Samhain Festival

Samhain is usually celebrated at sunset on the 31st of October. It is the traditional Celtic festival marking the coming of winter and the “darker half” of the year. Many rituals associated with Samhain have been carried down the years and co-opted by other religions or events. Samhain was believed to be a “liminal” time…

Ghost Stories of Central Scotland

With dark nights and the cold in the air, there’s no better time to share ghost stories.  The Green Lady of Stirling Castle A former servant of Mary Queen of Scots this woman has been wandering the corridors of Stirling Castle since her untimely death centuries ago. One night the curtains of Mary’s four-poster bed…

Heavy Metal at the Engine Shed

The Engine Shed is Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre, based in Stirling. Run by Historic Environment Scotland, it serves as a central hub for building and conservation professionals and the general public. Scotland’s historic built environment is a finite and unique resource, yet its care calls for conservation skills that are in short supply. This…

3 reasons to visit Falkirk

Falkirk is a small industrial town situated about 15 miles from Stirling and 30 miles from Edinburgh. Here are three points of interest that will make you want to add it to your itinerary.   The Kelpies One of the most popular attractions in Stirlingshire, this striking installation resembles the mythical creatures from Scottish folklore.…

Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park

Across the river from Perth City Centre is the Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park. A haven for walkers and cyclists. In 1991 Kinnoull Hill became the first dedicated Woodland Park in Scotland. There are four marked walking trails in the Woodland Park taking you up through the woods to the summit. The climb from the Corsie…

The Battle of Stirling Bridge

History After the Battle of Dunbar (1296), in which King Edward I had sent his commander, the Earl of Surrey, north in answer to a refusal by the Scottish King John Balliol to support his wars in France, the Scottish commanders Andrew Moray and William Wallace had succeeded in bringing under their control the vast…

Beer hunting across Scotland

Whisky is and always will be Scotland’s national drink, but did you know that this country also has a history of brewing beer that dates back 5,000 years? Machinery and techniques might have changed over the centuries, but the population’s love for the cold, refreshing drink remains the same. In this day and age, smaller…