Stirling and the Central Highlands
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Stirling and the Central Highlands - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Sort by:
45 Recommendations
{{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }}
0 Recommendations
Loading...
-
21. Castle Menzies
A 16th-century fortified tower house, Castle Menzies contains the Clan Menzies Museum, which displays many relics of the clan's history. The rooms have been carefully restored, including the bedroom where Bonnie Prince Charlie once took refuge. The castle stands west of Aberfeldy, on the opposite bank of the River Tay. A walled garden is nearby. The castle has a tearoom that is open on some Saturdays and Sundays.
Aberfeldy Road, Weem, Perth and Kinross, PH15 2JD, Scotland01887-820982Sight Details
Rate Includes: £8, Closed Nov.--Mar. -
22. Church of the Holy Rude
The nave of this handsome church survives from the 15th century, and a portion of the original medieval timber roof can also be seen. This is the only Scottish church still in use to have witnessed the coronation of a Scottish monarch—James VI (1566–1625) in 1567. The origin of the name Holy Rude (similar to Holyrood in Edinburgh) is Holy Cross. October through April, the building is often open only during service time on Sunday morning (10 am January through June, 11:30 am July through December).
Top of St. John's St., Stirling, Stirling, FK8 1ED, Scotland -
23. Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery
This established distillery offers tours that demonstrate how Aberfeldy single-malt whisky is made (with a tasting at the end, of course); audio guides and interactive screens add to the appeal. There's also a worthwhile Heritage Center and a pleasant restaurant. The basic tours are £9, but there are more expensive tours for whisky experts, including cask tastings. Dewar's also makes blended whiskies.
A827, Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross, PH15 2EB, Scotland01887-822010Sight Details
Rate Includes: Basic tour £9; cask tasting tour £16.50, Closed Sun. Nov.--Mar -
24. Doune Castle
This medieval castle may seem eerily familiar because it is a favorite with filmmakers: Monty Python and the Holy Grail was filmed here, and more recently it was used in the Game of Thrones and Outlander series (and the admission price has risen since Outlander aired). In 1361 the castle became the seat of Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany and Governor of Scotland, who embarked on various building projects. The semi-ruined Doune is grim and high-walled, with a daunting central keep and echoing, drafty stairways up to the curtain-wall walk. Climb the wall; the views over the countryside will make it worthwhile. Monty Python's Terry Jones narrates a good audio guide. The best place to photograph this squat, walled fort is from the bridge, a little way upstream.
View Tours and ActivitiesCastle Road, Doune, Stirling, FK16 6EA, Scotland01786-841742Sight Details
Rate Includes: £9 -
25. Dunblane Cathedral
The oldest part of Dunblane—with its narrow winding streets—huddles around this church's square. Bishop Clement built the cathedral in the early 13th century on the site of St. Blane's tiny 8th-century cell; with the Reformation of the 16th century, it ceased to be a cathedral. In 1996 it was the scene of a moving memorial service for the 15 children and one teacher killed in the local school by Thomas Hamilton. There are free guided tours on Sunday afternoons. Be sure to view the medieval carvings in the choir stalls.
The Cross, Dunblane, Stirling, FK15 0AQ, Scotland01667-460232Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
26. Elcho Castle
Built around 1560 on the River Tay, the castle marks a transition period when these structures began to be built as grand houses rather than fortresses, and it's easy to see that Elcho was built for both comfort and defense. The well-preserved but uncluttered rooms let you imagine how life might have been here in the 17th century. The staircases still give access to all floors, and a flashlight is provided for the darker corners. From the battlements of the castle you can see the river stretching east and west.
Off A912, Perth, Perth and Kinross, PH2 8QQ, Scotland01738-639998Sight Details
Rate Includes: £6, Closed Oct.--Mar. -
27. Glen Lyon
One of central Scotland's most attractive glens, 34-mile-long Glen Lyon is also one of its longest. It has a rushing river, thick forests, and the typical big house hidden on private grounds. There's a dam at the head of the loch, a reminder that little of Scotland's scenic beauty is unadulterated. The winding road lends itself to an unrushed, leisurely drive, past the visitor center at the access to Ben Lawers, a popular climb.
A827, Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross, ScotlandSight Details
Rate Includes: Free -
28. Glenturret Distillery
To discover the delights of whisky distilling, sign up for the Distillery Tour at the Glenturret Distillery, which claims to be Scotland's oldest. Here you learn how whisky is made and why time, water, soil, and air are so important to the taste. A guide takes you through the distillery and to the bar where you can have a glass of Glenturret's famous single malt and try your skill at "nosing." You might cap your tour with lunch in the Wild Thyme café and restaurant. Signs lead to the distillery on the west side of the town.
Comrie Road, Crieff, Perth and Kinross, PH7 4HA, Scotland01764-656565Sight Details
Rate Includes: Tour £11; Fudge Tour £30 -
29. Hamilton Toy Museum
This is one of those eccentric museums born of one person's (or one family's) passionate obsession. The small, crowded house and shop on Callander's main street contains one of the most extensive toy collections in Britain. The rooms throughout the house are crammed with everything from Corgi cars and an enormous number of toy soldiers, carefully organized by regiment, to Amanda Jane dolls and Beatles memorabilia. The collection of model railways has extended into tracks in the back garden. The museum is jammed and quirky, but full of reminders of everyone's childhood.
