Attractions Nearby Stirling, Day Trips and Excursions

(Stirling, Scotland, UK)

Thanks to its central location, there are some excellent places to visit just outside of Stirling. The main attractions include a myriad of pleasant medieval hamlets like Callander, Bridge of Allan and Dunblane, all of which can be reached in less than an hour from Stirling and are therefore highly suitable for day trips.

Of course, there's plenty of nature trails and wildlife attractions around as well, with excursions to Loch Achray, Loch Leven and Loch Lomond all recommended. Or you can even make it to Glasgow or Edinburgh in no time at all for an afternoon spent strolling around these amazing cities. Alternatively, pencil in a visit to the Campsie Fells, the Trossachs, the Falkirk Wheel or the Kingdom of Fife, or perhaps take a steam-train trip on the Bo'Ness and Kinneil Railway.

Aberdeen

The busy harbour city of Aberdeen lies some 196 km / 122 miles to the north-east of Stirling and is therefore just a little too far away to make a day trip practical. Aberdeen is a wealthy city with strong connections to the North Sea's oil industry and comes with many excellent cultural attractions. These include the Maritime Museum, the Aberdeen Art Gallery, Provost Ross's House and St. Nicholas Church. Union Street is the principal thoroughfare in Aberdeen and is lined with grand Victorian edifices, with the historic Castlegate area being located at the easterly end. Near to Castlegate, Aberdeen Beach offers a traditional seaside atmosphere on a sunny Scottish day.

Dundee

Dundee is just over an hour from Stirling, being roughly 90 km / 56 miles to the north-east. The City Square forms the centrepiece of Dundee and contains many important landmarks and attractions, such as Caird Hall. Located on the High Street side of the City Square, look out for the bronze statue of comic book character Desperate Dan, which commemorates the Dandy comic, printed here in the city ever since the 1930s. Based within the Cultural Quarter, the Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre is not to be missed, with its endless array of modern canvasses and sculptures. Sightseers may also like to check out Captain Scott's RRS Discovery ship at Discovery Point, and the HM Frigate Unicorn at the Victoria Dock - the most historic British-built ship still floating.

Edinburgh

As the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh boasts huge tourist appeal and many wonderful attractions, and all this just 56 km / 37 miles from Stirling. Edinburgh is an exceptionally beautiful city with an undeniable cultural vibe, with the city being at its busiest during its summer season of festivals. If you are taking an excursion here for a couple of days, then you should prioritise your sightseeing and consider visiting Edinburgh Castle, the Museum of Scotland and the Scottish Parliament Building. After that, perhaps take a climb to the top of the extinct volcano named Arthur's Seat, or a stroll along the Royal Mile for a spot of lunch or an evening meal.

Glasgow

Glasgow is a city that has recently spent many millions on successful regeneration projects and appears quite transformed, becoming a hub of Scottish culture and entertainment. Situated only 45 km / 28 miles to the south-west, there is much to see in Glasgow, with the recently revamped Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum a particular highlight, along with Glasgow Cathedral and boat trips on the River Clyde. Families will enjoy a visit to the Glasgow Science Centre and the Botanic Gardens, while fans of Rennie Mackintosh architecture will be able to admire some of his most stylish buildings.

Callander

For centuries this lovely little town, a mere 25 km / 16 miles to the north-west of Stirling, has been welcoming visitors from across Britain. Callander is filled with excellent shopping spots, dining options and watering holes. Nature also plays a big role in town, with shady walks along the Teith River and more active hikes up Ben Ledi mountain. The surrounding Balquhidder countryside is where Rob Roy once raided cattle and famously caused trouble.

Dunblane

You can catch a train from Stirling for a ten-minute ride to this small Scottish cathedral town. Dunblane is approximately 10 km / 6 miles away and has a great ambience that seems preserved in medieval times. The Old Town is concentrated around one of the last surviving medieval churches in the country, and spreading out from the church are narrow lanes lined with old homes and shops. If you drive here, you can get to the scenic site of the Battle of Sheriffmuir, where the first Jacobite rebellion was quashed in 1715.

Campsie Fells, Loch Lomond and Strathblane

Often referred to as simply the Campsies, the gorgeous Campsie Fells are sited just outside of Glasgow and comprise a range of hills, with Earl's Seat forming the highest point and towering almost 600 metres / 1,970 feet in height.

A number of attractions are based around the Campsies, such as the villages of Drymen, Fintry, Killearn and Kippen, along with Dumgoyne Hill and its enticing walking trails. To the west, both Loch Lomond and Strathblane await visitors.

The Trossachs

Based around Loch Achray and Loch Katrine, and a leading tourist destination since the early part of the 19th century, the woodland glen named the Trossachs was brought to the attention of the world after it made an appearance in the 1817 novel Rob Roy, written by Sir Walter Scott. The importance of this region and its indigenous wildlife was recognised by the creation of 'Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park', which came into being as recently as 2002.

