Day Trip to Stirling Castle from Glasgow, Scotland

While visiting Glasgow, be sure to add a day trip to Stirling Castle. Why visit Stirling Castle from Glasgow? It’s one of the easiest, quickest journeys by train, and it will be sure to leave you in awe.

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Why Visit Stirling Castle

Step foot in an historic place. Stirling Castle (as it is now) was built in the 14th-16th centuries and was where many Scottish kings and queens were crowned, including Mary Queen of Scots.

Visit the key to Scotland. Stirling Castle sits between the Highlands and the Lowlands of Scotland and has seen its share of epic battles. It’s been said that whoever held Stirling held the key to Scotland.

See incredible views. Stirling Castle sits up on a hill, overlooking the town of Stirling, and has incredible views you have to see.

Learn about medieval life. There are several museums and exhibits within Stirling Castle that will teach you more about medieval life in the castle. It’s truly fascinating.

the castle walls and entrance at Stirling Castle — Stirling Castle

a tree in queen anne's garden at Stirling Castle — Queen Anne Garden

Quick Facts about Visiting Stirling Castle

Location: Castle Wynd, Stirling, FK8 1E
Hours: April 1 to Sept. 30: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.)
Oct. 1 to March 31: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.)
Cost: £17.50 online price, £19.50 walk up price (for adults)
Guided Tours: Occurs every half hour between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and is included in ticket cost. Meets at the well outside the Fort Major’s House.
Buy tickets online.

Things Not to Miss at Stirling Castle

Expect to spend at least 3-4 hours exploring Stirling Castle as there is just so much to see. The castle is large and almost feels like a labyrinth, but whatever you do, don’t miss the following things.

Explore the Castle and its Museums

I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the museums in Stirling Castle. They truly offer a lot for visitors to learn about the castle and the history of Scotland at large. Don’t skip the museums!

Castle Exhibition. Get to know the Stirling Castle story from earliest times to present day in the Castle Exhibition, which is near the entrance. This was the last thing we did, before leaving, as we wanted to explore the castle first. But I do recommend stopping into the exhibition as we learned a lot and felt the information was valuable.

Regimental Museum. The Regimental Museum is a stunning collection of military treasures and artifacts that you definitely can’t miss. You’ll learn about the various Highlander regiments that have served the country over the past 200 years.

author, a young woman, standing in the courtyard of the Stirling Castle

Walk along the Castle Walls

You are able to walk along the castle walls as there is somewhat of a path. It gets wide and narrow at various places. Some parts have stairs, and some parts of the wall have little windows you can look through.

It was so fun exploring this part of the castle and getting to almost completely circumvent it. Because of that, you can get an almost 360-degree view of the area below. You can even spot the nearby National Wallace Monument!

author's mom near the castle wall looking into a hole/window in the wall

Visit the Rooms inside the Castle

Great Kitchen. The Great Kitchen has been transformed to look as if it were still functioning in medieval times. There are signs to tell you about how food was prepared back in those days. For example, “in the 16th century food was consumed on the basis of a social food chain. The king or queen ate first, followed by his or her courtiers, various officials, and their personal servants, and finally those who served the food to the tables.”

Palace bedrooms. Most of the palace rooms are empty, but some contain furnishings. You may even find a costumed employee to help answer questions or play tunes on his lute.

Great Hall. The Great Hall is the largest hall ever built in Scotland, even larger than the hall at Edinburgh Castle. It was built in 1501 to 1504 at the request of James IV. Meant to impress, it was used for banquets, meetings, and other royal events for over a century.

Why are all the rooms so empty?

Inside, most of the rooms of the palace are empty. The royal family moved out in the early 1600s, and the military took over the castle for over 300 years. During that time, they removed almost everything in the castle to make it more functional as a military base. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the castle underwent major renovations, and they are still restoring the castle to its original medieval state.

a medieval costumed employee playing a lute in one of the palace rooms. — Palace bedroom

mannequins set up inside the great kitchen, made to look as if they're working — Great Kitchen

Admire the Unicorn Tapestries

A set of seven tapestries hang inside a room in the palace, recreations of the “Hunt of the Unicorn” tapestries created in the Netherlands in the 16th century.

They are not originals — those are on display in a museum in New York.

But Stirling Castle wanted a set of their own, so in 2002, a team of weavers began recreating all seven “Hunt of the Unicorn” tapestries for display at Stirling Castle.

Why recreate these tapestries?

There is no evidence to suggest the original unicorn tapestries were ever at Stirling Castle. Though, some historians believe a similar set of unicorn tapestries, which no longer exist today, may have once decorated the walls of Stirling Castle.

Why unicorns?

The unicorn is the official animal of Scotland. We think of unicorns as mythical creatures, but in medieval times, many people believed in their existence and in their special powers.

