We will introduce you to the history of this medieval city, which is more than 3000 years old. We will walk through its most picturesque streets, such as the Royal Mile, Chambers Street or Victoria Street. Learn about the alleys where people lived in the 17th century. We will tell you how they died during the Black Death and about the beaked doctors who tried to cure them. Exciting stories await you!


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Edinburgh

Best Tours in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Walking Tours

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Edinburgh’s Old Town Historical Walking Tour

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Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour

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Scotch Whisky tasting - Scotland's True Spirit

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Edinburgh Free Tour

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Mysteries, witchery and murders

Edinburgh Ghost Walking Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders

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Walking Tours in Edinburgh

Private Walking Tours in Edinburgh

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Private whisky tasting

Luxury and private whisky tasting – Glasshouse Hotel

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Edinburgh Castle Tour

Private Edinburgh Castle Tour

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Mysteries, Witchery and Murders 

Private Mysteries, Witchery and Murders Tour

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Edinburgh Christmas Walking Tour

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Experience Summer Ceilidh

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Edinburgh Airport Private Transfer | Reliable, Exclusive & Comfortable

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Private tours across Scotland

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The Best Night Out in Scotland!

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Edinburgh Halloween Ghost Walking Tour

**Glasgow** is currently one of the most visited cities in the United Kingdom and not many decades ago it was one of the most important cities of the Industrial Revolution, although today only remnants of that past remain.


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Glasgow

Guide tours and free tours in Glasgow

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Glasgow Airport Private Transfer | Reliable, Exclusive & Comfortable

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Glasgow Free Walking Tour

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Glasgow Whisky Tasting Tour | Explore Scottish Whisky Heritage

Actividades al aire libre cerca de Edimburgo, Escocia

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Outdoor Experiences Edinburgh: open air activities and outdoor skills next to the city

## Christmas in Glasgow
Glasgow, vibrant and cosmopolitan, is **the largest city in all of Scotland** and, as such, it enjoys Christmas celebrations filled with music, light, and special events to match the circumstances.

Christmas in Glasgow revolves around its **Winterfest**, which every year attracts to the elegant George Square and the rest of the city's urban core activities reflecting the season, special lights, and everything that is needed for the long winter nights to feel much warmer, more special, and welcoming. You cannot miss out on it for anything in the world!

The city also features plenty of cultural attractions, such as **urban art murals, museums, landmarks, nature environments, and monuments** that you can get to know very easily with a [free tour in English](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-glasgow). In that way, you will know how to get around in Glasgow during the rest of your stay!

## Main Christmas events in Glasgow

Even though Christmas events in Glasgow can be typically found in the centrally located George Square and its surroundings, **the central market has been cancelled for this year, 2025**. But fret not! Here, we will show you **three alternative locations** in which you will be able **to enjoy Christmas in Glasgow**.

**Glasgow Winter Wonderland** will set up two Christmas markets in its traditional locations in St. Enoch Square and Glasgow Green, from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Besides the usual stalls featuring handcrafts, food, and drinks, as well as **Santa's Cave**, you will also find an ice skating rink and, even better, a whole lot of attractions and several panoramic wheels from whence you will be able to watch the city lights! 
[Find out about all the events and attractions in the Glasgow Winter Wonderland here](https://www.glasgowswinterwonderland.com/).

At last, the **Glasgow Fort Christmas Market**, in the outskirts of the capital, will open its gates **from November 20 to December 31**, and it will feature activities such as a traditional market with gifts and handcrafts, food and drink stalls, attractions for kids and grown ups, and the special event **Kevin’s Christmas Adventure: Lost in The Fort!**, with games, raffles, music, and fun for the whole family.

## The best activities for your Christmas nights out

Although, at first sight, it could be thought that December nights are the least appropriate time in the world to enjoy and relish unique experiences, people in Glasgow have everything planned out for you to go to bed as late as you wish to, after having visited all of the night-time attractions that the city offers.

For starters, you cannot miss out on the **special lights in the City Chambers**, which will be open for you every day up until 10 PM. Afterwards, you may opt for a unique Christmas supper in any of the excellent restaurants and eateries in the city, which is renowned for its international and vegan cuisine. Try venues such as **Opium, Paesano, or the Glasvegan**. You will find Christmas menus offering you Scottish **delicacies all along the way**!

Another excellent idea for a **Christmas night out in Glasgow** is to call it a **night by taking shelter** in pubs as cosy and traditional as the **Waxy O'Connors or Clutha Bar**, where, if you get a bit lucky, you will be able to enjoy **live music** besides, of course, some fine **pints of beer** to warm you up.


## Cultural festivities and Christmas traditions

Should you be on the lookout for more cultural options to enjoy Christmas in Glasgow, I suggest that you **book your tickets for the Royal Concert Halls**, since they have **special Christmas shows for kids and also adults alike**. If you are looking for a similar activity, but much more on the romantic side, then you cannot miss out on the **candlelit concert** that will be held on **December 22 aboard the Glenlee**, an old, open boat anchored right next to the Riverside Museum.

As for the rest of it, one of the **most peculiar Christmas traditions** that can be found in Glasgow is the **carnival** held every year in the month of December by **Irn Bru**, the flagship Scottish refreshment, barring the much **more elegant whisky**. There will be attractions for children of all ages, including older ones, so do not miss out on it if you are going to visit the city!

## A winter shopping guide to Glasgow

If you are going to be in town during the month of December, you will not want to leave without doing some **Christmas shopping in Glasgow**. The truth is that you will be lucky, since a beautiful tradition in the city is the **manufacturing and selling of handcrafts in flea markets**, of which **Rags to Riches**, the best and most famous one, is set up **every month of December in Southside**. This flea market encompasses over one hundred local craftspeople and traders, and it focuses on the sustainability of its products and their manufacturing processes.

On the other hand, should you be looking after more general and typical wintertime shopping, **you need to go to Barras Market** in order to find **vintage stuff**, to Buchanan Street for clothes and complements, to Hector Russell for the best kilts in town, or to **Argyll Arcade** for the most delicate pieces of **traditional jewellery**.

Whatever your plans are for this Christmastime in Glasgow, do not forget your cap and gloves, and set some extra time aside to enjoy its Winterfest and, since you are in one of the most interesting cities in Scotland, take the chance to join a wonderful [free tour in English](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-glasgow/glasgow-free-tour) at Scotland City Tours.

**Merry Christmas, and enjoy your time in Glasgow!**


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 A complete guide to Christmas Nights in Glasgow

## **Edinburgh at Christmas: A Fairytale Setting**
The fact that the capital of Scotland is one of the most famous, vibrant, and beautiful in Europe might not surprise anyone anymore, but perhaps what's surprising is that **Edinburgh at Christmas** is one of the most charming places to visit in the world at this time of the year. 

Like a story unfolding, from late November to the celebration of **Hogmanay** (the Scottish New Year), Edinburgh dresses up with **Christmas markets**, special events, concerts and plays, meticulously decorated Christmas trees, and the wonderful seasonal lighting of the castle. 

You can't miss Edinburgh at Christmas, and if you're not convinced yet, keep reading to learn all the reasons you have to book your trip as soon as possible.

![Edinburgh-navidad-diciembre.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Edinburgh_navidad_diciembre_b89c215efa.jpg)

## **Christmas Markets in Edinburgh: Tradition and Modernity**
Edinburgh's Christmas markets are among the most famous in the UK and even Europe, for very good reasons. Not only do their aesthetics, craft stalls, and attractions make them irresistible for Christmas-loving travellers, but they are framed by the elegant streets and gardens of the New Town and the ever-beautiful and watchful silhouette of the castle.

It's interesting that **Edinburgh's Christmas markets** are so popular considering that this festivity, **once celebrated as Yule**, was prohibited by the Presbyterian Church for a long time. It only became an official holiday in 1958, with celebrations focusing much more on Hogmanay until then. It's a fact that often surprises visitors!

Perhaps precisely because of that prohibition, Scots nowadays go all out for Christmas, embracing all its traditions and events, as seen in Edinburgh's Christmas markets.
![Edinburgh-mercado-navidad-diciembre.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Edinburgh_mercado_navidad_diciembre_b6c7bee79c.jpg)

## **What to See in Edinburgh During December: Attractions and Activities**
As mentioned earlier, **Edinburgh in December**, far from being a dull and sleepy winter city, **is a lively, bustling place full of original activities** suitable for any type of travel group.

Some of the attractions and events you can find in Edinburgh this Christmas, besides the **Christmas markets**, include the special lighting of the castle known as **Castle of Light**, Christmas at the Botanics in the Botanic Garden, the **International Magic Festival**, traditional dances with the Edinburgh ceilidh club, the **special Polar Express train** from Waverley station, and, if you stay until New Year's, the **fantastic Scottish Hogmanay**. 

Don't miss heading to **The Mound** to admire the **giant illuminated Christmas tree** installed there every year. This tree holds significant historical meaning as it's a gift from the Vestland province in Norway, given to Edinburgh every Christmas since 1947 to celebrate the cultural ties between Scotland and Scandinavia. A tradition filled with warmth! 

Moreover, if you're wondering what to see in Edinburgh in December in general, you can't miss visits to the castle (which hosts very special characters during these dates), Holyrood Palace, the National Museum of Scotland, and the highlights of the Old Town, such as the Royal Mile, Grassmarket Square, or the historic Greyfriars Cemetery. The best way to explore all these places comfortably is with an [English-speaking walking tour!](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/edinburgh-christmas-tour)l! 
![the-dome-christmas-edinburgh-december.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/the_dome_christmas_edinburgh_december_b2a1f67d4f.jpg)

## **Plan Your Visit to the Edinburgh Christmas Market**
There are several Christmas markets in Edinburgh you can visit, but undoubtedly, **the largest and most famous of all is the one on East Princes Street in the New Town**. 

**Open from November 15, 2025, to January 4, 2026**, the East Princes Street Christmas market in Edinburgh offers visitors the experience of the most charming and traditional German market, with dozens of craft and gift stalls and plenty of places to **taste gastronomic delights and drinks like mulled wine or spiced mulled cider**. 

If you visit this market **with children**, you'll find many attractions for them. What they surely won't want to miss is **Santa's Grotto to place their favourite gift orders**. For travellers who are no longer children but enjoy thrills, there are always popular **star flyers**, and for everyone in general, **the giant Ferris wheel**, which offers **wonderful panoramic views of a fairytale-like Edinburgh**. If you're lucky, you might see it covered in snow!

Other Christmas markets in Edinburgh you can explore include those on George Street (hard to miss, as it's next to the above-mentioned one and is where the ice skating rink is usually located and, this year, a **Polar Ice Bar**), on **Castle Street**, and at **Summerhall**. If you're in the city on Sundays, the traditional **Farmer's Markets in Grassmarket** and Stockbridge also dress up in bright colours in December and are well worth a visit.

¡[Find out about all of the events for this Christmas in Edinburgh here!](https://edwinterfest.com/edinburgh-christmas)!
![mercado de Navidad de Colonia.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/mercado_de_Navidad_de_Colonia_fd1569b33c.jpg)

## **How to Make Your Trip to Edinburgh a Unique Experience**

Edinburgh at Christmas is full of good vibes, fun, Christmas markets, and special events in an incomparable architectural setting, so **take at least three days to fully enjoy the city**. This way, you'll have plenty of time to explore its streets, monuments, and even its theatres, which showcase pantomimes, a typical Scottish show that's truly original during these dates.

In conclusion, if you want to visit Edinburgh and its wonderful East Princes Street Christmas market, as well as enjoying the rest of the season's events and attractions, book your flights, accommodations, guided visits and free tours now... 

And get ready to experience a magical Scottish Christmas!


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Edinburgh at Christmas: A Guide to Enjoying the Festive Spirit

This show, based on the namesake novel by [Diana Gabaldon](https://www.amazon.es/s?k=saga+forastera+diana+gabaldon&i=digital-text&language=en_US&__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=3EYH7Z3JHOMY9&linkCode=ll2&linkId=cbec271ebb8ad61364f7081ee41b68ac&sprefix=saga++fo%2Cdigital-text%2C177&tag=carlospaz-21&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_7), tells us about **the adventures of Claire Randall,** a married nurse during World War II, who suddenly finds herself in **1743** Scotland, where she runs into the Jacobite uprisings and a handsome warrior from the **Highlands, Jamie Fraser**. If you want to know more, I suggest that you watch it, especially for its spectacular views (not only of the wonderful landscapes in these lands).

And now you must be wondering: what does all of this have to do with [Stirling](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/things-to-see-and-do-in-stirling)? Quite a bit, both within and outside fiction. You see, the city of Stirling has been one of the locations for the filming of the series, as well as the main actor of a long siege during the **Jacobite uprisings of 1745**, during which the series is set. Let us begin with the events that went around in those bygone times with a brief history lesson.

The **Jacobite uprisings were a series of revolts, rebellions, and wars** that took place in the British Isles between 1688 and 1746, whose goal was to return the throne to king James II of England, from the universally known **House of Stuart**, hence the name **Jacobite** by which the instigators of these revolts are known.

The **Jacobites** were mostly Irishmen and Scotsmen from the **Highlands**, Catholics who did not resign to handing **Protestants** access to the throne and power. But **it was in Scotland** where the highest number of uprisings took place, the latest one happening in 1745 in favor of **Bonnie Prince Charlie**. The latter gathered an army, mostly comprising clans from the Highlands, with which he took over [Edinburgh](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/things-to-do-and-see-in-edinburgh) and attempted to conquer all of **Scotland**.

It is then that **they arrive in Stirling**, the gateway to the **Highlands**, and they attempt to seize the city castle, unsuccessfully, despite keeping it under a state of siege for nearly a month, between January and February, 1746. This defeat in Stirling was the beginning of the end for the **Jacobites**, which would culminate with the **Battle of Culloden**, one of the cruelest to be remembered, and the last one fought in British ground up until today.

But let us now go back to present day Stirling, the one that has been an **Outlander** location, and even appeared on **Game of Thrones**. Where can we find these filming locations? Well, most of them can be found within or next to the University of Stirling (in which **Sam Heughan**, the actor who brings Jamie Fraser alive, has been recently named as an Honorary Graduate), and they are as follows:

## Pathfoot Buidling
This building, erected in 1967, can be found in the new campus of the University of Stirling, close to the main entrance. It makes an appearance in season two of the series as “**Inverness College**”.

## Dumyat
At the end of the university campus, an abandoned country cottage can be found with a spectacular view on Dumyat hill. This picture perfect location was used as a village in season one.

In order to find the following locations, we need to travel around 12 kilometers (roughly 7 ½ miles) away from Stirling, where they are found:

## Doune Castle
In the series, it is shown as **Castle Leoch** in season one, as the home of **Colum MacKenzie** and his clan in the 1600s. This castle has also **appeared on Game of Thrones and Monthy Python and the Holy Grail**.

![doune-castle.jpeg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/doune_castle_42711a39d9.jpeg)

## Deanston Distillery
Very close to Doune Castle, on river Teith and the entrance to Loch Lomond, this distillery can be found, which was formerly a **cotton factory**, even though it shifted to producing **[whisky](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/how-is-whisky-made)** in 1965 (which was undoubtedly more profitable). In season two of the series, the distillery is presented as the wine cellar that Jamie’s cousin, Jared, runs in the port of Le Havre.


To finish off our brief walk through history and Stirling, you may find here this map by [Visit Scotland](https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/attractions/tv-film/outlander/) in which all **Outlander** locations, both in Stirling as well as in other parts of **Scotland**, are marked, just in case you might wish to recreate any other of your favorite scenes.


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Outlander filming locations

It has always been said that battles are told from the perspective of the winning side, and the [battles of Bannockburn](https://somosescocia.com/blog/batalla-de-bannockburn) and [Stirling Bridge](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/Battle-of-Stirling-Bridge) can be counted among those. But, in order to provide some background, we need to go back a few years. More precisely, to the year 1286, when **king Alexander III** died in a horse riding accident. The worst thing about this is not that the king of Scotland had died, but the fact that his son and heir had passed away about two years before that. The next one in the succession line to the throne was one of his granddaughters, Margaret, the Maid of Norway; however, during the journey from Norway to Scotland to take the crown as queen, she would also perish.

