You really should go there (Stirling in general)

Member Name: moronboy

Product:	Stirling in general
Date:	17/09/00 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very pleasant town steeped in history

Disadvantages: None

Stirling isn't all that well-known to English tourists - no-one I know has been there, and we met none while we were around the place. This is a shame (or maybe not, depending on how locals feel about an influx of we non-Scots) as Stirling is a lovely place.

For one thing, the Trossachs and Loch Lomond are but a short drive away and the views from the drive which takes you through the mountains are absolutely stunning. It was a cloudy stormy day when we were there, and it was amazing, so it's probably even better with a bit of blue sky.

But Stirling is itself a lovely place - it's very compact, and the shopping centre is quite smart. The more touristy sights are up towards the castle, and you would need at least a full morning or afternoon to really take in the castle itself which is a really facsinating place, very imposing and great views.

The Wallace Monument is also definitely worth a visit, as the building is a stunning piece of architecture, and the view over the flat plain towards the mountains, and a superb perspective on the town and castle, worth seeing in themselves. The displays and exhibits inside, especially Wallace's truly massive sword, are also unmissable.

There seemed to be a lot of fine places to eat in town (I'm fairly sure the best place we visited was called Olivia's), and lots of good chippies and cafes for something quick. There are a whole bunch of places in Scotland which justify a weekend away, or inclusion in a tour, but anyone who has enjoyed a trip there should make sure they visit Stirling, and give it a few days: it really does warrant it.

Summary: