The best things to do in Stirling with kids

Stirling doesn’t always get the same billing as Edinburgh or Glasgow, but from its place in Scottish history to its quirky attractions and gorgeous countryside, the number of things to do in Stirling with kids means it should be on every family’s list.

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This compact city sits right in the middle of Scotland, and that’s not just in geography terms – for centuries, whoever held Stirling more or less held the country, which is why you’ll find a castle, a battlefield and a monument to a national hero all within a few miles of each other.

We made it the first stop on our Scottish road trip, basing ourselves here for a couple of days before exploring further – most things are in easy walking distance, whether you’re wandering through the Old Town or checking out places to eat in the newer streets. So here’s what to fit in, with my pick of the best things to do in Stirling with kids.

Stirling Castle

If you do only one thing (although you’ll want to do lots more), it’s a visit to Stirling Castle. Perched high on a volcanic crag above the city, it’s one of Scotland’s most fascinating castles – and you’ll find plenty that’s family-friendly as you go.

Dating back to at least 1110, it was extended by James V for his queen, before becoming the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and has been the site of countless sieges, royal christenings, a coronation and plenty intrigue over the centuries.

Allow at least three hours to do it justice – you could happily spend longer if you’d like to discover every corner, from towers to vaults, gardens to kitchens and grand royal apartments.

The Royal Palace is the heart of the castle, added by James V for Marie of Guise and drawing some of its inspiration from the French chateaux of her own home, as well as making a statement about his own power.

As you wander through the vaults, take on the free explorer quiz and enjoy plenty of chances to get hands on, learning more about daily life with everything from musical instruments and lavish fashion to valuable items traded with the court and a game of spot the jester.

There’s also a room with a useful introduction to Scottish history, the castle and the Stirling heads – intricate carvings decorating the ceiling which you’ll spot later.

Then you’ll head into the royal apartments themselves, restored to their 16th century glory, including a few costumed characters wandering around, ornate beds, intricate tapestries and a throne on display.

Plus the famous Stirling Heads themselves, depictions of royalty (including James V, flanked by his first and second queens), gods, goddesses and mythical heroes and more – handily with a moveable mirror and guide, so you don’t have to crane your neck to see.

From the courtyard, you can peek inside the chapel royal built by James VI then pose on one of the throne-like chairs at the top table in the sprawling Great Hall with its soaring ceilings as you imagine the banquets which once took place, and ponder just how you could fit 500 people in.

Don’t miss the Great Kitchens either, where you can see how a royal feast for hundreds would have been prepared, right down to the fake boar’s head and barrels of ale.

You’ll find various other exhibitions, from a timeline looking at the archaeology and history of the site, as well as everything from displays on the military to embroidery, plus some lovely gardens to wander.

And the ramparts give some fabulous views too – on a clear day you can pick out the Wallace Monument, the Ochil Hills and the silvery loops of the River Forth below, with several chances to gaze out both from the castle walls and from the courtyard.

There are guided tours which you can join, but it’s more fun for families to go at their own pace. You can also order an audio guide for your phone, but while I managed to download it on WiFi at the entrance, I then promptly lost all data and frustratingly then only managed to get it to load a couple of times – plenty of information when I did, but I’d suggest you can live without it.

Entry is free to Historic Scotland members, with discounts for English Heritage/CADW members, while children under 7 go free. There’s also a discount if you arrive using public transport – we had train tickets from our journey up, although no-one actually asked to see them.

Battle of Bannockburn Experience

When it comes to historic events, the castle is only the start of what you’ll find in Stirling. A couple of miles south of the castle brings you to Bannockburn, the site of one of the most significant battles in Scottish history.

In 1314, Robert the Bruce’s army defeated a much larger English force here, a victory that helped secure Scottish independence and which still gets a mention in Flower of Scotland, the country’s unofficial national anthem.

The Battle of Bannockburn Experience is run by the National Trust for Scotland, and it’s a proper interactive history lesson rather than a room full of information boards.

Entry to the visitor centre, café and gift shop is free, but the main attraction – the immersive battle experience itself – is a separate, timed-entry ticket, and it’s worth booking ahead as the hour-long slots can sell out, especially in the school holidays.

Inside, you’re taken through the story of the battle via a series of exhibits and some dramatic storytelling from your guide, before heading into the Battle Room, where a digitally recreated version of the fighting plays out around you on a huge circular screen and profiles of some of the participants put a few faces to the facts.

