Stirling Attractions

The stone pineapple in Dunmore Park near Airth, about 7mi/11.2km southeast of Stirling, arouses considerable curiosity. This bizarre structure forms the dome of a building in the garden, which was completed in 1761 by Sir William Chambers.

William Alexander of Menstrie, founder of the Scottish colony of Nova Scotia in North America, built this town house on Castle Wynd. About 1632 it was acquired by the Earl of Stirling, Governor of Nova Scotia, but some 24 years later the Renaissance house passed to the Earl of Argyll, whose name it now bears.

Barely 2mi/3km south of Stirling on the A872 between the Pelstream and Bannockburn rivers lie the fields and meadows where in 1314 the great battle for Scottish independence took place. This historic site has been managed by the National Trust for Scotland since 1932. The area is now pleasantly laid out and a Visitor Centre providing background information on the battle has been built.

It is possible to drive through the Blair Drummond Safari Park (4mi/6.4km to the northwest of Stirling) and observe the wild animals at close quarters. Children will probably most enjoy the sea lion performances, but boat trips and guided walks are also available.

In 1140 David I founded the Augustinian abbey at Cambuskenneth (1mi/1.6km to the east of Stirling) and the Scottish parliament met there a number of times in 1326. James III and his wife Margaret of Denmark were buried at Cambuskenneth in the 15th century. In 1604 the Earl of Mar decided to use the stones from the abbey for his town residence, so now only a tower and the church's west portal remain.

Situated in the delightful Dollar Glen 1mi/1.6km north of Dollar (pop. 2,500), Castle Campbell was originally known as Castle Gloom. Built by the first Earl of Argyll at the end of the 15th C, it was burnt down by Cromwell's army in 1650. Nonetheless, the courtyard and Great Hall are worth inspecting.

Dollar is located northeast of Stirling on the A91. Its wooded glen provides a spectacular walk to Castle Campbell.

This simple memorial cairn to R.B. Cunninghame, a noted author, was constructed in 1937 after his death, but moved to its current location in 1981.

Located in Kippen Stirling, Kippen Smiddy is a typical rural, early 18th century blacksmith's shop. The shop formed part of a dwelling-house occupied by the same family of smiths from 1721 to 1986.

The house contains many authentic tools and artifacts.

The former town residence of the Earl of Mar at one end of Broad Street was built in Renaissance style in 1570 but was destroyed by the Jacobites in 1746.

Menstrie Castle was the birthplace of Sir William Alexander, Jame's VI's Lieutenant for the Plantation of Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Commemoration Room tells the story of this ill-fated scheme.

This annual traditional festival takes place in mid-October. Events aim to promote the Gaelic language and include choral concerts, dance performances and poetry readings.

The medieval stone bridge (ca. 1400) over the Forth at the north end of Stirling should not be confused with the bridge about 100yd/100m further up river which gave its name to the battle of 1297.

Port of Menteith is located on the A873 to the west of Stirling.

Inchmahome Priory is located near Port of Menteith. It was founded for Austin Canons in 1238 on an island in Lake of Menteith.

This annual week-long festival takes place in mid-July, focusing on Scottish customs and traditions. Pipe bands, Highland dancing, fiddling and ceilidhs are only some of the events included in the full program.

King Street, now pedestrianized, and the Thistle Shopping Centre opposite the railway station offer the best choice of shops.

Along Broad St in Stirling lies Norrie's House (17th century) followed by the Tolbooth, former prison which was built between 1703 and 1706 and extended between 1806 and 1811.

It now serves as a music and arts venue.