Visiting Stirling Castle and the town

We took a similar tour - not Rabbies - and the guide was so late picking us up we missed out on the whisky part of it. And the whisky part of it was the only reason I wasn't going to drive us.

We did see Stirling Castle -- while the guide waited in the parking lot. BUT the gold nugget was the docent on the castle's staff! He was fantastic. He was a memorable part of our time in Scotland.

The Falkirk Wheel is easy, in my opinion, from Stirling.
Train to Falkirk Grahamston, then McGills East Scotland bus 6 from outside to the wheel.
The only thing is that the bus doesn't run on a Sunday. On the way back Bus 6 drops you very close indeed to Falkirk High Station (see the route map), or you can even walk there along the canal from the wheel which literally brings you to the end of the station platform, for the train back to Glasgow.

The cheapest option for the buses is to get a Falkirk plus bus ticket with your train ticket-
https://www.plusbus.info/falkirk
(Ignore the fact it says valid on First Bus services, they were the previous operator).

The Holy Rude Church has a fascinating history, not least it's division into two opposing congregations for over 250 years.

I’m confused about buying a Historic Scotland membership if you’ve already booked your ticket online. Seems like you’re double paying. Holy Rude is on the way down the hill from the castle, so it isn’t out of the way. I liked wandering through the cemetery. The free tour at the castle is very informative and lasts just under an hour. Other than what you mentioned and just wandering the town, I didn’t see anything else of interest.

We had a rental car so we stopped at the Forth Bridge, Falkirk Wheel, the Kelpies, and Doune Castle, but we were coming from Edinburgh.

I’m confused about buying a Historic Scotland membership if you’ve already booked your ticket online. Seems like you’re double paying,

jaimeelsabio, I booked it online but did not pay for it. There's an option that allows HS members to book online (and they encourage it), so I have a ticket confirmation but did not pay for it. You show your membership card when you get there (or the membership confirmation if you don't have a ticket). I'm fairly certain I can buy the membership at that time but I did email them to make sure. I haven't heard back yet, though.

gbrennan, thanks! I'm looking forward to the tour.

Stuart, that sounds relatively easy - I'll try that, as I would like to see the Falkirk Wheel. Thanks!

Hi Mardee, if you just want to see the Falkirk wheel, you can just go do that. However, if you want to ride inside it, then I would highly recommend purchasing an advance ticket. We just showed up and it was sold out so could not actually experience it.

Makes sense now. I didn’t know booking and not paying was an option. When you buy the membership you’ll get a receipt that will have a bar code on it. We bought ours at Edinburgh Castle. Since you won’t have the actual card, it’s the bar code that will get scanned at any of the Historic Scotland sites. Have a great trip.

Not sure how many Historic Environment Scotland/Historic Scotland sites you plan to visit, but there is a pdf online listing them all.

I found this video gave me ideas about what to see in Sterling https://youtu.be/O6iFKiyejtY

Hi mardee, I have the old stirling bridge on my list. It’s about a 15 -minute walk from the train station or 18-minute walk from the castle.

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stirling-old-bridge/

Tammy, thank you! I'm not too sure about going up in it, though. I have a fear of heights and can control it to a certain extent but that looks pretty high to me. I understand what the boats do (sort of) but what happens when people are in it?

jamieelsablog, thanks! I've downloaded it and will be able to access it while traveling. I've been on their website and I am saving HS places on Google maps by destination for when I'm driving, too. So hopefully I'll get my money's worth but even if not, it's such a good cause that I don't mind contributing.

Thanks, roubrat! I will check that out!

Carrie, I love old bridges - thank you! That is beautiful - and will be really interesting to walk across!

Mardee,

You might like to watch this wee film (I hope the link works) about the wheel. It is all very slow and gentle, and I don't think you get a feeling of being high up when you are actually in the boat, partly due to the structure of the wheel, and partly due to the hillside giving you perspective. It isn't by any means a fairground ride. (the film speeds it up!)
I haven't heard of anyone being afeart of heights and not riding it. In fact when I was there there was someone with a family party who wasn't overly keen and had to be persuaded, but really enjoyed it when actually on the boat.
You can actually walk the adjacent hillside path faster than the boat rises!
But there is something hypnotic and also majestic about just watching the process if that's what you prefer.

It's funny how different people view things- I wouldn't do that RIB ride from Skye (I would take the conventional boat). I might enjoy it for all I know (I enjoyed white water rafting in Colorado, if distinctly unconvinced beforehand) but my fears would get the better of me.

Oh, I get it - you're in the boat! That makes sense - for some reason, I was thinking that people were walking along up high. 🙄 Thank you for the video, Stuart - that does make it look like something I could handle. And I do love boats - I've never been afraid of anything on the water (and I love white water rafting!). I do have a feeling I will get wet on that RIB boat, though.💦

I was unsure about stiling, but after reading this, I’m going to have to put it on my “must see” list. 😊

Living in the fields below the iconic Stirling Castle, Highland cows
graze happily, offering some amazing photo opportunities with the
castle in the background! Take the footpath down from the castle to
find them.

https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/holiday-ideas/great-places-to-see-highland-cows-in-scotland/#central-link

Carrie, thanks! I will definitely be looking for the coos!