There’s also the chance to heft some of the weapons and armour used (chained down, in case anyone gets too enthusiastic about re-enactments), including the huge spears used by the Scottish army, measuring around 12-16ft. They’re actually less heavy to lift than you might expect… although I was only doing it for less than a minute, rather than for hours while being charged by armoured cavalry.

It’s a great way to bring the event to life for kids, although it’s best for age 7+ as there is a lot of information to take in, and some of it is – unsurprisingly – quite gory.

Afterwards, head outside into the memorial park, where you can walk the site where the Bruce is said to have raised his royal standard before the battle, and there’s a striking bronze statue of the man himself on a horse to admire.

The experience is free for National Trust for Scotland and National Trust members, with family tickets also available. Buses run from Stirling city centre, or a taxi costs around £10 (we used the Stirling taxis app, which ended up costing a not much more than bus fares for a family)

There are major upgrades planned for the centre, which is due to shut in October 2026, reopening in 2028, although the grounds will remain open.

The National Wallace Monument

You’ll have already spotted it looming over the city from just about everywhere else on this list – the National Wallace Monument sits high on Abbey Craig, a rocky hill just outside Stirling, and honours Sir William Wallace, aka Braveheart.

Forget the Hollywood history and Mel Gibson daubed with woad: the real Scottish knight led Scotland’s resistance against English rule at the end of the 13th century and won a famous victory nearby at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

This is one for families who don’t mind a climb, in more ways than one. From the car park, there’s a gentle 15 to 20 minute woodland walk up through Abbey Craig to reach the tower, with a woodcarving trail along the way that’s designed to transport you from the Ice Age to the building of the Monument – giving all ages plenty of excuses to pause.

There’s also a shuttle bus for anyone who’d rather save their energy for the main event – climbing up to the galleries and viewing platform of the Monument itself.

You’ll climb 246 steps up a narrow spiral staircase to the top of the tower, passing through the Hall of Arms, the Hall of Heroes – lined with busts of notable Scots – and the Royal Chamber along the way, each one giving you a breather and a bit more of the story.

The reward at the top, known as The Crown, is a spectacular 360-degree view across the Forth Valley, the Highlands to the north and the battlefields of Stirling’s past spread out below – on a clear day it’s one of the best panoramas in this part of Scotland, and well worth the sore legs.

It’s definitely not a route for buggies though – if you’re visiting with babies and toddlers, bring a carrier (or be prepared to do some carrying as it’s hard work for little legs). There’s free parking, while buses run from Stirling city centre, or taxis cost around £10.

Stirling Old Town Jail

Next, go directly to jail! For something a little different – and a lot less climbing than the Wallace Monument – the Old Town Jail is one of Stirling’s most unusual attractions, just a short walk from the castle and the Church of the Holy Rude.

Built on the principles of reform, it was designed to replace the former prison, which had been named the worst in the country… twice.

The guided tours lead you through the Victorian prison, with your guide playing a whole series of characters from warder to prisoners and the hangman, bringing the building’s often grim history to life.

With a focus on rehabilitation and reform, and a move away from the overcrowded, unsanitary and violent lock-ups of the past, there’s plenty to get teens thinking about crime and punishment too – and with a couple of younger visitors on our tour, our guide was great at reassuring them so they found it entertaining rather than frightening.

Along the way, you can go into some of the old cells, where there are more displays on some of the people who passed through the doors, Victorian justice and daily life.

Then take the lift up to the roof, getting a glimpse of some of the other floors of cells along the way, for some more fantastic views – one of the temporary exhibitions gave me chance to lock my husband in the pillory too.

If you don’t join the guided tour of Stirling’s Old Town Jail, there are also a few rooms of displays to look around, plus some of the fun interactive activities – have your mugshot taken or make the front pages, for example – but you’ll really be missing out as a lot of the highlights are only accessible with the tour.

There are also two escape rooms if you want the full experience of being locked up and trying to break free!

Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum

If you fancy a free, low-key stop between the bigger sights, the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum is well worth a detour.

It’s the city’s local museum, packed with quirky finds – including what’s claimed to be the world’s oldest football, discovered in the rafters of the Royal Palace at Stirling Castle – alongside changing exhibitions and displays on the city’s history.

Just outside, Ailie’s Garden is a small but enticing outdoor space, designed to show off different habitats but with some fun additions for younger children amidst the biodiversity – look out for the giant xylophone, as well as some hands-on activities.

