Stirling

A day trip to Scotland's former capital

from Edinburgh, Scotland

Stirling Castle (above and inset below) is the most popular tourist attraction in Scotland's former capital

by Anders Imboden

If you’ve come all the way to Scotland, chances are you’re at least mildly interested in the history and tradition of the land and its people. For anyone seeking some insight into the Scottish legacy, there is hardly a better city to visit than Stirling.

Stirling is located in central Scotland, about an hour’s train ride north of both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Officially a Royal Burgh for centuries, Stirling was granted full city status in 2002 as part of Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. “Scotland’s newest city” is actually quite old, having served as the capital city of the Kingdom of Scotland years ago. It also acted as a home to such historical figures as Mary, Queen of Scots, and King James VI of Scotland (James I of England).

If medieval history is not your forte, there's still much to see and enjoy in Stirling. While it is impossible to escape the city’s rich past, it is just as difficult to ignore the stunning scenery of the area, and the impressive buildings that populate its streets. Stirling has a little something for everyone.

Next page: What to see in Stirling

In this article:
Introduction	How to get there
Sightseeing	Tourism and transport links

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photos About the author:

Anders Imboden wrote this article while studying Politics at the University of Edinburgh and Scottish Premier League football at Maltings International, where he became a wee publican.

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