Meaning of the tapestries

The seven “Hunt of the Unicorn” tapestries were designed to be hung in sequence around a room. They tell the story of the hunt and capture of a unicorn, but they also contain hidden meanings that can be read as both a religious story and as a medieval love story, according to a sign I read in the exhibit in the castle.

Visit the exhibit for behind-the-scenes info

There is an exhibit about this project, which gives more information about the weavers, the symbolism in the tapestries, and the work required to complete the project.

While we admired the tapestries in the palace, one of the staff members told us we would likely return after visiting the exhibit in another part of the castle.

“Sixty percent of people come back,” he said.

And, you know what, we DID return to look at the tapestries again after perusing the exhibit.

“I knew you’d be back,” he told us.

The tapestries are really quite remarkable.

unicorn tapestries hanging from the walls in the palace of Stirling Castle — Tapestries

a medieval costumed employee holding a lute in one of the palace rooms. Behind him, unicorn tapestries hanging from the walls in the palace of Stirling Castle — Tapestries

Take in the Views of Stirling

Stirling Castle sits atop Castle Hill and you can take in some incredible views of the town below.

See those fields below the castle? That’s where medieval tournaments would play out. The Stewart kings staged lavish tournament where noblemen could demonstrate and hone their martial skills.

Stirling Castle was also rumored to be linked to King Arthur, former home of the round table. James IV was proud of this and even staged Round Table tournaments.

There are little signs all over the castle to help you imagine how it would have been in history.

author, a young woman, near the walls of Stirling Castle overlooking view of town

close up view of Stirling Castle on a hill

Where to Find the Best View of Stirling Castle

Old Town Cemetery

Near the entrance to Stirling Castle is a cemetery. It’s here in the Old Town Cemetery you’ll find one of the best views of Stirling Castle. Climb the small hill in the middle of the graveyard. You should spot it immediately.

There’s even a bench on the hill to sit and take in the views.

The Old Town Cemetery is as it says — old. The earliest date on the gravestones is 1579, according to a sign I read. Some gravestones have trade symbols of bakers, weavers or other crafts. Many Stirling people set up their gravestones as status symbols while they were still alive.

author, a young woman, standing on a hill looking out to Stirling Castle with a graveyard below — Hill in Old Town Cemetery

How to Get to Stirling Castle

If you don’t have a car while visiting Scotland, you can get to Stirling Castle in two ways:

Take the train
Join a group tour

What we did: We opted to visit Stirling Castle on our own and took the train from Glasgow to Stirling. We did this in order to save money and spend more time in Stirling.

Take the Train from Glasgow to Stirling

To travel to Stirling Castle by train, you can book a train ride from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Stirling Station. The ride takes about 31 minutes with no stops. It cost us $12.82 (or £9.81) round trip, per adult.

It’s an additional 1/2-mile walk from the Stirling Station to the castle, and it’s all uphill. Allot about 20 minutes to complete this walk.

How to book your train tickets: You can purchase your tickets on Trainline.com or in the Trainline app. Select the open day return option if you’re not sure what time you’ll be done visiting the castle.

We used Trainline to purchase all our train tickets in the UK. I loved how easy it was to search train tickets from various train companies and to pull up our tickets in the app when needed to scan or show them to employees. Everything was all in one place, making it very convenient.

How to save money on train tickets: If you will be doing a lot of train travel in the UK, consider getting a railcard for 33% off. I was traveling with my mom so we got the Two Together Railcard and saved quite a bit.

author's mom in front of a train at the Glasgow train station

buildings in Stirling surrounding a street with cars parked on it

Join a Group Trip to Stirling Castle from Glasgow or Edinburgh

If you don’t want to bother with booking your own transportation to Stirling Castle, you can join a group tour from Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Many group tours also include other locations in addition to Stirling Castle, so you will get more out of your day.

1-Day Tours From Glasgow

Timberbush Tours: “From Glasgow: Loch Lomond, Trossachs & Stirling Castle Tour“
Rabbie’s: “From Glasgow: Stirling Castle & Loch Lomond Tour with Cruise“

1-Day Tours From Edinburgh

Highland Experience Tours: “Rosslyn Chapel, Stirling Castle & Dunfermline Abbey Tour“
The Hairy Coo: “From Edinburgh: Stirling Castle, Kelpies and Loch Lomond“

What Else to Do in the Town of Stirling

Old Town Cemetery. This cemetery has incredible views of Stirling Castle and offers an historic walk by the castle.

Stirling Old Town Jail. You can have a tour of the jail and learn the history that occurred here.

Old Town Coffee House. This is the cutest coffee shop in Stirling. We stopped in for tea and were utterly charmed.

