The Royalty, Merchants and People of Stirling: A Walking Tour

Stirling’s Old Town grew around Stirling Castle, the mighty fortress that’s perched majestically atop an extinct volcano.

On this walking tour of the Old Town, I’ll tell you how it became a flashpoint in Scotland’s long struggle for independence and religious freedom. You’ll also discover why this imposing fortress was known as “the brooch that holds Scotland together,” with views across a landscape that’s shaped Scottish history for centuries.

The tour starts at the statue of Robert the Bruce on the castle esplanade, with its panoramic views over the meandering River Forth. You’ll wind your way through the historic Old Town, passing Renaissance townhouses like Argyll’s Lodging, and medieval churches which tell the story of a town that grew around its mighty fortress. Along the way, you’ll learn how William Wallace and Robert the Bruce achieved their legendary victories against overwhelming English forces nearby.

As you stroll through the town’s narrow wynds and broad streets, you’ll pass historical buildings like Stirling Highland Hotel, and hear about Mary Queen of Scots and her husband Lord Darnley. You’ll discover the lives of wealthy merchants like John Cowane, visit the old Tolbooth where rebels were executed, and see how the town evolved through the centuries. The tour ends at the Golden Lion Hotel, where Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns once carved controversial verses on a window pane.

On this 90-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to:

• Visit the Church of the Holy Rude, where the infant King James VI was crowned in Scotland’s shortest royal coronation
• Find out about the Presbyterian martyrs who died for their faith at the Martyr’s Monument
• Explore the ruins of Mar’s Wark, a magnificent Renaissance townhouse built by a royal regent
• Discover John Cowane’s Hospital, an almshouse with connections to European trade dating back to 1639
• Learn about the Victorian prison reform movement at the Old Town Jail
• See the Mercat Cross where royal proclamations were made and dishonest merchants were punished
• Admire the statue of Scottish hero Rob Roy MacGregor, and learn more about the county’s national poet, Robert Burns
• Visit the site where Danish Viking raiders were foiled by a wolf, giving Stirling its heraldic emblem

This compact walking tour provides the perfect introduction to Stirling’s rich history, connecting the castle and town across the centuries.