![Lerwick Town Hall stained glass window depicting “Margaret, queen of Scotland and daughter of Norway”.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Lerwick_Town_Hall_stained_glass_window_depicting_Margaret_queen_of_Scotland_and_daughter_of_Norway_12a3a25bf9.jpg)
_Stained glass in the town hall of Lerwick (Shetland, Scotland). “Margaret, queen of Scotland and Maid of Norway”"_

After this misfortune, Scottish noblemen would fight for the throne, since Alexander III had no further heirs. In 1292, **John Balliol** would be elected to be the **new king of Scotland**, cherry-picked by Edward I of England. Since the noblemen did not seem able to reach an agreement, they sought the assistance of the English king to make a decision. That is how Balliol was chosen because he was the weakest of all candidates, one that Edward could rule over and treat as a vassal, and so Scotland fell under the domain of its archenemy. But John I of Scotland would turn out to be smarter than he seemed, and thus he signed an alliance with France, **The Auld Alliance**, in order to stand up to England. This would cost John Balliol the throne, since he would be ousted four years after his crowning by the very English.

![john balliol rey de Escocia.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/john_balliol_rey_de_Escocia_7cb1e76ef0.jpg)
_John Balliol, king of Scotland (source: Pinterest)_

The following years would be quite complicated, since Scotland was still smothered by the English yoke. In 1297, **William Wallace and Andrew Moray** would lead an army of 2 500 farmers and peasants into a battle against 10 000 English soldiers in the [Battle of Stirling Bridge](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/Battle-of-Stirling-Bridge). This battle would be won by the Scots. In this way, Wallace would embody the hope to retrieve his country’s independence, but he ran away to France after losing the **Battle of Falkirk in 1298** and, just a few years later, he would return to Scotland, where he was betrayed, delivered to the English, and tortured to death.

![Batalla del Puente de Stirling.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Batalla_del_Puente_de_Stirling_4368805716.jpg)
_<center>Battle of Stirling Bridge</center>_


**Robert the Bruce** picks up Wallace’s lead as **Guardian of Scotland**. In the year 1306 he was crowned as king, but he suffered several defeats owing to the brutality of the English, during which his army was severely decimated, and thus he was forced to flee as an outlaw. He sought refuge in a cave in Rathlin Island, in the north of Ireland. The legend says that, during his confinement, Bruce took notice of a very **persevering spider**, and he watched how it weaved its web over and over again, to no avail. It is said that this inspired him to keep on fighting against the English. Six times did the wind blow the spider’s cobweb away, six times it failed, the same number of battles that he had lost. But it did not give up and, on the seventh try, the spider succeeded in weaving a cobweb that not even the wind could tear down. If the spider had risen victorious on its seventh attempt, why could he not do the same?

In **1307, Robert the Bruce would return to Scotland** and, this time around, luck would be on his side. In that very same year, the **English king, Edward I, would die**. The heir to the throne, Edward II, was not interested in Scotland the same way his father was. Taking advantage of this, Bruce took the lead and, throughout the years to come, he would gradually begin to regain control of his country. **He started to win back castles, and he destroyed them** so that the English could never make any use of them again.

Seven years after returning from his exile, in **1314, Robert the Bruce had reconquered nearly all of Scotland.** Except for Stirling Castle, the most strategic of all, which was still in the hands of the English. Edward II of England had to teach those Scots a lesson; he departed to the north with 20 000 infantry soldiers and 3 000 knights, where he would be awaited by 7 000 brave soldiers along with their king, **Robert I of Scotland**, who led the way.

What happened during this battle would be the end of English dominion, since Robert the Bruce would win a [battle that lasted for two days](https://somosescocia.com/blog/batalla-de-bannockburn), July 23 and 24 of year 1314, thanks to a poor management of the battle strategy on the English side, and a wonderful layout and fighting as a single block on the Scottish side. 

![bannockburn.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/bannockburn_f0e4474916.jpg)
_Battle of Bannockburn, 1314, on the second day, the Earl of Gloucester charging against Edward Bruce’s schiltron. Author: Mark Churms._

Politically speaking, the **de facto independence of Scotland had been won**, and the **ruling of Robert I of Scotland** had been consolidated. On April 6, 1320, the **Declaration of Arbroath** was sent to Pope John XXII, in which Scotland demanded to be an independent and sovereign state, although independence would not be recognized until 1328.

![declaración de Arbroth.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/declaracion_de_Arbroth_a82d89acd2.jpg)
_Declaration of Arbroath._

**“As long as one hundred Scots remain alive, we will never, under any condition, be submitted to the English domain. For it is not for glory, nor riches, nor honor that we are fighting for, but for freedom itself, which no honest man would sacrifice but at the cost of his own life.”**

 The humble part about this feat is that the history of Scotland is marked by **the legend of a tiny spider**.

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Wars of Scottish Independence

[**Stirling**](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/reasons-to-visit-stirling) is a small city of around 94 000 inhabitants, nestled in Scotland’s central region. In the beginning, it was little more than a burgh engulfing [**Castillo de Stirling**](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/fun-facts-stirling-castle), although, as time went by, it even came to be Scotland’s capital for a while.


### **From Edinburgh**


By road::

The fastest route from [**Edinburgh**](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/things-to-do-and-see-in-edinburgh) to Stirling is to follow the M9 for about 55 minutes, depending on the traffic. [Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Edinburgh/Stirling+FK8+2BY/@56.0029385,-4.1097932,9z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x4887b800a5982623:0x64f2147b7ce71727!2m2!1d-3.188267!2d55.953252!1m5!1m1!1s0x488862bfe1c7db3b:0x7b1bbad87a77927e!2m2!1d-3.9355603!2d56.1198154!3e0).

However, should you prefer to avoid having to drive while remembering all the time to stay in the left lane, we still have some more options left.

Train:
In order to reach **Stirling** from **Edinburgh** by train, one must head towards Waverley Station. From there, about 45 trains on average depart, bound for Stirling, on a working day, and the trip typically **takes about 50 minutes**, although it can take a bit longer on a weekend or during the holidays. 

Watch out! Because, even though it is usually a direct route, you may need to make a transfer at some point during your journey, so keep an eye open!

**Tickets from Edinburgh to Stirling cost around £12**, although they may end up being cheaper or more expensive depending on how far in advance you purchase them. If you buy them three months in advance, they will be cheaper than they would be if you booked them on the very same day of your trip, for instance. Prices may also shift depending on the time of the day that you wish to travel, which route, and which class you book.

| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Off-peak return | £12.60 |
| Billete de ida | £12.10 |

_Prices in this table are only for one way trips, unless it says otherwise. Prices for buyers in advance are subject to availability, and its cost may vary._


**The most affordable option**, if you purchase your tickets right before your journey, is the return ticket during off-peak hours (off-peak return). They are available all day long on Saturdays and Sundays, and from Monday to Friday as of 9:15 in the morning, except for trains departing from Edinburgh **between 16:30 and 18:00.**

This is the web to book your train ticket [TRAINLINE](https://www.thetrainline.com/es)

Bus:
at last, you also have the bus option, which is much more affordable (**approximately £4 - £11 per person**), even though it is also the slowest one. Here, we will find the following three options, all of which depart from Edinburgh Bus Station, **next to St. Andrews Square**.

![Estación de autobuses Edimburgo.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Estacion_de_autobuses_Edimburgo_4797c28ba8.jpg)

1 . [Bus number 909](https://bustimes.org/services/909-edinburgh-stirling-university-or-dunblane): This one is a bit more direct, and it only takes an hour and twenty minutes to get there, more or less, although it only departs once an hour.

![Glasgow Estación de autobuses.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Glasgow_Estacion_de_autobuses_3c23e67154.jpg)

2 . [Megabus](https://uk.megabus.com/): This is a hugely famous bus company here in Scotland, which offers bus tickets at a very reasonable price to a wide array of cities within the island, so it is always advisable to have a look at it, even if you do not wish to travel to Stirling.

