I am looking at hotels in Stirling. The beds are described as "double" and some say King. Is a double a Queen bed or actually a double bed? (which is smaller than a Queen) Thanks for any light you can shed on this subject!

They do vary and are different sizes than in North America. But a general rule of thumb is a 'king' in the UK is a little larger than a US queen. Some kings are actually two twins linked together and these are little wider (and are very common in B&Bs and small hotels so they can set the rooms with one or two beds.

Here is a list/descriptions: https://www.bedandmattress.co.uk/size_guide

The two twins into one bed system is often dictated by narrow stairways in old buildings without elevators. Anything larger can't make it upstairs.

I wouldn't mind 4 twin beds. But my family is tall and while 2 of us can "make do" in a Queen bed, a double is a "no go". In the US, they have 2 Queens in a room and that works for us for a night. Looks like that is not the norm in Scotland?

Nor almost anywhere in Europe. To get that sort of set up you'd mostly have to stick to modern international chains.

There are family rooms in Scotland/the UK but they usually consist of a double and one or two twin beds.

If you are tall then surely it is the length of the bed that matters not the width?
How tall is tall?

In the UK, a double bed is 4’6” wide and 6’3” in length.

A king size bed is 5’ wide and 6’6” long

Try Premier Inn. there's one in stirling...right in the centre. Most have King size beds but the Stirling one seems to have Double and King. King is 150 x 200 cm. You can call to make sure.

That is useful IF the 2nd and 3rd guests are both under 16 yo. Anyone sixteen and above is considered adult and aren't allowed to share more than 2 to a room. (and yes, they do check). If both kids are 15 or younger, the Stirling PI would work - otherwise you'd need two rooms.

PI pricing is variable like most hotels so it's difficult to say but it's possible that even if they do need to get two rooms, it could compare favourably in value with one room at another hotel. Not necessarily cheaper or the same but they may find it to be better value for the additional room and privacy at cost that may be close enough to a single room elsewhere. But that's an individual preference. I also think that many UK hotels are strict about ages and multiple 'adults' in rooms.
PI generally is very good value for money. Consistently good, comfortable, clean, modern, well run hotels. Head and shoulders above many other UK chains and independents.

Thanks for all this info!! We are staying in apartments for our longer stays but there are at least 2 nights where we are just there for one night. I may try to see if we can still do an apartment for one of those nights. We almost always stay in apartments--easier for meals, space to spread out and we can get enough beds or bed variety to meet everybody's needs. At the airport-the night before we fly home-I got 2 adjoining twin rooms. The kids will be 15 and 17 so that can also be an issue depending on what the hotel considers to be the age for the adult cut off.

It is the width that is an issue. It wouldn't be if we all slept like logs But I am a side sleeper and draw my knees up, DS star fishes, DD spreads out, etc. All those long limbs take up space. So we need at least a queen to share. I will check out those measurements against one of our queen beds and see if it will work.

PremierInn works out well on a number of fronts, easy to check into, a no-pay option if you cannot sleep, big beds, bags of hot water. Tends to be used by commercial travellers (if such terms mean anything) and passing through stag/hen does. Always worth asking for a quiet floor. Sandwich machines in the foyer are ok, normally net to a breakfast bar of the same chain.

Another vote for Premier Inns. I used them for the first time on my last trip to the UK (I needed an elevator, my knees quit). Good sized room (especially notable in London), clean, comfortable, edible food (dinner as well as breakfast), excellent staff. I think the clientele varies by location, the one in London had a lot of families, the one in Exeter more solos. No ambience, but how long are you gong to spend in the hotel?

>>The kids will be 15 and 17 so that can also be an issue depending on what the hotel considers to be the age for the adult cut off. <<

Premier Inns are very strict - the 15yo is no problem but the 17yo is not considered a child for family room sharing purposes. They even ask the ages of the kids on booking. So you'd definitely have to get two rooms -- but sometimes their rates are cheap enough that 2 rooms is still a bargain. Rates are VERY date specific.