The Scottish Crannog Centre

Located on Loch Tay offers exhibitions, hands-on craft demonstrations and tours. The Crannog was an ancient dwelling – the first known examples dating to 2,500 years ago. This fantastic visitor attraction offers a look back in time, and is a great day out on the beautiful scenic Loch Tay. Open from April to October.

Stirling Castle

One of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, Stirling Castle been named as one of the ‘Top 40 Amazing Experiences in Europe’ in an e-book published by Lonely Planet, the world’s largest travel book publisher. The Castle’s long history is linked to great people from Scotland’s past including William Wallace and Mary Queen of Scots.

The castle sits on top of Castle Hill and is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, providing a strong defensive position. Most of the main buildings of the castle date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, while some from the fourteenth century also remain. The castle is a very popular visitor attraction managed by Historic Scotland.

Doune Castle

A medieval castle near the village of Doune 8 miles north-west of Stirling. Recent research has shown that the castle was originally built in the thirteenth century, then probably damaged in the Scottish Wars of Independence before being rebuilt in its present form in the late fourteenth century by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, the son of King Robert II of Scotland.

The castle was planned as a courtyard with buildings on each side, although only the northern and north-western buildings were completed. These comprise a large tower house over the entrance, containing the rooms of the Lord and his family, and a seperate tower containing the kitchen and guest rooms. The two are linked by the great hall.

The National Wallace Monument

Located just outside Stirling and signposted from the City Centre. The galleries within the Monument, and the Crown at the top of the building, are accessed via a spiral staircase, with a total of 246 steps (alternative facilities are available for those unable to use the stairs). Visitors to the Monument will see The Hall of Arms, Hall of Heroes,the Royal Chamber and when you reach the Crown at the top will be greeted with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.

The Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway and Museum of Scottish Railways

A ten mile scenic return train journey to Manuel along the Forth Estuary, though woodlands, past waterfalls and over the Avon Viaduct in addition to the museum which houses railway exhibits of locomotives, carriages, wagons and other rail artefacts.