 

### **From Glasgow**

By road:
The most direct route from Glasgow to Stirling by road is the M80, which will take about 35 minutes depending on the traffic.

Train:
there are two train stations in Glasgow: Glasgow Central, and Queen Street station, the latter being the main one, as well as the one we will focus on, since the trip from Glasgow Central involves taking a train up to Queen Street, and making a transfer there, bound for Stirling.

**From Queen Street**, about 60 trains depart every day heading for Stirling, and the average duration of the trip is around half an hour, although trains can be slower if it is a weekend day, or holidays.

Once again, it usually is a direct route, but it is best to pay attention to the speakers, just in case you might need to make any unexpected changes.

Tickets from Glasgow to Stirling cost around £10.70, even though, just as it happens if you travel from Edinburgh, depending on how far in advance you buy them, the time of the day that you wish to travel, the route, and the class that you book, they may end up being more or less expensive. But the most affordable option is still to buy a return ticket during off peak hours (off-peak return).

| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Off-peak return | £10.80 |
| One way ticket | £10.70 |
_Prices in the table are only for one way trips, except when it says otherwise. Prices for buyers in advance are subject to availability, and its **cost may vary**._

![Glasgow Queen Street.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Glasgow_Queen_Street_dd49f44703.jpg)

Bus: Should you prefer to take the bus, rather than the train, just as it happens when you travel from Edinburgh to Stirling, you have options such as **Megabus** and **bus 909** which, even though it runs through Edinburgh, it departs from **Buchanan Bus Station** in Glasgow, as well as all others which will be shown as follows. The remaining options available for you are:

![Estación de autobuses Glasgow.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Estacion_de_autobuses_Glasgow_f4cc74e166.jpg)
 
1 . [Bus X36](https://bustimes.org/services/x36-glasgow-stirling): This one, just like bus 83 from Edinburgh, is a line bus. The X makes reference to the fact that it is express, that is, it makes less stops and it (supposedly) takes a shorter time to arrive, even though the trip takes about an hour. They usually depart hourly, although the frequency is fairly higher during peak hour.

![Buchanan Station Glasgow.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Buchanan_Station_Glasgow_34dcfaf5b0.jpg)

2 . [Buses M8/M9/M11](https://www.citylink.co.uk/timetables/Winter19/glasgow-stirling%20summary.pdf): These buses are more direct, and they take about 45 minutes to take us to Stirling, even though they are somewhat more expensive, costing about £6 - £9, and they usually depart once an hour as well.

![Como llegar a Stirling-Glasgow.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Como_llegar_a_Stirling_Glasgow_72026d9421.jpg)

3 . [National express](https://www.nationalexpress.com/es): This would be the most expensive option, as far as buses go, from £8 per person for a one way trip, but they also take 45 minutes to complete their journey. What is the catch? Most of the time, there are only 1 or 2 a day.

![National Express Glasgow.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/National_Express_Glasgow_765d3d5d2d.jpg)

**These are the most affordable or direct options that we have been able to find, although there are surely many others. Should you find any other good, nice, and inexpensive way to get to Stirling, do not hesitate to share it with us, safe journey!**

Como llegar a Stirling.jpg

How to get to Stirling

All of you will probably have seen the movie called Braveheart (and if you still have not, it has been out for over twenty five years!) in which the super famous Scottish hero William Wallace (embodied by Mel Gibson, a full blooded Scotsman) leads Scottish troops into that epic and monumental defeat of the English army, in the wider frame of the First War of Scottish Independence. But, do you remember in which place that famous battle took place? Well, it was no less than in the Stirling Bridge. And it is here, in [Stirling](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/reasons-to-visit-stirling), that you will find the only monument in the whole wide world devoted to this brave heart of Scotland.

The National Wallace Monument is no more and no less than a sandstone tower built in Victorian Neogothic style, standing about 67 meters (around 220 feet) tall. It is nestled upon the highest point of Abbey Craig, in the very same fields where Wallace commanded the Scots into such a historic victory, and it is said that, from it, he watched the English army before the [Battle of Stirling Bridge](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/Battle-of-Stirling-Bridge).

The tower was built thanks to a fundraising campaign, amid a renewed nationalist sentiment in Scotland during the 1800s. Besides this public endorsement, it was also funded by some foreign sponsors, including Italian leader **Giuseppe Garibaldi**. It was completed in 1869, following the designs of architect John Thomas Rochead.

In order to access the monument, it is necessary to climb up to the hill found in the outskirts of the city and, once inside, it consists of three floors featuring exhibitions, plus the crown spire in its uppermost part, from which you will be able to enjoy some impressive views of the surroundings. Each level of the monument can be accessed by means of a spiral staircase with no less than **246 steps**, which also happen to be narrow and steep.

The monument remains open all year long, with a diverse event program including regular shows by actors in costumes during summer months. Your entrance ticket can be purchased directly upon your arrival, or in advance on the Internet, and these are the fees:

Web: [National Wallace Monument](https://www.yourstirling.com/see-do/the-wallace-monument/)

| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | £11.65 |
| Seniors or Students | £8.75 |
| Kids | £6.75 |
| Kids under 5 years | Free |
| Family entrance (from) | £24.25 |
 
 
 
![torre wallace otoño.jpeg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/torre_wallace_otono_e5d9ade4cc.jpeg)

Once indoors, you will find your way up the tower, towards the crown, and you will be able to see that every floor tells the story of this **national hero of Scotland**, as well as showing us how his partaking in Scottish history has been acknowledged throughout many generations. This is what you will find in each one of the levels:

 
## 1. The armory room
This gallery sets the stage to tell us the story of **William Wallace**, placing us in the historical background of the events that took place in 1297, when the Scottish army, **led by Wallace and Andrew of Moray**, faced up to the forces of **King Edward I** of England upon **River Forth**.

In this hall, you will discover how William Wallace emerged from the dark and became the leader of the Scots, as well as how the Battle of Stirling Bridge was fought and won, and the role that Wallace played in the [Wars of Scottish Independence.](https://somosescocia.com/blog/guerras-de-independencia-escocesa).

An unmissable piece in this floor is **the enormous Wallace sword**, which is 1.67 meters (5’ 6”) long, a remarkable symbol for his courage and talent, which has been preserved in the monument since 1888. Although there is something even more outstanding: the fact that this sword was stolen not once, but twice! The first time was in 1936, by Scottish nationalists from the University of Glasgow, and then it happened again in 1972. Luckily enough, the sword was returned both times.

 
![espada.jpeg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/espada_aca2486a6e.jpeg)

<figcaption>William Wallace’s Claymore</figcaption>


## 2. The hero hall
As well as inspiring those who fought beside him, Wallace’s spirit has also inspired generations of Scots in the centuries to come, for his fame has not lost one bit of its strength during all of these years. This gallery also shows how they came to be acknowledged as heroes, and the place they took alongside **William Wallace**.

A special exhibition within this gallery presents us with [Scotland’s female heroes](https://somosescocia.com/blog/mujeres-de-escocia) and it tells the story of **fourteen extraordinary women** whose creativity, kindness, and selfless service have enriched Scottish society, as well as many other countries across the world.
 

## 3. The royal chamber
In the gallery on the third floor, you will be able to discover some facts and figures about the **Battle of Stirling Bridge**. On two special screens, it can be seen which weapons might have been used by both armies, as well as how the battle was fought and won.

In this room, an interactive viewer allows us to see the views that can be observed nowadays from **Abbey Craig**, and then watch them as Wallace would have in 1297, looking through Stirling, with a detailed reconstruction of the landscape and important historical monuments.

## 4. The crown
At last, you will reach the highest point in the monument, from whence you can get a glimpse of a historical landscape: a place where battles were fought and won, as well as the best views Scotland can provide. From Ben Lomond and the **Trossachs** in the west, all the way through the Ochil Hills and the valley of River Forth beyond the city of **Stirling**, until reaching the Pentland hills to the east.

