Day Trip to Stirling from Glasgow by Train Worth It?

The interior visit of Stirling Castle with its artwork and furnishings is much more interesting than the interior of Edinburgh Castle.

Thank you! That is good information.

We loved our visit to Stirling Castle last month. We did the 1-day Rabbies tour from Glasgow of Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle, with a lunch stop in a town on the way from one to the other.

Stirling Castle is impressively (strategically!) situated with 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside. I thought the way-finding signage within the castle grounds was good; my friend had the opposite opinion, but we both agreed that we liked the exhibits and found the info boards in each exhibit to be interesting.

All told we spent about 2.5 hours in Stirling. Rick’s guidebook’s self-guided tour of Stirling Castle was invaluable, so I’d recommend that to you. Enjoy!

I'd highly recommend taking a day trip to Stirling, not only for the castle, but just walking the town itself. My husband and I visited in October of 2022 as a day trip from Glasgow. We were gone 9 hours, including train travel. Though the day was damp and cold, it was an amazing time. I love old cemeteries and while walking the ground of one, a volunteer approached me and took me to the oldest grave in Stirling, dating back to 1579. My husband spent that time in a warm, cozy pub having beer and lunch. I enjoyed Stirling more than Edinburgh, where I hated the masses of tourists at the Castle, but loved the Palace of Holyrood/Abbey.

Ditto to everything that has been said already.

We've visited Stirling Castle twice and I'd happily return as it seems there is always something we missed seeing the previous times.

If you do decide to visit Stirling Castle we highly recommend the free tour. The guides are so knowledgeable and will help you to understand what you're seeing. I just discovered there is a Stirling Secret Tour, not free, that sounds fascinating.

Stirling Castle Tours info
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stirling-castle/tours/

These responses are fantastic! Thank you. I'm sold and will definitely do the trip to Stirling.

@accidental southerner, what Rabbie’s trip did you take specifically? I’m looking for one to Stirling castle. Thanks!!

Brenda in response to your question, here is the tour I took from Glasgow: “Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, and Boat Cruise”
https://www.rabbies.com/en-us/tour/stirling-castle-loch-lomond-and-cruise-day-tour-from-glasgow

Originally we wanted to take the “Oban Glencoe Highland Lochs and Castles” tour but it was sold out. In retrospect I’m glad because the tour we did take was a more relaxing day seeing beautiful places with less driving and more time per destination.

Thank you Accidental Southerner! I was looking at that same trip!
I am specifically looking for one to Stirling. I'm taking a 14 day trip that sees five castles but it doesn't include Stirling.

Yes, yes, yes!!! Stirling Castle was so much more interesting than Edinburgh Castle. I was really disappointed in the latter, but I absolutely loved the town of Stirling and its castle. It's a very easy train trip from Glasgow; about 30 plus minutes, and it was such a wonderful place to visit. You can get a taxi or, I think, a bus from the train station up to the castle, or you can walk. It's not far, but it is a steep climb. I enjoyed the walk and the views as you walk up are just breathtaking. And once you get to the top, just look out over the surrounding countryside and it's so gorgeous.

If you visit Stirling Castle, make sure you get there and join one of the free tours that they offer. They have one every hour, beginning at 10:00 a.m., and they're free with admission. The guides are wonderful, very humorous, very interesting, and will give you a fascinating look at the castle and its history.

And the town itself is also worth a wander. I would save that for after the castle, as you can leisurely make your way back down the main street, which will stop at a lot of the places that are worth a visit. This includes the Church of the Holy Rude, parts of which date from the 15th century, and the Old Town Jail. There's also Argyll's Lodging, which is included in your ticket to Stirling Castle.

When I was there, I had a very nice lunch at Darnley Coffee House, which is at the lower end of Broad Street. This house is where Mary Queen of Scots' second husband, Lord Darnley, is said to have stayed while the Royal entourage resided at the castle. While I was there, a large group of locals came in and we got to talking. They raved about it and said they eat there all the time. :) Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere was wonderful (we sat in these large barrel-vaulted rooms that are a unique feature of the house).

And I'm sorry for all the repetition. I just realized that much of what I said was already mentioned above, but I just love Stirling Castle so much that I had to let it all pour out! 😂 I hope you enjoy your visit.

Thank you Mardee! What a wonderful wealth of information! Maybe you want to go with me and be my guide! Lol!
My trip is in August. My husband usually travels with me but he doesn't feel like it this year. I'm going on a Globus tour. I've taken two Rick Steves trips in the past and loved them but his Scotland trip didn't make as many castle stops as I wanted. I've done one Globus tour in the past and had good luck.
Your post makes me want to take the day alone, without the Rabbie's tour, but I'm not quite sure yet. You've given me much to consider! Thanks again!

Picking up on Mardee's comment - Argyll's Lodgings are still closed until further notice for essential maintenance. You can only view the outside. They been closed foir 3-4 years now and there's no indication when they'll be opoen again. It's a pity as the inside was very interesting.

Despite that, there's plenty to do and see asa you walk round Stirling.