For me visiting Stirling is like going to my grannies for an afternoon cake. It has all the warmth and friendliness of a small town spiced with nobleness of an important historic site with a tale to tell.
Extra plus – reaching it with train takes only about 45 minutes, which is not even enough for my boys to become restless.
Once you step off the train finding Stirling Castle, The Church of Holy Rude or Argyll’s Lodging is quite straightforward. But one of the gems that lies in the shadow of the Castle and it’s often overlooked by visitors is Stirling Smith Museum and Gallery. We thought it was awesome so are exploration starts here – pass the Robert Burns Monument and few more minutes’ walk along Albert Place.
Stirling Smith Museum and Gallery
Upon entering, our first impression was that we are invading home of an enthusiastic collector who went on one shopping spree too many. Then we got lost in the stories. From Iron Age, kings and knights, battles and fights, through unique event in Stirling’s history – premier of the movie Braveheart, to possibly most unexpected item ever ‘The Oldest Football in The World’.
This treasure, made of leather and inflated by a pig’s bladder interior, dates from before 1540. and it was discovered in the rafters of Queen’s Chambers in the Castle. Apparently, football was very popular in the 16th century but also much rougher game then the one known today. For us Croatians (country that can only be united by war or football) this was a great find and of course we immediately send out pics of it to all family and friends.
Best part, especially for children, is Stirling Museum’s beautiful garden. While you are most likely to get lost in the crowd when strolling around the Castle, this wee gem emphasizes serenity. Picture fairies making garden for play and nature loving humans and you are there.
The Back Walk
Another oasis of green is The Black Walk. Starting at Corn Exchange Road with a wooden statue of a wolf it rises uphill and around Stirling Castle. Apart from mind calming panoramic views the path tells its own tales with many other carvings installed along the route. If you are with children calculate enough time for a chance to play around the mystical figures and maybe try to guess/write/draw their stories.
Stirling Castle
The Back Walk will lead you up to the Stirling Castle – visit worth the price of the tickets. Not only are The Palace Vaults made for kids to explore – from dress up, musical instruments and games, there are costumed performers bringing past back to life, and if you’re timing is right you might even be able to join an archery practice in the Queen Anne Gardens. Very easy to tune up to nobility spirit while roaming around the Castles ground. And even easier to stay here for a whole day.
The way I love to connect to places with my little explorers is to go with the flow, or wherever the road takes us with a few ‘must see’ attractions on the list. That first part often takes us into parks or allowing are taste buds to get upgraded hence we don’t always get to check all from the list.
Of course, that is just another good reason for us to come back. Like in the curious case of town Stirling, I am positive the wish to explore, among others, Engine Shed and Bridge of Allan’s Allanwater Brewhouse will bring us back to this path very soon. The last thing this time that we decided to visit was National Wallace Monument.
National Wallace Monument
Partially because yelling ‘freedom’, inspired with the story of William Wallace (and the above-mentioned movie), is often on my repertoire, and partially because boys wanted to see Wallace’s sword and find out more about him. Now I won’t say it was an easy climb as they were wee lads of five and two, but we did manage, and they did enjoy it. Especially soup and scones in the café 😊
If you enjoyed diving into history and past lives in Stirling Castle take a tour around Edinburgh Museums and Castle.