 
![vista.jpeg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/vista_13bbebc56d.jpeg)

 

To bring matters to a close, as previously mentioned, the **National Wallace Monument** is nestled in the outskirts of Stirling, about a 50-minute walk from the heart of the city, but there is also a bus service which departs from Stirling Bus Station, adjacent to the train station. From here, bus 52 departs every thirty minutes as of 8:30 in the morning on working days, and it stops outside the monument.

Despite how far away it is from the center, it will be worth it to have climbed such a number of steps! I am not a huge fan of the movie, there is no denying it, so, to me, it is an almost mandatory visit due to its history, its importance, and because of **William Wallace**.

| Tours and trips |
|---|
| Book the **Stirling Historic Tour** |
| Book the **Stirling Castle Tour** |

| Tours and activities in other cities |
|---|
| Book the [Edinburgh Free Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/edinburgh-free-tour) |
| Book the [Mystery and witch burning free tour in Edinburgh](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/edinburgh-ghost-tour) |
| Book the [Glasgow Free Walking Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-glasgow/glasgow-free-tour) |
| Book the [Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/guided-tour-edinburgh-castle) |
| Book the [The Best Night Out in Scotland!](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/pubcrawl-edinburgh) |

williamwalace.jpeg

National Wallace Monument

![William Wallace vs Mel Gibson.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/William_Wallace_vs_Mel_Gibson_db8643fca1.jpg)
_Mel Gibson, from the film Braveheart & Portrait of William Wallace, 1870_

**What is factually known about William Wallace, as far as genuine information goes, can be written in a single page**. He makes an appearance in several English chronicles, and there is also a document composed by him, bearing his seal, the **Lübeck letter (1297)**. Such a letter was sent to the seafaring harbours of Hamburg and Lübeck, claiming that Scotland was on its way to achieving independence, and that its merchant ports would soon be open. And little more, since everything else which is told about his life comes from an epic poem dating back to 1470, penned by Blind Harry, which is called “**The Wallace**”. It is no more and no less than a literary creation, full of tropes from knight stories which were typical of those times and, stemming from that epic poem, most biographies that we know about William Wallace would be written in the 1800s.

His father's name is not known for sure, although Sir Malcolm Wallace or Sir Allan Wallace are considered as possible options; nothing is known about his childhood, for that matter, nor about his days as a young man, nor his origins, even though it is believed that he could have been born in Elderslie, near Glasgow. It is also thought that he studied theology, and he might also have fought in the war of Wales, owing to his skills with the sword and the bow. As it has been previously wagered, there is nothing but conjectures and assumptions. And what about Wallace's alleged wife? The truth is that her existence has not been proven at all, since the very first time that she was ever mentioned was on a revised edition of Blind Harry's poem back in 1570. It is also though that Wallace could have been 1.90 meters tall (about 6' 3”), since his sword was 1.65 meters long (around 5' 5”), and it weighed 30 kilos (roughly 66 pounds) so, indeed, he must have been sturdy and tall.

![William Wallace.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/William_Wallace_da1eb22b94.jpg)
_Stained glass from the National Wallace Monument, Stirling_

As for **Andrew of Moray**, although he has been mostly forgotten, **there is much more information about him than can be found about William Wallace**. He came from a noble family, one of the most influential in **Scotland**, which had ties to the crown and fought in countless battles. He also rode beside his father during **the Battle of Dunbar**, against the troops of Edward I, and he spent some time imprisoned in the English town of Chester, but he was able to break free, thus returning to northern Scotland and mustering an army with which he stood up to the English, reclaiming [castles](https://somosescocia.com/blog/castillos-de-escocia) such as those in **Inverness or Urquhart**. Wallace had won over a handful of Scottish noblemen after he murder the **sheriff of Lanark**, which caused him to lead a group of rebels into southern Scotland. Moray, once he headed southwards, found out about Wallace's activities, hence joining forces, albeit little is known as to how and under which circumstances they met.

On September 11, year 1297, in the heart of Scotland, [Stirling](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/reasons-to-visit-stirling), on the spot where the [William Wallace monument](https://somosescocia.com/blog/monumento-nacional-de-william-wallace) stands today, Moray and Wallace could be found, devising the strategy on the day before the attack, a strategy which was conceived by Moray, given that his knowledge in the battlefield was far more extensive than Wallace's.

![Monumento de William Wallace.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Monumento_de_William_Wallace_47acf44de6.jpg)
_View of the National Wallace Monument from the Stirling Castle esplanade._

The Earl of Surrey commanded the **English army** alongside the royal treasurer, Cressingham. Neither of them regarded the Scots as a threat, since they outnumbered them four to one: **10 000 soldiers, facing 2 500 farmers and peasants**. Surrey was a great strategist, and he was acquainted with the codes of chivalry, by means of which the enemy had to wait for them to stand in their formation on the battlefield. This is why they decided to cross the bridge of Stirling with their knights; **Moray and Wallace** waited for the English horsemen to cross over to bring down the wooden bridge, hence trapping them between the river and the Scottish army, and their archers took care of the rest. **Cressingham**, the English treasurer, who was fairly hated by the Scots, died in the midst of the battle, and English chronicles tell that the Scotsmen cut him into pieces and shared them; Wallace had a sheath for his sword made with his skin.

![Batalla Puente de Stirling.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Batalla_Puente_de_Stirling_9f9b237dc2.jpg)

**Andrew of Moray and William Wallace would be appointed as Guardians of Scotland**, although Moray did not last long as a guardian of Scotland, since he would pass away just a few weeks later. There are plenty of contradictions regarding Moray's death, since some historians claim that he died during the very battle, whereas others argue that it happened some weeks later.

Wallace may have been forced to keep sending out documents jointly with the name of his late commander, since he made use of him as a shield against the more elitist and traditional circles in Scotland. Without him, **Wallace** would be nothing but a former outlaw, and he would be exposed to the political plots of the noblemen. For Wallace, his lasting association with the name of **Andrew Moray** was a necessity. Only once **Wallace had been appointed as a knight** and **named as a Guardian of Scotland** did it become needless to send letters jointly with Moray.

Another interesting fact is that Moray was involved in the only important battle which was won by Wallace; all others were lost. Unfortunately, both cinema and time have forgotten about this hero, since there are no sculptures of **Andrew Moray**, and the very Scots often ignore who he was, so this may serve as a homage to such an important character as Andrew of Moray was. 

Following the **Battle of Falkirk**, a battle in which **Wallace lost his army**, he managed to run away to France, where he would stay for 5 years. He went there to muster financial and military support for the Scottish revolt, and also to fight for freedom and independence. And the rest of it is already history. Upon his return to Scotland, he was betrayed by John de Menteith in 1305, and sent to England, where the English put an end to his life...

With the death of William Wallace, the future king of Scotland took over in order to restore Scotland's freedom. It would nearly take a decade before he avenged Wallace's death but, in 1314, following the [Battle of Bannockburn](https://somosescocia.com/blog/batalla-de-bannockburn), **Robert the Bruce** would expel the English, and it is here that the path towards independence would begin.

![SB Batalla Puente de Stirling.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/SB_Batalla_Puente_de_Stirling_519ff767d7.jpg)
_Battle of Stirling Bridge, source by Andrew Hillhouse Prints_

**Thanks to the movies, they made us imagine men in skirts and faces painted in blue, they made us dream of cities and incredible landscapes, a country of lovely people, mountains, lakes, monsters, bagpipes and, most importantly: a country with whisky. FREEDOM**

Batalla del Puente de Stirling.jpg

Battle of Stirling Bridge

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Most people who have typed "**Scottish food**" into the Google search engine have probably already read about **Scotland**'s most famous dish: **[haggis](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/what-is-haggis)**. But for those of you who are a little less well prepared, haggis is all those parts of a sheep that you don’t really want to eat, but much less waste: heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and so on. All these scraps are ground up and mixed with onions, oats and spices, and cooked in the animal's own stomach. Fortunately, nowadays it is usually wrapped in other, more hygienic materials and comes in two forms: meat-based and vegetarian. It's a pretty heavy meal, but it's definitely one of those things you have to try. Wherever you go...

