Scotland's Tribute to Braveheart and other Stirling, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

The National Wallace Monument was constructed in 1860 and completed in 1869 funded totally from public donations which poured in from around the world. The outside is Scottish Baronial style is most impressive with William placed high and I just loved the never ending rope design. Be prepared for a steep climb up a spiral staircase consisting of 246 steps - I didn't count them I was already out of breath. The tower has four levels the last being the crown. There are various exhibitions charting William Wallace and the history of his great battles and sad demise. Other famous Scots are honoured in the Hall of Heroes, probably the most interesting thing to see for me anyway is Wallace's Sword 5 feet 4 inches long difficullt enough to lift but unimaginable to fight with. It was from Abbeycraig in 1297 William Wallace stood watching the English Army's approach near Stirling Bridge before leading his own troups into battle bearing the same name. The monument is a fitting tribute to one of Scotlands finest Sons. Open all year January - February & November - December 10.30 16.00 March - May 10.00- 17.00 June July August 9.30 - 18.00 September - October 10.00-17.00 Admission Price Adult �6.50 Child �4.00 Consession �4.90

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Phone: 01786 472140
Address: Abbey Craig
Directions: head out of Stirling towards Abbey Craig it is well sign posted with brown tourist signs
Website: www.nationalwallacemonument.com

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Things To Do: Stirling Castle

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Mar 13, 2007

Alexander l was the first King to reside at Stirling Castle in 1110 during the years between 1496 - 1583 the castle was home to the Stewart Kings and Queens until the Union of the Crowns. The 1800 saw many changes during the Napoleonic Wars, the castle was converted into barracks and later became a garrison for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Concern was raised by Edward Vll in 1906 regarding the damage to the buildings by the military - Stirling Castle now saw its fortune taking a turn for the better with restoration work taking place and continuing at the present time. You can tour the castle by audio guide (around 50 minutes & in seven languages) or take a guided tour included in the admission charge or like me buy a guide book and wander at your own speed. The castle is open year round (excluding Christmas Day Boxing Day & New Year's Day) April - September 9.30 - 18.00 October - March 9.30 - 17.00 last tickets 45 minutes before closing Price Adult ticket �8.50 Seniors over 60 �6.50 child �4.25 car parking maximum stay 4 hours �2.00

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Phone: 01786 450000
Address: Stirling Old Town
Directions: Take junction 9 or 10 off the M9
Website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

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Things To Do: The Old Town Jail

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Mar 14, 2007

by scottishvisitor , 1 more photos

The Old Town Jail was opened to prisoners in November 1847. Here you can find out what life was like in the harsh Victorian regime. They also have on the top floor an exhibition on a day in the life of a prisoner today in Scotland. Children have their own audio tour with Jinkie and Nipsy. Adult audio tours are also available in five languages, tours are also offered guided by Actors wearing period costumes. Open all year (except Christmas Boxing and New Years Day) April - September 9.30 - 18.00 October - March 9.30 - 17.00 November - February 10.30 - 16.30 Price Adult tour with actor �5.95 audio �5.00 OAP with Actor �4.50 audio �3.80 Child with actor �3.80 audio �3.20 Student with Actor �4.50 audio �3.80 last ticket one hour before closing.

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Phone: 01786 450050
Address: St. John Street
Directions: Old town Stirling down from Stirling Castle
Website: www.oldtownjail.com

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Things To Do: A Place to Check Your Roots

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on Mar 13, 2007

This quaint and quirky building dates back to 1639 known as Cowan's Hospital. It was never used as a hospital in the proper sense of the word but rather an almshouse usually set up for the poor or elderly. In this case Thomas Cowan opened the almshouse as a place of refuge for bankrupt merchants. Today it is an ancestral centre where you can trace your roots if indeed your ancestors came from the Stirling area. Open in summer months only entrance is free.

