Stirling

From Imakoopedia

Stirling is one of Scotland's most historic cities. It is also one of 32 council regions in Scotland (see Stirling (Region)). In 2002, Stirling was granted the city status by Queen Elizabeth II.

Table of contents

1 Understand 2 Get in 3 Get around 4 See 5 Do 6 Buy 7 Eat 8 Drink 8.1 Clubs 8.2 Bars 9 Sleep 9.1 Budget 10 Contact 11 Cope 12 Get out 13 External links

Understand

Also known as "The Gateway To The Highlands", Stirling used to be the only connection to the Highlands and has therefore a significant position in history. Major battles for Scottish independence took place in and around Stirling. Stirling Castle is one of the great royal residences of Scottish history.

Get in

• From Edinburgh you can get to Stirling either by bus, which runs every hour or by train. The Citylink bus costs £4 and takes about an hour, departing from the bus station at St Andrew Square.
• From Glasgow buses also run hourly and take about 45 minutes. Trains departure more often, with a slight gain in travel time over the bus.
• Easily reachable by car from both Glasgow and Edinburgh (using the M9).

Get around

There are several buses leaving to towns close by. In summer there is a sightseeing bus which is a cheap way to get to the sights, as you can "hop on and off" at any time.

See

• Stirling Castle, at the head of Stirling's old town. One of the best preserved castle in Scotland, it features the Great Hall, the Palace (which is closed until the end of 2005 for research) and the Royal Chapel. In summertime, the castle is crowded with tourist and therefor lacks the medieval flair. Opened all year. Parking in front of the castle available, but it is cheaper to park somewhere in the city. £8.00/2.00/6.00 (Adult/Child/Reduced) Historic Scotland information (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index/properties_sites_detail?propertyID=PL_275)
• Wallace Monument, Abbey Craig (1 mile North East of Stirling), 01786 472140. Rising on a hill above Stirling, this monument honours William Wallace who led the Scottish to victory over the English. Inside you can find various displays about the Battle of Stirling Bridge and about important Scottish persons. You have a great view over Stirling and its surroundings from the top. Opened all year until at least 4pm. £3.95/2.75/3.00 (Adult/Child, Senior/Student)
• Cambuskenneth Abbey. Ruin of an abbey with only the bell tower remaining. You can see the grave of Margaret of Denmark and James III on this site. The site can be entered at all times. Historic Scotland information (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail.htm?propertyID=PL_052)
• Stirling Old Bridge. Site of one of the major battles where Scotland (under the lead of William Wallace) defeated the English in the struggle for Scottish independence. Although this is not the original bridge, which was made of wood, it gives a good impression on where the battle may have been. Historic Scotland information (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail.htm?propertyID=PL_279)
• Church of the Holy Rude, at the head of St John Street. Beautiful church with impressive stained glass. No admission fee, but donations welcome.
• Bannockburn, Glasgow Road, Stirling, 01786 812664. The battlefield is the site of another major victory for the Scottish over the English in 1314. The Bannockburn Heritage Centre gives you detailed information about the battle on well designed displays. A path leads to a statue of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, who led the Scottish forces. From the statue you have a great overview of the landscape. Nation Trust of Scotland information (http://www.nts.org.uk/web/site/home/visit/places/Property.asp?PropID=10061&NavPage=10061&NavId=5113)
• Argyll's Lodging, Castle Wynd (on the right as you approach the castle). The well preserved 17th century town house, erected by the 1st earl of Stirling, is a fine example of renaissance architecture. Admission fee included in Stirling Castle ticket. Historic Scotland information (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail.htm?propertyID=PL_276)

Do

• Hillwalking -- behind the university (near Bridge of Allan) is a path up to a hill with a summit cross.

Buy

Eat

• Jimmy Chung's, 14 Friars Street, 01786 469911 (jcstirling04@hotmail.com). A Chinese restaurant with offers buffets at fixed prices (e.g. all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet) 7 days a week. Menu and prices (http://www.jimmychungs.com/)
• Hot & Spicy, Barnton Street. Tasty food to go.

Drink

Clubs

Stirling has three night-clubs, all of which require you to be at least 18 and to have proper ID with you. Usually, the bouncers won't let you in with sneakers, but you can try.

• The Yard. A club containing one big room with dancing-poles, pool-tables and DJ. Pop and mainstream music; no entrance fee, but rather expensive.
• Fubar Club, 6 Maxwell Place (right next to the post office), 01786 472619. You have to be at least 21 years of age. Fubar Homepage (http://www.clg.co.uk/fubar/)
• Enigma Night Club, Baker Street, 01786 464904. You have to be at least 21 years of age, DJ.

Bars

• Nicky-Tams, 29 Bakers Street. A bar with a friendly atmosphere, mostly visited by students of the university. Wednesdays 9pm is jam night, Saturday 5pm local musicians are featured. Beer ~ £2.30.
• Pivo, Corn Exchange Road. A Czech bar with bouncer, so be dressed properly. Rather a "cool & trendy" place with a good selection of Czech and international beers.

Sleep

Budget

• Stirling Youth Hostel, St John Street (turn 2nd left after Highland Hotel), 0870 004 1149 (stirling@shya.co.uk). Built behind the facade of an old church, it offers 2 to 6-bedded rooms, good self-catering kitchen, internet, friendly staff and TV-room. Book ahead during summer. £11.50-13.50/5.00-11.50 (Adult/Child). Opened all year. SYHA Listing for Stirling (http://syha.org.uk/syha/Web/Site/Hostels/Stirling.asp)
• Willy Wallace Backpackers Hostel, 77 Murray Place, 446773 (manager@willywallace.f9.co.uk). Located in the center of the old town, mixed dorms, lounge. £12.00-15.00. Hostel information and booking (http://www.willywallacehostel.co.uk)

Contact

• Stirling Central Library, Corn Exchange Road. Several computer with free internet access available, though you may need to join a queue. Open Mo-Sa until at least 5pm.

Cope

• TIC, 41 Dumbarton Rd, 08707-200620 (stirlingtic@aillst.ossian.net)
• Post Office, Barnton Street.

Get out

• Bridge of Allan. A town north-west of Stirling which is nice to walk around.
• Castle Campbell, Dollar (10 miles east of Stirling on the A91), 01259 742408. A 15th century castle. It takes about 30-40 minutes to walk up to the castle, which is situated on top of the Dollar Glen. Quite difficult to ride up with a bike, as the way is quite steep. With the car, you can park a five-minute walk away from the castle. Historic Scotland information (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail.htm?propertyID=PL_058)
• Doune Castle, Doune (10 miles northwest of Stirling off the A84), 01786 841742. 14th century castle with a great view over the landscape. Take a walk along a river right behind the castle. Historic Scotland information (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/properties_sites_detail.htm?propertyID=PL_092)
• Dunblane Cathedral, Dunblane. An impressive cathedral with an early Pictish stone found on the site.

External links

• Stirling Council (http://www.stirling.gov.uk/) - the local municipal website