**Haggis** is usually eaten with mashed potatoes and turnip mash (you'll see it as neeps & tatties on restaurant menus) and a whisky sauce. You can also find haggis in the full **Scottish breakfast**, not to be confused with the **English breakfast**, which is only served south of Dumfries.

But it's not just haggis that Scottish people live for. Another quite typical thing around here is soup or, as we would call it, a kind of chunky mash. It's usually made of various vegetables and lentils, with quite a strong flavour and, as I said, tends to be a bit thick. It's ideal for warming the stomach during the winter months and one of the most typical soups is **Cullen Skink**, a soup made from onion, potato and haddock (a fish that can be found off the coast of Scotland).

The last thing you can't leave without trying is the tablet, and no, I don't mean the one you used on the plane to watch Netflix or play Candy Crush, I recommend you don't sink your teeth into this one for your own good. The typical Scottish tablet is a sweet made from condensed milk, sugar and butter, usually flavoured vanilla or ginger. For me, it's definitely a must-try if you have as much of a sweet tooth as I do.

And now that we've finished our brief overview of Scottish cuisine, let's get down to what really matters to you: where can I eat in Stirling? Well, here are the 10 best places we could find to recommend:

## 1\. The Bannockburn Coffee House

Located next to the famous **Bannockburn** Esplanade (the one where William Wallace's battle was fought), here you can still taste the regional gastronomy at a very good price. It also has vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, and homemade cakes that you can feast your eyes on.

[**41 Main Street, Bannockburn, Stirling FK7 8LX**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Bannockburn+Coffee+House/@56.089917,-3.915009,17z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x2fd82548090483da!8m2!3d56.0908214!4d-3.9147324?hl=es)

## 2\. The Bluebell Tea Room

Tea rooms are a very British thing where people go, effectively, for tea. This one, located in the centre of **Stirling**, is an ideal example of what you would expect from such a place. They offer **breakfast, brunch and lunch**, and a wide variety of teas and sweets.

## 3\. The Allan Park Pub & Restaurant

Holding the title of best restaurant in **Stirling**, this is a pub offering traditional food located in the city centre. From breakfast to dinner, it has a varied menu (with alternative options of course), **great quality** and an unbeatable atmosphere, a place that is definitely worth a visit.

[**20 Allan Park, Stirling FK8 2QG, United Kingdom**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Allan+Park+-+Pub,+Restaurant+%26+Coffee+House+(w%2F+rooms)/@56.115987,-3.940077,13z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x0:0x53e0373a2173d204!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d56.1160019!4d-3.9401374?hl=es)

## 4\. Portcullis

Located near the castle, the name refers to those huge metal grates that could be raised and lowered to cut off access to the castle. **Considered the second-best pub in the city**, it offers a very local atmosphere and good food.

[**Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EG, UK**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Portcullis/@56.121986,-3.944444,16z/data=!4m8!3m7!1s0x0:0xba05e15b8386f870!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d56.1219813!4d-3.9444207?hl=es)

## 5\. No 2 Baker Street

Could this be a reference to the famous private investigator Sherlock Holmes? Maybe. What is clear is that this is a great place to eat and drink, with an extensive menu in both respects. Elementary, my dear Watson.

[**No 2 Baker Street**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/No+2+Baker+Street/@56.1189262,-3.9385338,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x60e843be760cb53b?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib98SY-v_1AhWGLMAKHRRGA-0Q_BJ6BAgmEAU)

## 6\. The Allan Water Cafe

Great cafe and restaurant in the centre of Stirling with a good number of years and a family history behind it. It has a wide variety of food on offer, the chippy or fish & chips being one of the most popular with locals, another must try.

[**15 Henderson St, Bridge of Allan, Stirling FK9 4HN**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Allanwater+Cafe/@56.155629,-3.949886,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x230d85c334db4d5c!8m2!3d56.1556289!4d-3.9498861?hl=es)

## 7\. Brae

For quality Scottish food, using fresh, local ingredients. This restaurant has won several awards for its dishes in recent years.

[**5 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/5+Baker+St,+Stirling+FK8+1BJ/@56.1188004,-3.9409972,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4888629527d5f11b:0x5c2022a65c9c8d87!8m2!3d56.1188004!4d-3.9388085)

## 8\. Monterey Jack's

Can boast some of the best burgers in **Scotland**!!! Located in the Old Town, next to the Athenaeum.

Especially the cheeseburger is excellent.

[**1 Corn Exchange Rd, Stirling FK8 2HX, UK**](https://www.google.com/maps?ll=56.118274,-3.938715&z=16&t=m&hl=es&gl=ES&mapclient=embed&cid=10364910612201347664)

## 9\. Nicky-Tams

One of the oldest pubs in Stirling. It offers a wide variety of beers, and you can also eat here. Located in the **Old Town**.

[**29 Baker St, Stirling FK8 1BJ, UK**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nicky-Tams+Bar+%26+Bothy/@56.119113,-3.939453,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x689fb1cd12a5d9f6!8m2!3d56.1191302!4d-3.9394278?hl=es)

## 10\. Hermanns

Very elegant place, with Scottish and Austrian cuisine using local produce. Very **close to the castle**.

[**Mar Place House, 58 Broad St, Stirling FK8 1EF, UK**](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hermanns/@56.121152,-3.943731,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xb8831a01a34b1635!8m2!3d56.121167!4d-3.9437219?hl=es)

Of course, these are just a few of what (in our humble opinion) are the best places to eat in the city, but if you find any other hidden gems, don't hesitate to recommend them - we always like to discover new things. And watch out for the **Haggis**, it is very filling.

| Best Tours in Other Cities |
| ---------------------------- | 
| [Tours in Edinburgh](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh) | 
| [Tours in Glasgow](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-glasgow) |


the ** HAGGIS ** is a typical Scottish dish? This preparation is served on BURNS day to the sound of bagpipes. Made with liver, heart and lungs of sheep, fat, oat flakes and mutton or beef,

7-mejores-sitio-para-comer-en-Stirling.jpeg

10 best restaurants in Stirling

After braving the many slopes you have to walk up and down in the [Scottish capital](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/things-to-do-and-see-in-edinburgh), you will surely work up an appetite! Although there is a common stereotype that **Scotland** eats badly, I’d like to debunk this myth a bit. In my article about the best places to eat in Stirling, I described some classic Scottish dishes, like haggis, so this time I’ll introduce some other products, from the land and sea.

The centre of Edinburgh has two restaurants specialising in mussels. But the kitchens of Scottish restaurants are not only filled with mussels: oysters, salmon, crab, scallops and much more can also be found here. While you can enjoy this fresh, local produce in almost any corner of Scotland, the VisitScotland team has compiled their picks for the [12 best seafood sthacks in the country](https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/food-drink/best-seafood-scotland/).

**Scotch pie**, a type of meat pie, is another of the delicacies that can be tried in Scotland. This is usually a stew of beef, lamb or another meat, protected by a hot water  pastry. I say “protected” because originally the pastry was only used as a case for baking the meat in, but eventually, people realised that the pastry was worth eating too! Pies aren’t just made with meat, but can also be filled with many other ingredients - even macaroni! With so many options, in order to find the best in the world, the Scots created "[The World Championship Scotch Pie Awards](https://worldchampionshipscotchpieawards.org/)" in 1999, which chooses the best pies across 11 different categories. Dare to try some of these Scotch pies in the city's restaurants!

After this master class on **Scottish gastronomy**, it's time to taste them for yourself, sampling the flavours and smells of these dishes, to verify that the Scots do indeed eat well!

## 1. [Howies Restaurant](https://www.howies.uk.com/venues/)
If you want to eat quality **Scottish food** at a good price, this is the place to go. This family-run restaurant has earned a great reputation for its **traditional Scottish cuisine** and its high-quality ingredients. In addition, all the produce it uses comes from the country, whether the sea or the land. It currently has two stores in **Edinburgh** and one in Aberdeen. For me, this is without a doubt one of the places you can't miss on your visit to Edinburgh, serving the best **traditional Scottish food** in the Old Town.