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, there’s free entry to all ages otherwise, so it’s also a handy option on a rainy day in Stirling with kids.

Old Stirling Bridge

Not to be confused with the current road bridge into town, the Old Stirling Bridge is the atmospheric stone crossing near the site of the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge, and it’s a lovely, easy stroll along the River Forth.

You can carry on to Cambuskenneth Abbey, a 12th century creation that’s the resting place of King James III and his wife Queen Margaret, known for its striking standalone bell tower – the walk takes around 30 minutes depending how fast everyone wants to amble.

King’s Park

For another outdoor option, King’s Park is Scotland’s oldest park, a huge green space with plenty of open ground to burn off some energy. 

Once a royal hunting ground, the site below Stirling Castle has a play area, skate park and boating pond, as well as lots of space to kick a football around or relax with a picnic.

From autumn 2026, three waymarked trails are also planned to run through the park, tracing its history from medieval to modern.

Day trips from Stirling with kids

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park

A short drive from Stirling, Blair Drummond Safari Park is perfect if you fancy trading castles for creatures for a day – and it’s easy to spend a full day here.

Home to over 350 exotic animals from across the world, you can journey through the park’s animal reserve in your car to see many of the usual safari park favourites, including lions, elephants, rhinos, antelope, and camels.

But it’s the foot safari that’s the real highlight of Blair Drummond. Here you’ll find many fascinating and unusual animals, including bison, wallabies, llamas, alpacas, free-roaming lemurs, and cheeky chimps – who even have their own private chimp island. 

Plus, don’t miss the adorable shaggy-coated Highland Cattle and the friendly Highland Ponies, both of which are native to the Scottish Highlands.

The Pet Farm lets kids get up close and personal with the likes of pygmy goats, sheep, and deer, while the Sea Lion displays and Bird of Prey shows are sure to keep the whole family entertained.

Beyond the wildlife, the family-friendly safari park also has free pedal boats on the central lake, an adventure play area with a giant play fort and pirate ship, amusement arcades, and a mini-funfair with dodgems and teacups. 

If your kids prefer smaller animals – or can’t get enough of animal attractions – Briarlands Farm Park isn’t far from Blair Drummond Safari Park, with play areas as well as the farm animals

Visit Falkirk

Stirling makes a great base to explore the area nearby, and it’s only around a half-hour drive to Falkirk for two of the town’s unusual attractions.

The Kelpies and Helix Park are perect for getting outdoors, with a series of walking trails through the wetlands and woodland, play areas and a chance to see the Kelpies themselves, two 30m-tall metal sculptures of horses’ heads.

For more ideas of the best things to do in Falkirk with kids, check out my top picks

But my own highlight was the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift. Connecting the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal, the lift replaced the flight of 11 locks, which took a day or more to traverse – now boats are lifted 24 metres in around five minutes.

As well as watching this engineering marvel in action, and discovering how it uses principles dating back over 2,000 years, you can take a boat trip yourself and travel from the lower level to the upper canal, passing through a tunnel which runs under the ancient Roman Antonine Wall and enjoying some astonishing views along with the tour’s guided commentary.

If you want to use Stirling as your base to explore more of Scotland, you’re less than an hour from Edinburgh and as little as 30 minutes from Glasgow by train, while it’s under an hour to get to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

Getting around Stirling with kids

Stirling’s city centre is small and very walkable, but do be prepared for hills – the Old Town, castle and jail all sit up on the crag, so there’s a fair bit of climbing involved whichever route you take.

A buggy works fine around the town itself, but you’ll want a carrier for the castle interior and definitely for the Wallace Monument’s spiral stairs.

Most of the biggest attractions – the castle, Bannockburn and the Wallace Monument – are a short drive apart, so a car is handy if you’re planning to fit in more than one a day, though local buses and taxis cover the same ground if you’d rather not deal with parking (which is limited and can be pricey right by the castle).

There are regular trains to Stirling from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Falkirk, with the station just a short walk from the town centre

If you’re coming from Edinburgh or Glasgow, Stirling is an easy day trip by train, with the station a level, flat walk from the town centre – just save your legs for the climb up to the castle once you arrive, around 15-20 minutes away up the hill.

For more tips on how to include Stirling in a Scotland road trip with kids, check out my itinerary ideas

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National Wallace Monument/Stirling Old Bridge/Blair Drummond images courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels

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