a charming bed and breakfast conveniently located in the heart of historic Stirling. We are near Stirling Castle, favoured by Royalty and with deep historic roots. Also located here is the Army Regimental Museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast Milton, by Aberfoyle Stirling Scotland
For a memorable holiday break, visit Balavulin B&B, a haven of peace and tranquillity nestled amidst the spectacular scenery of the National Park. All rooms are comfortable and nicely decorated, with coffee and tea making facilities, hairdryer, alarm clock and a thermostat for your convenience.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast 14 Bridge Street, Dollar Stirling Scotland
Bridge House has an enviable central location in Dollar, a lovely village located midway between Stirling and St Andrews on the A91. The house is Victorian in style and has been refurbished over the years to provide modern bed and breakfast accommodation. In Dollar you will find restaurants, bars and interesting shops, and the countryside offers ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy a range of activities, including golf, fishing, cycling and walking.
Accommodation: Guest House 1 Albert Place Stirling Scotland
The Burns View Guest House is located in the city centre ideally located near the shops, train station and buses. Stirling Castle is just a short walk away. Burns View is the perfect place for visiting Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth by road, train or bus.
Accommodation: Budget Hotel Bridge Street, Dollar Stirling Scotland
The Castle Campbell Hotel is situated in the town of Dollar, in the heart of central Scotland. We are in an ideal spot for accessing many of Scotland's towns and cities: St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Perth are all less than an hour's drive from here. This house was originally a coaching inn and dates from around 1822.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast Ballengeich Road Stirling Scotland
Castlecroft is located just below Stirling Castle and has a three star rating from the Scottish Tourist Board. The Guest House offers fantastic views of the surrounding Scottish scenery, with many rooms directly facing the hills. The House has six individual bedrooms and a large lounge area for guests’ use. It also offers a rear garden with seating area. The quiet location is ideal for hill walking and explorations of the delightful countryside and varied wildlife. Breakfast is served each morning and car parking is available at the House.
Cooperage Quay Apartments are two separate apartments, Castleview and Riverview. They are located in the newly developed area of Stirling called Riverside, both overlooking the river and one with views of Stirling Castle. The apartments are a short walk from the train station and the M9 motorway. The surrounding area offers many attractions including tours to Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond. The apartments are available for both short and long term lets.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast Glasgow Road, Whins of Milton Stirling Scotland
Coralinn Bed and Breakfast is located in Bannockburn, close to the centre of Stirling. A short drive from the B&B guests will find a range of interesting places to visit, including the Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle, and Bannockburn Heritage Centre. In addition there are many opportunities for outdoor activities including hill walking, cycling, fishing, and horse riding. A nine hole golf course is located a quarter of a mile from the B&B. For guests wishing to visit other Scottish cities, both Edinburgh and Glasgow are less than an hour’s drive away, as are Loch Lomond and the Trossachs. The B&B can be reached via the M9 / M80, and the A872.
Corshill House dates back to 1810 and has been refurbished to provide spacious self-catering accommodation for up to eight people. It is surrounded by a large garden which is shared with The Smiddy and The Stables cottages (see below). The House is located within a mile of beautiful Thornhill village which has two pubs serving lunch and dinner, as well as a post office and village shop selling groceries. Stirling is six miles from the House. Private parking is available at the house. Please note that the House is non-smoking throughout.
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast Trossachs Road, Aberfoyle, Stirlingshire, Stirling Scotland
If you're looking for a great place to stay, you are welcome to join us in Crannaig House, set in National Park land and surrounded by scenic gardens. We want our guests to feel as comfortable as possible, so we offer a choice of standard and en-suite rooms, all of them cosy and well-appointed with a radio, television and coffee and tea making facilities.