Address: [10-14 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2HG](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Howies+Restaurant/@55.9487979,-3.1956155,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4887c79ac01c9fbd:0x87c219cc3647bbee!8m2!3d55.9487979!4d-3.1934268)

Address: [29 Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3BQ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Howies+Restaurant/@55.9541116,-3.1878579,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4887c78ecfa93c4f:0xf2c647c0324d74ef!8m2!3d55.9541116!4d-3.1856692)

Address: [50 Chapel St, Aberdeen AB10 1SN](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Howies+Restaurant/@57.144932,-2.1121587,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x48840e26b0781a39:0x6fb24abc5c03af95!8m2!3d57.144932!4d-2.10997)

![Howies Victoria Street.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Howies_Victoria_Street_a4dc2b5421.jpg)

## 2. [Royal Mile Tavern](https://www.royalmiletavern.com/)
This is a **traditional Scottish pub** steeped in history where you can taste some of the country's most iconic dishes, including **haggis**. This pub is centrally located on the Royal Mile, with the kitchen open until 9.00 pm, followed by live music every day from 10.00 pm. I also recommend their **Scottish breakfast**! One of the best pubs on **The Royal Mile**.

Address: [127 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SG](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Royal+Mile+Tavern/@55.9504275,-3.1889688,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4887c7858a13da65:0x50eb255e793d7aa1!8m2!3d55.9503875!4d-3.1867053)

![Royal Mile Tabern Edinburgh.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Royal_Mile_Tabern_Edinburgh_781a8d5f58.jpg)

## 3. [Hot Toddy](https://hottoddy.co.uk/book-a-table/)
Nestled away from the bustling Royal Mile. Hot Toddy is a charming hidden gem owned by two friends who share a **deep passion for Scottish cuisine, whisky, and local heritage**. The restaurant’s cascading plants mirror the freshness of its seasonal dishes, creating an immediate **warm and inviting atmosphere**. It’s perfectly designed for relaxed brunches and cosy evenings all for a **very reasonable price**.

Address: [15-19 Jeffrey St, Edinburgh EH1 1DR](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4887c751f754f9f9:0x5efeca93dcfea406?sa=X&ved=1t:8290&ictx=111)

![hot toddy escaparate.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/hot_toddy_escaparate_ab995257c0.jpg)


## 4. [The Dome](https://www.thedomeedinburgh.com/)
If you want to surprise a loved one, don’t hesitate to take them to this place. It’s one of the **most spectacular bars and restaurants in Edinburgh’s New Town**, where the only thing missing from the atmosphere is **James Bond** himself entering to order a martini (shaken, not stirred). You can have almost anything, from infusions in the coffee room, to drinks and dinner (I recommend booking for the latter). And although it sounds strange at first, you simply must visit its luxurious bathrooms on the far right, next to the dining area.

Address: [14 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PF](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/The+Dome/@55.9536492,-3.1978448,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4887c79107371c41:0x96d88c71cb27891a!8m2!3d55.9536492!4d-3.1956561)

![The Dome Edimburgo.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/The_Dome_Edimburgo_fe8de4147b.jpg)

## 5. [Mussel Inn Seafood Restaurant](https://www.mussel-inn.com/)
This is one of the **best restaurants in Edinburgh to taste seafood**, especially mussels and seafood chowder, which is a cream of potatoes, fish and seafood that won’t disappoint. 75% of its mussels come from **Scotland**, and the remaining 25% from nearby Ireland and England. And if you like oysters they have quite affordable prices for them too! Accompany these dishes with any of the wines from their extensive menu. Without a doubt, one of the best restaurants to visit in the Old Town.

Address: [61-65 Rose St, Edinburgh EH2 2NH](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Mussel+Inn+Seafood+Restaurant/@55.9535617,-3.1978135,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x4887c79107371c41:0x96d88c71cb27891a!2sThe+Dome!8m2!3d55.9535617!4d-3.1956248!3m4!1s0x0:0x47a9d7abaa8f28de!8m2!3d55.9525398!4d-3.1990626)

![Mussel Inn Edinburgh.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Mussel_Inn_Edinburgh_029e128cac.jpg)

|Edinburgh Walking Tours |
|---|
| Book your [Edinburgh Free Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/edinburgh-free-tour) |
| Book your [Edinburgh Mysteries, witchery and murders Walking Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/edinburgh-ghost-tour) |
| BEST TOUR [Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/guided-tour-edinburgh-castle) |

## 6. [The Mussel and Steak Bar](https://www.musselandsteakbar.com/)
This restaurant, **specialising in seafood**, opened in 2005, and thanks to the quality of its dishes, it has become famous both among visitors and locals alike. It has a very affordable lunch menu, served from Monday to Thursday, between 11:30 am and 3:00 pm, and Friday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm. This is one of the most popular choices in the Old Town.

Address: [110 Grassmarket, W Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2HH](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/The+Mussel+and+Steak+Bar/@55.9481655,-3.1941702,18.66z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xc769b66769e53635!8m2!3d55.9480186!4d-3.1942018)

## 7. [Grain Store](https://www.grainstore-restaurant.co.uk/)
One of the most **romantic restaurants in Edinburgh**, this is a great place to invite that special person. It’s unlike anywhere else in the city and has views of one of the most iconic streets of Edinburgh, **Victoria Street**. To dine in this quality restaurant, which uses local, Scottish produce, reservations are highly recommended.

Address: [30 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2JW](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/The+Grain+Store+Restaurant/@55.9486012,-3.1964957,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4887c79aeda9f581:0x8236754989042a53!8m2!3d55.9485982!4d-3.194307)

## 8. [Oink](https://www.oinkhogroast.co.uk/about/)
I’ll never get tired of saying it, but one of the most important inventions in Scotland, after whisky and kilts, is Oink where you’ll find the “**best pulled pork sandwich you'll ever try**”. Alan Marshall and Sandy Pate are two farmers from the south of Scotland (the Borders region), where they raise pigs and sheep, feeding them exclusively with natural products. It was in 2001 that they came up with the brilliant idea of ​​bringing their products to the **capital of Scotland**, Edinburgh. In the window display of each of its three venues, you will see the roast pig of the day, used for the pulled pork sandwiches, which are simply poetry for the palate. **You can't leave Edinburgh without trying it!**

Address: [34 Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2JW](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oink+Victoria+Street/@55.9504132,-3.1956058,15z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1soink!3m4!1s0x4887c79af26d55b9:0x73de4541632ac44f!8m2!3d55.948607!4d-3.1942404)

Address: [38 Hanover St, Edinburgh EH2 2DR](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oink+Hog+Roast+Hanover+Street/@55.9599748,-3.2367616,14z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1soink!3m4!1s0x4887c7911e0955b7:0x2cac12c6392a8f2b!8m2!3d55.9530549!4d-3.1972664)

Address: [82 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BZ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oink+Scottish+Hog+Roast/@55.9504119,-3.1956058,15z/data=!4m8!1m2!2m1!1soink!3m4!1s0x4887b877e79211cb:0x537410a6df80cce0!8m2!3d55.9519902!4d-3.1768995)

![Oink Edimburgo 2.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Oink_Edimburgo_2_3bb1e0dc3d.jpg)
![Oink Edimburgo.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Oink_Edimburgo_38820a2167.jpg)

## 9. [Hula Juice Bar and Cafe](https://www.hulajuicebar.co.uk/)
With a menu full of **vegetarian and vegan options**, this small restaurant **specialises in healthy and organic food**. It’s great value for money, and among the best of the best establishments in the Old Town, located on Victoria Street not far from Oink (ideal for vegetarians travelling in the company of meat-eaters!). Their natural juices will enchant you, and it’s a great option for breakfast or lunch (it closes at 6:00 pm).

Address: [103-105 W Bow, Edinburgh EH1 2JP](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hula+Juice+Bar+%26+Cafe/@55.9481152,-3.1968777,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4887c795859797a3:0x6baa2a5928477df5!8m2!3d55.9481152!4d-3.1946891)

Address: [94A Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QA](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hula+Juice+Bar+%26+Healthy+Eatery/@55.9481149,-3.2034438,15z/data=!4m9!1m2!2m1!1shula!3m5!1s0x4887c7c6e138f667:0x520f54f5da56f755!8m2!3d55.9436138!4d-3.2079388!15sCgRodWxhWgYiBGh1bGGSARFicnVuY2hfcmVzdGF1cmFudA)

![Hula Edimburgo.jpg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/Hula_Edimburgo_73f8a6e742.jpg)

## 10. [Clarinda's Tearoom](https://www.instagram.com/clarindas.tearoom/?hl=en)
This is the **perfect place to have a classic afternoon tea**, with pastries or their irresistible carrot cake, served by their charming staff in a setting straight out of a novel.

