Hello, I will be coming in Scotland in a few weeks and will be going to Edinburgh and Stirling among other places. Both castles seem to be a bit similiar in era. I would like to do a complete entry and tour of both but for the sake of saving time and money, which one would you recommend we enter and tour and which one should we just walk the grounds and view from the outside? thank you
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
Sorry Lena, but they are very different castles. Edinburgh has the politics of the capital. The views of the city and the Firth of Forth are not to be missed. Also, the Honors of Scotland, the room where Mary Queen of Scotts gave birth to James VI and I, and the war Memorial and St. Margaret's Chapel are all worth the visit. Stirling is also phenomenal. The renaissance palace was just re-opened last June, the geography of the site and it's importance in terms of Scottish history make it worth the visit. I truly can't say view one from the outside. These are probably the two most important and impressive castles in Scotland. There is so much to learn and understand about Scotland and about it's people in these two places. Find somewhere else to skimp. Pam
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
Both castles are well worthwhile and different (as stated by Pam). We've taken both castle tours a few times (7 years apart) and wouldn't want to pick one over the other. You will be given a lot of info (& humour) packed into a relatively short tour and then will be 'free' to walk the grounds anyways. If you're in Stirling, don't forget to make a trip up to the Wallace monument.
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
In re-reading your post I realized that you may not understand that each of these castles is made up of several buildings. Edinburgh Castle has the lower castle and then you go further up to where the main buildings are. St. Margaret's Chapel is the oldest building and is a sweet small building. Near it is the pet cemetary and Mons Meg the giant canon was near it last time I was there. Then you can explore the different battlements to see the views of the city and the Firth of Forth. There is the Royal Palace which also has the honors of Scotland including the Stone of Scone. The Great Hall sometimes has players and story tellers in it. The war memorial is very moving. I liked the prisoner of war museum and there is War Museum as well. Stirling Castle is similar in that it also sits on a volcanic plug, but it has such different buildings. First is the gate house which is impressive. Check out the small garden to the left. The Renaissance Palace reopened a year ago and I can hardly wait to see it. It took years to complete it. Then you need to check out James the IV's Great Hall. The color is so surprising. The Royal Chapel was the first building to be restored. The Kitchens are wonderful. It looks like there is something new in the Vaults. Again you'll want to explore the walls and check out the views. Argyll's Lodgings are very near by and well worth checking out. Pam