The Gardener’s Cottage, Dunblane

05/04/2025

During the school holiday, when visiting Dunblane Cathedral with young children, complete the free photograph-checklist explorer trails - seeking objects around the Cathedral

And when that's complete, then pick up the "Find Robert Leighton Quest" trail which also takes you into Dunblane Museum and Dunblane's historic Leighton Library, both just a few steps away from Dunblane Cathedral.

And be sure to ask in the Leighton Library for a sticker as a reward when you've completed this trail! Oh, and even more! The Leighton Library has a LEGO® Minifigure Trail, and Dunblane Museum has a trail to search for mice characters around the museum.

And they are all free!

🚪 Opening times for visiting Dunblane Cathedral can be found on the Historic Environment Scotland website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/dunblane-cathedral/

29/01/2025

Is your new year's resolution to get out and about more? Unsure where to start, and it's already almost February?! Don't worry, we've got you covered. There are plenty of great sites around Stirling to get your steps in, some fresh air, and make sure you'll be a whizz at the pub quiz history round. Follow along our Central Belt itinerary from Stirling to Doune!

Start at historic Stirling, where the best castle in the world is (if we do say so ourselves). Explore everything this small but mighty city has to offer! Roam the King's Knot, the royal pleasure ground below the castle, where monarchs once pursued their leisure interests. Or view the exterior of Mar's Wark, the remarkable Renaissance mansion on the road to the castle.

From there the world, or at least central Scotland, is your oyster!

In the Spring and Summer, head over to nearby Dollar to see the imposing fortress Castle Campbell, high above Dollar Glen, surrounded by a very dramatic landscape.

Then head North of Stirling and arrive at Doune Castle - one of Scotland's most famous spots, featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander. As well as being a screen star, the castle boasts magnificent architecture, views and a peaceful woodland walk - for even more steps!

For an even more peaceful vibe, hope across to Dunblane Cathedral, a medieval church which stands on a site that has been sacred for well over 1,000 years.

In the summer months, head west of Stirling and cross Scotland’s only lake to explore Inchmahome Priory on a peaceful, wooded island chosen as a monastic sanctuary.

Have we got you hankering to explore yet? All of these sites are free to enter with a Historic Scotland membership, so if you want historic adventures in 2025, head to our website to find out more: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/membership/

27/01/2025

Delighted to have received an award from Booking.com

13/12/2024

The iconic National Wallace Monument glowing at dusk is a sight to behold ✨. IG/echeyde38

18/10/2024

Golden rays of early morning sun shining through The Crown Spire of The National Wallace Monument 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. Photo by The Kilted Photographer 📸.

29/03/2024

03/03/2024

23/02/2024

Simply stunning views of Stirling Bridge with the Monument and Ochil Hills in the background 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. Have you crossed the River Forth here before? 🌊 IG/visitscotlandtours

22/02/2024

13/02/2024

13/02/2024

Castles and stories go hand in hand. From the lives of the royals who held forth in their great halls, the cooks in the palace kitchens who crafted exquisite feasts and the cold-to-the-bone guards who stood watch through the dark winter nights.

Every corner and every stone has its own story to tell, and who better to tell it than one of our brilliant Stirling Castle guides. Join them for a free guided tour every day and discover the tales that fill our castle with life.

We think they're the true hidden gems of any visit💎

01/02/2024