Bridge of Allan

This lovely Victorian spa town is just a few minutes' drive from the centre of Stirling. It makes an excellent easy day trip if you want to see a more elegant version of a traditional Scottish hamlet. The riverside is lined with walking paths, and Henderson Street with boutique shops carrying a range of tempting goods. Tourists often pay a visit to the Bridge of Allan Brewery for an insight into the brewing process of real Scottish ales, while the calm atmosphere of this spot is ideal for a relaxing afternoon of strolling around.

Balquhidder

Address: Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, Scotland, UK
A small village lying around 47 km / 29 miles to the north-west of Stirling, Balquhidder is just off the A84 and is where you will find the grave of Robert Roy MacGregor (Rob Roy), a renowned Scottish folk hero who died in 1734. Most of the interest at Balquhidder resides around its church and graveyard, with St. Angus's Stone believed to date back to the 8th century and marking the tomb of the monk who founded this church such a long time ago.

Dollar

Based within the lower Ochil Hills and 16 km / 10 miles to the east of Stirling is the appealing town of Dollar, a popular day trip destination offering a choice of recreational activities and historic sights. Visitors will be able to take a walk up Dollar Glen and enjoy the townscape views from the wooded hills. Dollar has been home to a fortress of some kind for almost 1,000 years, although its present version, Castle Campbell, dates from the 15th century. First buses are on hand if you are looking to use public transport to reach Dollar.

Clackmannan

A peaceful village and the perfect place to escape from the crowds, Clackmannan may not be packed with tourist attractions as such, but it does contain a handful of notable sights.

These include the ancient Clackmannan Stone, the 16th-century Tolbooth and the Clackmannan Tower, where Robert Burns was actually knighted in 1787. Buses regularly travel the 18 km / 11 miles here, with the total journey time being around 40 minutes.

Falkirk

A sizeable town situated 16 km / 10 miles away and to the south-east, Falkirk is worth visiting for its simply spectacular rotating boat lift - a true feat of modern engineering opened in 2002 at the cost of more than £17 million. Named the Falkirk Wheel and with a diameter of 35 metres / 115 feet, this lift was created to connect two stretches of canal (the Forth and Clyde Canal, and the Union Canal), which had previously been linked by some 11 individual locks. Crowds regularly gather to watch this spectacle, with canal boats sailing into the top and bottom sections of the wheel and then being transported no less than 24 metres / 79 feet to the alternative stretch of water. The elevated aqueduct has been constructed with semi-circular arches to mirror the curves of the wheel.

Bo'Ness and Kinneil Railway

Address: Bo'Ness Station, Union Street, Bo'Ness, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 01506 822 298
Standing on the Firth of Forth estuary, Bo'Ness is a small town with a big attraction - the Bo'Ness and Kinneil Railway. In operation between April and October, this heritage railway features its very own lovingly restored steam locomotives and carriages, which transport passengers between Kinneil Station and Birkhill Station. At the central Bo'Ness Station you may like to visit the free railway exhibition while you wait for the train to arrive. The price of a train ticket also includes admission to the Birkhill Fireclay Mine, in the Avon Gorge.
Open hours: April to October - seasonal variations
Admission: charge, discounts available for children, discounted return tickets available

Fife

Still known to many as the Kingdom of Fife, this former Scottish county resides between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay. There are numerous interesting attractions to visit within Fife, namely the town of Culross and its palace, the seaside resort of Aberdour, and the charming village of Falkland, beneath the Lomond Hills. Also of note are the villages of Anstruther, Crail, Earlsferry, Elie and Pittenweem, as well as the Scottish golfing capital of St. Andrews.

Kinross and Loch Leven

At 39 km / 24 miles to the north-east of Stirling, Kinross is generally passed through by those en route to the Loch Leven Castle. This 14th-century landmark was once a prison and fortress, with its most famous captive ever held being Mary, Queen of Scots, who was incarcerated here in the middle of the 16th century. Although the castle no longer has a roof, the remains are in a good general state of repair. Just off the M90, the nearby Heart of Scotland Tourist Office is worthy of a visit if you are in this area.

Strathearn

The area of Strathearn, to the west of Stirling, is made up of a mixture of agricultural land, lochs and green hillsides. Plenty of small and alluring villages live in Strathearn, such as Auchterarder, Dunning, Comrie, Crieff and St. Fillians, all of which enjoy high visitor numbers during the summer months. Choose between a guided tour of the Tullibardine Scotch whisky distillery at Auchterarder, lunch at the eccentric Kirkstyle Inn at Dunning, the Famous Grouse Experience at Crieff's Glenturret Distillery, and a pleasant walk around Loch Earn, next to St. Fillans.

Perth

Sited just off the M90 and boasting an attractive valley setting, the market town of Perth is some 53 km / 33 miles to the north-east. Most people choose to come to Perth to see the neighbouring historic 16th-century Scone Palace and its numerous period features, although the magnificent Georgian architecture lining the River Tay is worth experiencing in the flesh as well. Also of note is the JD Fergusson Gallery at Perth's former waterworks, and St. John's Kirk, an ancient church with origins in the early part of the 12th century.