Scotland Tours of Stirling
Royal Burgh of Stirling Visitor Centre
Castle Esplanade, Stirling
Tel: 01786 479901
A worthwhile, short introduction to Royal Stirling. From the Wars of Independence, through the reign of the Stuart monarchs to it's time as medieval burgh,Stirling has played a central role in Scotland's history for hundreds of years. There are many historic attractions to visit in the town. Entry is free to this multi-lingual, audio-visual show which glimpses into the full history of Stirling's monarchs, nobles, merchants, craftsmen and common folk over 1,000 years.
Open
Daily all year
January to March 9.30 - 5.00
April to June 9.30 - 6.00
July & August 9.30 - 6.00
September to October 9.30 - 6.00
November to December 9.30 - 5.00
Closed 25 and 26 December, 1 and 2 January
Admission : Free
Stirling Old Town
Broad Street, St John Street and St Mary's Wynd
The town of Stirling gradually grew from the castle down onto the low flood plain. By 1550, Broad Street in the Old Town was the hub of town life and the centre of commerce and trading. The mercat cross was here and the Tolbooth, which was the the administrative heart of the old town.
Stirling Castle
Stirling Old Town
Tel: 01786 450000
Stirling Castle is the grandest of Scotland's castles and one of the most popular visitor attractions in the country.250 feet above the plain on an extinct volcano, Stirling became the strategic military key to the kingdom during the 13th and 14th century Wars of Independence and was the favourite royal residence of many of the Stuart Monarchs. Many important events from Scotland's past took place at Stirling Castle, including the violent murder of the eighth Earl of Douglas by James II in 1452. Stirling Castle played an important role in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. She spent her childhood in the castle and Mary's coronation took place in the Chapel Royal in 1543.
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Argyll's Lodging
Castle Wynd, Stirling Old Town
Tel: 01786 431319
Scotland's finest surviving renaissance mansion. A 17th Century town residence built circa 1630 by Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. He became Secretary of State for Scotland and was appointed the first Earl of Stirling.
It passed to the Argyll family on his death and was extended by the 9th Earl in 1666. argylls lodging in stirlingCharles II stayed here before being crowned at Scone in 1651, the second Duke of Argyll set up his headquarters here in 1715 before the Battle of Sheriffmuir and 'Butcher' Cumberland stayed here on his way to Culloden in 1746.
The rooms which include the laigh hall, dining room, drawing room and bed chamber, are restored and furnished as they would have been during the 9th Earl's occupation around 1680. The furniture and furnishings include beautifully carved and inlaid tables, elegantly upholstered chairs, glorious tapestries and hangings. Skilled craftsmen working with detailed inventories, have recreated the interiors to the highest standard.
Open
All year, 7 daysApril to September 09.30 - 18.00
October - March 09.30 - 17.00
Last ticket sold 45 minutes before closing.
Closed 25th & 26th December and 1st & 2nd January.
Argyll's Lodging is rated as a 4-star visitor attraction by VisitScotland
Admission 2006
Adult (16-60) £4.00
Children (5-15) £1.60
Concession (60+) £3.00
Mar's Wark
Situated at the top of Broad Street, just down from Argyll's Lodging on Castle Wynd.
Commissioned around 1569 by the powerful Earl of Mar, heriditary Keeper of Stirling Castle and one time Regent of Scotland during the minority of James VI. The Earls of Mar were originally the Erskine Family who were appointed by David II as heriditary keepers of Stirling Castle.
The shell of a splendid renaissance style town house is all that remains of a once, grand building at the head of the Old Town. The facade of Mars Wark is decorated with stone carvings, panels, gargoyles and much of the stone would have come from the ruined Cambuskenneth Abbey.
The 11th Earl of Mar supported the Jacobite cause and following the failure of the 1715 rebellion, the house was converted into barracks. During the 1745-6 rising it was damaged by cannon fire and fell into ruin.
Church of the Holy Rude
St John Street, Stirling Old Town
Tel: 01786 475275
Stirling's principal parish church for more than 500 years.
In 1452, the town and it's wooden church were burned in revenge after King James II murdered the Earl of Douglas.
