In a couple of weeks we head over the pond to the UK, spending the first 3 days in Edinburgh. I wanted to take a day tour to Stirling as I am a big history buff. Wanted to see the castle, but also Wallace Monument, Castle Doune, and Bannockburn. Oh, and a distillery. I cannot find a tour operator who hits all these places in a day tour. So I need advice on how I can do this on my own without driving. (The distillery part eliminates the driving.) So could I take the train to Stirling, then buses or taxis to the sights I want to visit? Is that very feasible in a day? Thanks for your help

No help directly but we went to North Berwick (by train from Edinburgh) for a boat tour of the bird colony on Bass Rock. Highly recommended.

Trains run from Edinburgh to Stirling every 30 minutes during the day. The website for Castle Doune gives details of the bus that runs tio Doune from Stirling as does the website for Bannockburn. The only distillery I know of in the Stirling area is near Doune

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/
http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/95/GettingThere/
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/...Doune%20Castle
http://www.stirling.gov.uk/index/bus...llerytours.htm

Thanks. Would it make be affordable to take a taxi from Stirling to Wallace Monument, Doune, and Bannockburn?

What about Saint Andrews? We took a tour company that was located close the castle. Very good service....wonderful trip...it was so beautiful.

"<i>The distillery part eliminates the driving.</i>"

They don't give you more than a wee (very wee) dram. A distillery visit would not preclude a driving tour IMO.

The only practical way you could squeeze all that in would be to rent a car and drive-- and it would let you visit Inchmahome as well.

Early AM collect a car at EDI - drive to Port of Menteith arriving around 9:30. Take the boat out to the island and spend 45 mins to an hour exploring Inchmahome . Then drive over to Doune (approx. a 25 min drive) and get there around 11AM. Visit the castle and Distillery. Doune to Stirling Castle takes less than 15 minutes. Eat a late-ish lunch in Stirling and explore the castle for a couple of hours.

From the Castle to Bannockburn takes 5-10 mins. -- so by 4:30-5PM you will have seen it all --and can then easily drive back to EDI to drop the car.

Janis

Was hoping to hear from you as your advice is usually spot on. Thanks very much