Tinsel & Tartan. I loved this cute little Christmas shop in Stirling. I bought a tartan stocking here and can’t wait to put it up during Christmas.

Map of Things to Do in Stirling

Frequently Asked Questions about Stirling Castle

Is Stirling Castle worth visiting?

Yes, Stirling Castle is definitely worth visiting. It was one of our favorite day trips while in Glasgow.

How much time is needed at Stirling Castle?

Expect to spend at least 3-4 hours exploring Stirling Castle as there is just so much to see.

How far is Stirling Castle from Glasgow or Edinburgh?

It’s about 30 miles from Glasgow and 40 miles from Edinburgh.

Where is Stirling Castle in Scotland?

Stirling Castle is in the town of Stirling, north of both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Can you get to Stirling Castle by train?

Yes, you can. I’d recommend taking the direct train route from Glasgow Queen Street Station to Stirling Station that takes about 31 minutes.

Is Stirling Castle free?

No, unfortunately. You have to purchase a ticket to enter.

Is Stirling Castle National Trust?

No, but it’s part of Historic Scotland, and there is free entry for Historic Scotland members.

Can you visit Stirling Castle?

Yes, Stirling Castle is open for people to visit.

Why is Stirling Castle famous?

Stirling Castle sits between the Highlands and the Lowlands of Scotland and has seen its share of epic battles. It’s been said that whoever held Stirling had the key to Scotland. It’s one of the most historically important castles in Scotland and was the most used royal residence before Scotland united with England.

Why was Stirling Castle built?

A fortress has stood on Stirling’s Castle Hill for centuries as it is in a key location. The castle as it is now was built in the 14th-16th centuries for the Stewarts to live and conduct royal business.

Who owns Stirling Castle?

In 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I of England and moved out of Stirling Castle for London. Though that was the last time the castle was used as a permanent royal residence, the castle still belongs to the Crown, and is in the care of Scottish Ministers.

Where to stay in Glasgow Scotland?

The top things to do in Glasgow, like visiting Pollok Country Park, are pretty far apart, so there’s not one central place to stay to see it all.

My best recommendation is to stay near a train station or a subway station so you can easily get to all the different areas of Glasgow.

Where I stayed: I stayed at the Holiday Inn Glasgow City Center Theatreland, an IHG Hotel, which is near the Glasgow Bus Station. We needed to take the bus, with all our luggage, to the airport, so it was the most convenient hotel for us. It’s also an easy walk to the Glasgow Queen Street Train Station.

Other recommended hotels in Glasgow:

AC Hotel Glasgow (near the Queen Street Train Station)
The Z Hotel Glasgow (near the Queen Street Train Station)
voco Grand Central Glasgow, an IHG hotel (near the Glasgow Central Train Station)
Leonardo Hotel Glasgow (near the Glasgow Central Train Station)
Clayton Hotel Glasgow (near the Glasgow Central Train Station)
Hotel Indigo Glasgow, an IHG hotel (near the Glasgow Central Train Station)
The Address Glasgow (near the Glasgow Central Train Station)

What to pack for a trip to Glasgow?

Warm, waterproof wear

If you’re visiting Glasgow during its cold and rainy season (almost every month of the year besides a few weeks in summer), you should definitely bring a warm waterproof jacket and waterproof walking boots.

This waterproof jacket and these waterproof boots I took with me to Scotland helped us explore no matter the weather. We walked around Glasgow during foggy mornings and chilly evenings, and enjoyed it all. Be prepared for cold, rainy weather, and dress for it, so you don’t miss out.
Also consider bringing fleece-lined leggings — I loved this pair I packed!

Favorite travel essentials

I really recommend these compression packing cubes. They’re very thick and durable and allow you to pack more than you expect.
I also love this travel backpack that opens like a suitcase, fits almost as much as a carry-on, and has tons of pockets as well as a strap to attach to your luggage handle. It makes traveling so much easier and more organized. It also fits nicely under the airplane seats.
I bring this AirFly receiver for AirPods with me on long-haul flights, so I can connect to the plane’s video screen with my own AirPods.
I no longer hop on a flight without wearing my Sockwell compression socks because they really do help relieve/prevent leg cramps from sitting so long in one place. I have the lotus pattern, but there are other patterns to choose from, such as this cat pattern or this flower pattern. See all sock patterns in the Sockwell storefront.
For Americans, I recommend getting the Capital One Venture X credit card to relax and eat free food in select airport lounges. I’ve had my Capital One Venture X credit card for a few years now, and accessing airport lounges is my absolute favorite perk of the card. Every lounge is different, but most have a buffet available where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content. The annual fee of this card is high, but it evens out with the $300 annual travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles you get (on top of lounge access and free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry)!