The present church developed in two stages. The first half was completed around 1470 and the Nave and Tower date in part from that period. The second half was completed around 1555.
A plaque on the floor marks the spot where the infant, King James VI was baptised in 1567. The child was christened in a gold font sent by Elizabeth of England. He was carried into the chapel by the Count of Brienne, as proxy for the king of France who was his godfather. Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Savoy were also godparents.
The ceremony was conducted by the Archbishop of St. Andrews according to Roman Catholic rites while the Protestant lords stood outside the chapel. The boy's father sulked in his apartments and refused to attend the ceremony and festivities.
Church of the holy rude in stirling There are magnificent stained glass windows and one of Scotland's rare, surviving, medieval open timber roofs. Each craft guild formerly maintained an altar to its patron saint while wealthy burgesses built their own chapels. The vaulted Chapel of St. Andrew survives intact.
A dividing wall was built within the church after a 17th century dispute amongst the church's congregation. This was removed during the restoration in 1936.
Open
1 May to 30 September 11.00 - 16.00Services are held:
11.30am January to June
10.00am July to December
Ladies' Rock, Star Pyramid and the Valley
Access from Castle Wynd or Castle Esplanade
The Ladies Rock and the Valley image Wander around the atmospheric Holy Rude graveyard and you will see headstones which are hundreds of years old. The earliest dates from 1579. Many show the trade symbols and tools of trade of the person who is buried there.
The rugged rock which rises South of the Valley is The Ladies' Rock. This was a favourite vantage point for the ladies of the court to watch the Royal Tournaments in the Valley and the Kings Park. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views across to the Trossachs and Ben Lomond.
The Ladies Rock and the Valley image The valley has been the place of execution of witches. In the valley cemetery you will 
see a Victorian monument which commemorates the Wigtown Martyrs, two women who were drowned in 1685 for refusing to renounce their protestant faith.
Cowane's Hospital
St John Street, Stirling Old Town FK8 1ED
Tel: 01786 472247
Fax: 01786 462264
Built between 1639 - 49 with funds bequeathed by John Cowane, a wealthy Stirling merchant. Originally offering charity to unsuccessful merchants or 'gildbreithers' and later used as a school and epidemic hospital.
Originally there were two storeys until the main part of the building was altered in 1852 to form a Guildhall with balcony, gallery and elongated windows in the main hall.
cowane's hospital / guildhall in stirling The statue of John Cowane above the doorway is known as Staneybreeks and there is a rumour that every Hogmanay, he gets down for a dance.
Open
April to September09.00 - 17.00Monday to Saturday
10.00 - 17.00 Sunday
September to March
10.00 - 16.00 7 days
Admission
Free.The Tolbooth and the Mercat Cross
Broad Street, Stirling Old Town FK8 2ET
Tel: 01786 443240
Stirling became a Royal Burgh around 1124 and the Old Town started to develop below the castle. In the 15th and 16th Centuries, the Stuart monarchs held court in Stirling and rich merchants built their houses here.The Mercat Cross stands in Broad Street and was once the focus of the town's trading activity. The unicorn figure on top is known as ' the puggy '.
Nearby is Norrie's House. This was the house of the Town Clerk, James Norrie and is a good example of a 17th Century merchant's house.
By 1550, the Tolbooth stood next to the Mercat Cross. It was the court house, council meeting place, armoury and prison. The town's money was kept there. It served as the administrative heart of the old town, The original Tollbooth was in such a bad state that it was demolished around 1700. The present Tollbooth was built around 1703-05 by Sir William Bruce, who also designed Holyrood Palace. A courthouse and jail were added in 1809. The tower features a rare surviving example of a dutch pavilion roof.
Re-opened in March 2002, the Tolbooth is the new base for Stirling Council's Heritage & Cultural Services and a new centre for music and the arts.Richard Murphy Architects have re-designed the building, combining restoration of a historic building with radical, new architectural statements. This 5.7million project has enclosed the internal courtyard to create a 200 seat auditorium and public foyer, meeting rooms, rehearsal space, a recording studio, bar and restaurant.
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