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Address: Broad Street
Directions: On a lane at the rear of the Church
Website: uc

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Things To Do: A Place for a Coronation

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on Mar 14, 2007

The Church of the Holy Rude was re built on the site of an earlier church in 1414 and again in 1507. The Church name means Holy Cross the church is one of the most imposing late medieval Burgh Churches. On 29th. July 1567 the infant James Vl was crowned King of Scotland in a hastily arranged Protestant Ceremony. A sermon was given by John Knox but no mention was made of the infant's Mother Mary Queen of Scots who had recently been abducted and imprisoned in Loch Leven Castle. These events left the Church here in Stirling famous along side Westminster Abbey to be one of the two still active Churches in the United Kingdom to have held a coronation
The Church is open to the public most days from Easter to September.

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Address: Broad Street
Directions: Go downhill from the Castle

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Things To Do: Mar's Wark

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on Mar 13, 2007

by scottishvisitor , 3 more photos

Mar's Wark was built in 1569 using stone from the nearby Cambus Kenneth Abbey for the Earl of Mar the heraldic keeper of Stirling Castle and at one time Regent of Scotland during James Vl reign. The Town House was passed down to the 11th. Earl a known Jacobite supporter, after the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion failed it was converted into barracks. Its final demise came during the 1745 Jacobite Uprising when it was heavily damaged by cannon fire and fell into ruin. The renaissance shell is now in the care of Historic Scotland so who knows what the future may holds for a ruin with such a strange sounding name.

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Address: Broad Street
Directions: Walk downhill from Castle Wynd
Website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

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Things To Do: See the reconstruction while you can

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on Mar 14, 2007

Historic Scotland has a major project at present, archeological, historical and survey research work is one going. The reason for all this activity is to uncover the history of the buildings past and to prepare for re construction of the King & Queen's room to present them as they would have looked in 1542. This is a very interesting and informative tour, notices explain how they have taken down walls built by the military, rediscovered ornate fireplaces and many other interesting facts from the Royal Palace's past. Visit the exhibition on the Palace history before going inside. One modern addition I spotted was the radiator I would assume they will screen this off to make it look old but I will always know now how the Palace was heated after its great renovations. The Palace will close to visitors at the end of this Summer 07 I did ask one of the staff how long work would be in progress and was told that if you are dealing with history we may have to wait awhile.

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Address: Castle Wynd
Directions: Up hill from the Old Town
Website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

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Things To Do: The Chapel Royal

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on Mar 13, 2007

As long as there has been a castle in Stirling there has been a Royal Chapel. The Chapel you see today was built for James Vl for the occassion of his infant Son Hendry's Christening on the 30th. August 1594 the King beleived the infant would inherit the unified crown which he did not. Later the Chapel was lavishly decorated for a visit from Charles l in 1633. During the garrison days the Chapel had a far less religious purpose. It was used as a canteen and training room. Restoration work started here in 1930 but it took until 1996 before work was finally completed including the reproduction of decorations for Charles visit. We had the little Chapel to ourselves, it was a marvelous experience to visit a place painstakingly restored, creating great beauty, with quiet, peaceful and reverent thoughts.

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Phone: 01786 450000
Address: Castle Wynd
Directions: up hill from the Old Town
Website: www,historic-scotland.gov.uk

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Things To Do: Old Town Streets

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on Mar 13, 2007

Darney's House

Wandering around the old town streets on a bright February day with few tourists about and taking time to look at this interesting part of town known locally as the top of the toon. There are really only two streets Saint John Street and Broad Street and like most old towns in Scotland you will find a Tolbooth and Mercat Cross - Stirling's Mercat Cross is known locally as Puggsy I thought it was really a Unicorn. Among the many sixteenth century Town Houses we found Darnley's House, Lord Darnley was Mary Queen of Scots husband and he lived here when she was in residence at the Castle. The last building in the photos is the Port Cullis Hotel built in 1787 its original purpose was a Grammer School for Boys. The hotel is listed in The Lonely Plant Guide to Scotland. We had a laugh spotting the more modern touches to the little streets such as the double yellow lines (you can't park anywhere except the castle) and the traffic calming measures - well they would not have been needed in days gone by.

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Address: Various Streets in the Old Town
Directions: Up hill from the Stirling main town

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Things To Do: The Great Hall

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Updated by scottishvisitor

on Mar 14, 2007