Address: [69 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BS](https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Clarinda's+Tearoom/@55.9521432,-3.1795085,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4887b877ddd7a887:0x6999994dbf724985!8m2!3d55.9521402!4d-3.1773198)

Comer en Edimburgo.jpg

10 best restaurants in Edinburgh


During my first year, I visited many other cities, besides its **incredibly beautiful natural landscapes**. But, if I had to pick just one city, that would be, without a doubt, **Stirling**. Some of you may think that Edinburgh is prettier, but I will go beyond that. Not only does Stirling have part of the beauty of Scotland’s capital city, but the history of this country cannot be understood without Stirling. During the **Middle Ages**, it was nicknamed as “**the gateway to the Highlands**”, as anyone  who had to travel to the **Highlands** or the **Lowlands** needed to go through **Stirling**.

Thanks to its history and, of course, to its castle and monuments, it is one of **the most visited cities in all of Scotland**: around one million people drop by this small city every year, which was the most important city in Medieval Scotland. And, in this article, I would like to provide you with some reasons to visit it, if you are still sitting on the fence about it.
 
![stirling-5.jpeg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/stirling_5_0da1d8b831.jpeg)

 
## 1. Because of its history

**Stirling has a fascinating history** that goes hand in hand with Scottish history, given that **Scotland** could not be conceived if Stirling did not exist.
The region where this city can be found had been inhabited for over 3 000 years, as the first settlements appeared on different hills, and also on the spot where the city castle can be seen today.

By the 1000s, the first fort would be built on the place where its castle stands today. From this moment on, **Stirling** would begin to grow, and it would start to be used as a royal residence. King David I, who ruled during the 1100s, would invest it with the status of a royal burgh, and he established the feudal system that lingered until 2004.

Many battles have been fought on Scottish ground, but Stirling bore witness to one of the most important and famous clashes in the history of cinema: **Braveheart.**
Thanks to **the river Forth** and its fine connections with the world, **Stirling has always looked into the future**. The most regal style of architecture would begin to dominate the city streets during the 1700s, when around 10 % of its population lived in poverty, which was unusual at the time. From 4 000 people living there in the 1700s, its populace would soar to 12 000 a century later.
 
The **Industrial Revolution** arrived and, along with it, the first train station. The Scottish Central Railway was built from Perth to Greenhill, **connecting Central Scotland with the south and north of the country**, with one of its stops in Stirling, which gave rise to the tourism comeback that this city has experienced for decades, and thanks to which Scotland’s former capital city is not only remembered for the battles it has seen, but also for **its importance in Scottish history**.


## 2. For its castle

Regarded as one of **the most important castles in Scotland**, for its history and architecture, being one of the best preserved Renaissance castles in the **United Kingdom**. Nowadays, it receives over half a million visitors every year.

It was an unassailable fortress, owing to the strategic nature of its location. It was also a residence for kings and queens, such as **Mary Stuart** and her son James, who united the Scottish and English crowns.

The palace which can be found indoors was the first Renaissance palace in **the British Isles**. Its architecture takes inspiration from France, with an outer facade decorated with gargoyles and sculptures. The building represents king James V, who had it built, as he wished to be seen: as a king to match the greatest European sovereigns.

Within its interior, besides the palace, other buildings can be found, each one of them being immensely valuable: a chapel, built in the 1500s for the christening of the son of **king James VI**; the great hall, whose yellow hue returns it to its former glory; the kitchens, discovered in 1921, since they had been buried under a barrage of cannon fire, and in which it can nowadays be seen how a great banquet is cooked. The former royal abodes, now serving as the Argyll Sutherland Highlanders Museum. In my opinion, this is the best castle in Scotland.

En su interior, además del palacio, se encuentran otros edificios, a cada cual más valioso: una capilla, construida en el siglo XVI para el bautizo del hijo del **rey Jacobo VI**; el gran salón, cuyo color amarillo le devuelve su vieja gloria; las cocinas, descubiertas en 1921 ya que habían quedado sepultadas bajo una batería de cañones, y en las que hoy se puede ver cómo cocinan un gran banquete. Los antiguos aposentos reales, hoy ocupados por el museo del Regimiento de las tierras alta de Argyll y Sutherland. En mi opinión, [el mejor castillo de Escocia](https://somosescocia.com/blog/que-ver-en-el-castillo-de-stirling).


![stirling-castle-g2.jpeg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/stirling_castle_g2_daa88dab92.jpeg)
 

| Tours and trips |
|:---:|
| Book the [Stirling Historic Tour](https://somosescocia.com/tours-stirling/tour-historico-de-stirling) |
| Book the [Stirling Castle Tour](https://somosescocia.com/tours-stirling/tour-del-castillo-de-stirling) |
 
## 3. William Wallace and the monument to the hero

The **history of Scotland**, for better or worse, will be closely tied to the character that **Mel Gibson** embodies in the **film Braveheart: William Wallace.**

The figure of **Wallace** has, over the centuries, **become a legend**, and to this day tourist guides in Scotland speak of him with great passion, remembering and paying homage to the relentless fight of Scottish people in the face of English tyranny. But the battle who would turn him into a hero is that of **Stirling Bridge**. Indeed, my friend, it was in Stirling that, in 1927, **William Wallace** and 2 500 Scots, against an army of 10 000 English soldiers, won an epic battle that will be remembered until the end of humankind.

Nowadays, on the place where **William Wallace and Andrew of Moray** prepared for the battle, a tower stands, the [National Wallace Monument](https://somosescocia.com/blog/monumento-nacional-de-william-wallace), with a height of 64 meters (just over two hundred feet). Within it, the story of this hero and this battle is recounted. Additionally, from atop the monument, you will be able to enjoy some **incredible views of Scotland’s** mountainous scenery.

![torre wallace otoño.jpeg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/torre_wallace_otono_e5d9ade4cc.jpeg)

 
## 4. The Old Town and its streets

**Stirling’s old town** could be defined as a miniature version of [Edinburgh](https://somosescocia.com/blog/que-ver-en-edimburgo-en-un-dia). It is a city that preserves a part of its medieval ramparts, which few towns in the country can boast.

A city brimming with **history** in which you will be able to find anything from streets built in Georgian architecture to **medieval alleys**. King Street still retains its grandeur, with its Golden Lion hotel, which has been the most important hotel in the city ever since the 1700s, or the Athenaeum, **guarded by a sculpture of William Wallace**.

**Medieval Stirling** was built around the castle, with the houses of the most powerful people always standing in close vicinity to it. Broad Street is a cobblestone street in which a Mercat Cross can be seen, that is, a column crowned by **Scotland’s national animal: the unicorn.**

When the city started to expand beyond its walls, the powerful were worried about how they would keep the masses under control, so they deemed it necessary to build their own jailhouse. **Stirling can boast having two of them**. These jailhouses or, as they are known locally, **Tollbooth**, were humid, unhealthy, and crowded places, which also served as armories, tax collection offices, prisons, and so on. Nowadays, one of them is a center for the arts, and the other is a very entertaining tourist attraction for kids. Here, you may find the link to the website.

**Stirling’s Old Town** hides secrets and, in one of its churches, the **Holy Rude**, in 1567, the king who would unite the Scottish and English crowns was crowned. It is now a church which opens during summertime, and it is free to visit. The churchyard is regarded as one of the most beautiful cemeteries to be visited in all of Scotland.

![stirling-13.jpeg](https://somosescocia.lon1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/strapi/stirling_13_515023f045.jpeg)
 
To me, **Stirling is a magical city**, a city which is **packed with history** but, above all, a city to be discovered, an unmissable visit if you spend several days in Scotland. I hope you decide to visit it after reading these words!

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