111 Main St., Callander, Stirling, FK17 8BQ, Scotland01877-330004Sight Details
Rate Includes: £4, Closed Sun. and Nov.--Mar. -
30. House of Bruar
An upscale shopping complex, the House of Bruar has a heavy emphasis on traditional tweeds and cashmeres. A large supermarket sells local produce and food, and a restaurant serves breakfast and lunch. When you're done shopping, take a walk up the path that crosses Bruar Falls, behind the complex. The complex is also a popular stop for coach tours.
-
31. Leighton Library
A 17th-century bishop of Dunblane, and later an archbishop of Glasgow, Robert Leighton donated his collection of roughly 1,400 books for clergy to use, along with funds to build this library to store them. Today the library---which is no longer a lending library but operates like a museum of books---owns more than 4,500 books, and you can view an assortment of old and interesting maps and books here. Donations are encouraged.
13 Buccleuch Court, Dunblane, Stirling, FK15 0AR, Scotland01786-822034-Library custodianSight Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Oct.--Apr, Free -
32. Loch Achray
Stretching west of the small community of Brig o' Turk, Loch Achray dutifully fulfills expectations of what a verdant Trossachs loch should be: small, green, reedy meadows backed by dark plantations, rhododendron thickets, and lumpy hills, thickly covered with heather.
A821, Brig o'Turk, Stirling, FK17, Scotland -
33. Loch Achray
Between Loch Katrine and Loch Venachar, this small and calm man-made lake is popular for fishing. Hikers climb nearby Ben A'an for the views.
Off A821, Aberfoyle, Stirling, Scotland -
34. Loch Lomond Shores
This lakeside shopping complex contains restaurants, pubs, and a visitor center. Some cruises set sail from here and there are occasional events, but its most attractive quality is the beautiful view of Loch Lomond.
Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, G83 8QL, Scotland01389-751031 -
35. Loch of the Lowes
From the lochside hides at this Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve near Dunkeld, you can observe the area's rich birdlife through a powerful telescope. The main attractions are always the ospreys, one of Scotland's conservation success stories, which can be observed between April and August. But there is much to see throughout the year, like the great crested grebe at feeding stations. The enthusiastic staff will willingly describe what is happening around the center.
Off A923, Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, PH8 0HH, Scotland01350-727337Sight Details
Rate Includes: £4.90, Closed Tues., Wed., and Nov.--Feb. -
36. Loch Venachar
The A821 runs west together with the first and gentlest of the Trossachs lochs, Loch Venachar. A sturdy gray-stone building, with a small dam at the Callander end, controls the water that feeds into the River Teith (and, hence, into the Forth).
A821, Brig o'Turk, Stirling, FK17, Scotland -
37. National Wallace Monument
This Victorian-era shrine to William Wallace (circa 1270–1305), the Scottish freedom fighter reborn as "Braveheart" in Mel Gibson's 1995 film of the same name, was built between 1856 and 1869. It sits on Abbey Craig, from which Wallace watched the English armies struggle across the old Stirling Bridge before attacking them and winning a major victory in 1297. A steep stone spiral staircase leads to the roof gallery, with views of the bridge and the whole Carse of Stirling. A less flamboyant version of Wallace's life is told in an exhibition and audiovisual presentation on the second floor. To reach the monument, follow the Bridge of Allan signs (A9) northward, crossing the River Forth by the New Bridge of 1832, next to the old one. The monument is signposted at the next traffic circle. From the car park a free shuttle will take you to the monument, or you can walk (15 minutes).
Hillfoots Rd., Stirling, Stirling, FK9 5LF, Scotland01786-472140Sight Details
Rate Includes: £10.75 -
38. Old Town Jail
Though an improvement on the original jail across the road at the Tolbooth, this newer county jail was still a pretty grim place as a visit to its cells and corridors will show. The ticket price includes an audio guide, and in the summer months costumed actors recount in gory detail what went on here. There's also now an Escape Room, where you work as a team to solve some shady activities in the jail. Be sure to book tickets and reserve a time slot in advance, especially in summer.
St. John St., Stirling, Stirling, FK8 1EA, Scotland01786-595024Sight Details
£8.50, Escape Room £10 Rate Includes: Closed Jan. and weekdays Nov. and Dec. -
39. Pass of Killiecrankie Visitor Centre
Set among the oak woods and above a rocky river just north of Pilochry, the Pass of Killiecrankie was the site of a famous battle won by the Jacobites in 1689. The battle was notable for the death of the central Jacobite leader, John Graham of Claverhouse (1649–89), also known as Bonnie Dundee, who was hit by a stray bullet. One English soldier is reputed to have escaped the Jacobite troops by jumping into the river at a point still known as "Soldier's Leap." After Dundee's death the rebellion petered out. The National Trust for Scotland's visitor center at Killiecrankie explains the significance of this battle, which was the first attempt to restore the Stewart monarchy.
B8079, Pitlochry, Perth and Kinross, PH16 5LG, Scotland01796-473233Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Nov.--Apr. -
40. Perth Art Gallery and Museum
This museum has a wide-ranging collection, including exhibits on natural history, local history, archaeology, and art, as well as an important glass collection. It also includes work by the great painter of animals Sir Edwin Landseer and some botanical studies of fungi by Beatrix Potter.
78 George St., Perth, Perth and Kinross, PH1 5LB, Scotland01738-632488Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free, Closed Tues. and Wed.
-
{{ (numCurrentPage-1)*numPageLimit+index+1 }}.
{{ item.neighborhood }} | {{ item.first_keyword }}{{ item.review }}
{{ item.address }}{{ item.phone[0] }}{{ item.details.title }} Details
{{ item.details.content.toString() }}View Tours and Activities -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
No sights Results
Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:
There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Sights in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:
