Stirling

[[file:Stirling banner Stirling Bridge - Stirling Bridge}} Stirlingcastle - Stirling Castle

For the population-2000 village in southeastern Ontario, Canada see Belleville (Ontario)#Stirling

Stirling is one of Scotland's most historic cities and the county town of Stirlingshire. In 2002, Stirling became Scotland's sixth city.

Stirling Halal Travel Guide

[[stirling overview - Overview of Stirling

Also known as "The Gateway to the Highlands", Stirling used to be the only connection to the Highlands and has therefore a significant position in history. Major battles for Scottish independence took place in and around Stirling. Stirling Castle is one of the great royal residences of Scottish history.

Travel to Stirling

By car

Stirling is located on the main A9/M9 route from the central belt of Scotland to the Highlands, and is located roughly 28 miles (45 km) from Glasgow via the M80 motorway, 35 miles (56 km) from Edinburgh directly via the M9. Driving time is roughly 30 minutes if there are no traffic problems.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Stirling

Edinburgh Airport is the nearest, and most convenient airport for Stirling by far. It is located 29 miles (47 km) from Stirling, and is easily reachable via the M9 motorway. See the main Edinburgh#Get_in|Edinburgh

Travel Guide for full details.

Glasgow Airport has more transatlantic and long haul flights than Edinburgh, although harder to get to from Stirling due to the unpredictable nature of cross-Glasgow road journeys since it is on the "wrong" side of Glasgow, although things have now improved markedly following the completion of the M80 and M74 motorways in 2011.

Prestwick Airport is roughly 60 miles (97 km) from Stirling. Again, inconvenient to get to by road as it involves going across Glasgow, but half price (or free, depending on origin) rail travel is available if you show your flight paperwork when buying your rail ticket at the airport. Involves changing trains in the centre of Glasgow (i.e. from Central to Queen Street stations), but well worth the effort in terms of the cost saving.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Stirling

eHalal has a guide to Rail travel in the United Kingdom.

Stirling station - Code: STG | 56.1201, -3.9351 - Stirling train station (Scotland) Stirling Railway Station - - 525924 is operated by ScotRail, and the station is staffed throughout its opening hours. It is located on the Highland Main Line from Glasgow/Edinburgh to Inverness.

The local service pattern is as follows (all these services are run by ScotRail):

From Glasgow - roughly on 20-min to 30-min intervals from Queen Street (High Level) station, all trains to Alloa, Dunblane, Inverness and Aberdeen call at Stirling.
From Edinburgh- roughly half hourly from Waverley/Haymarket stations, all trains to Dunblane and Inverness call at Stirling
From Inverness/Aberdeen/Dundee/Perth - hourly, note that in general, only trains to Glasgow Queen Street call at Stirling - most Edinburgh trains go via Fife and the Forth Bridge.

Stirling has two direct rail services from London per day, otherwise a change in either Glasgow or Edinburgh is required if you are travelling from south of the border crossing.

LNER; the once daily Highland Chieftain service from London King's Cross to Inverness calls at Stirling via York, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Approximate journey time 5hr 30min. Rates start at around £14 for a one way "Advance", rising to roughly £115 for an off-peak return.
Caledonian Sleeper; the overnight Highland sleeper train service from London Euston to Inverness calls at Stirling, leaving at 8PM the preceding evening. Note that this arrives in Stirling at around 5:30AM (before any other public transport is running); it may therefore be more convenient to use the Lowland sleeper train to either Glasgow/Edinburgh, and change to one of the local services (above). Prices £130 return; one way "Bargain Berths" are available online only from £19, depending on how early you book.

Note that Stirling station is equipped with automatic ticket barriers, you need to remember to retain your ticket before leaving the train.

Travel on a Bus in Stirling

There are regular coach services to Stirling from all over Scotland run mainly by Scottish Citylink, with regular departures from Glasgow (Buchanan Bus Station) and Edinburgh (St Andrew Plaza Bus Station) calling en route to either Inverness or Aberdeen. There are also numerous connections from destinations in the Highlands and the North. Fares from Glasgow/Edinburgh are around £4 one way.

If travelling from Edinburgh and the CityLink 909 service runs Monday to Saturday. The bus leaves Edinburgh Bus Station at 10 minutes past the hour from 9:10AM until 4:10PM with two additional departures at 5:10PM and 18:10 which extend to Dunblane (however these services are usually busy with commuters from Monday to Friday and these two services do not run on Saturdays). The journey time to Stirling Bus Station is 1 hours 10 min. The bus returning to Edinburgh from Stirling departs the bus station at 40 minutes past the hour, last 909 service back to Edinburgh is the 5:50PM service which begins its journey at Stirling University (this service does not run Saturdays so on a Saturday afternoon the last bus back to Edinburgh leaves at 4:40PM).

The budget operator Megabus calls at Stirling on its London-Aberdeen route (which confusingly is 'merged' with certain Citylink services from Glasgow), fares start at £1 plus a 50p booking fee, depending on how early you book.

Due to the unpredictability of journeys in the Glasgow/Edinburgh area during rush hour, it is advisable not to rely on coaches being on time - particularly if you intend to connect with other means of transportation. Leave plenty of slack in your itinerary as a precaution, or use the train instead.

How to get around in Stirling

There are several buses leaving to towns close by, but for Dunblane the train is a better option. In summer there is a sightseeing bus which is a affordable way to get to the sights, as you can "hop on and off" at any time.

Suburbs and surrounding towns and villages

There are a few suburbs in the Stirling City area;

Bannockburn - One of the southernmost suburbs of Stirling, Bannockburn is the site of the Battle of Bannockburn, and the legacy centre for the Battle of Bannockburn. There are Bed & Breakfast areas in Bannockburn.
Bridge of Allan - The northernmost suburb of Stirling, Bridge of Allan is probably the wealthiest area of the city. It is close to the University of Stirling and the Scottish Institute of Sport. It also next to the Wallace Monument (a landmark in memory of Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace). There are many Bed & Breakfasts and a couple of hotels in this area. Mine Wood and the University of Stirling premises are stunning locations to visit.
Cambusbarron - In the westernmost suburb of Stirling, you would find the remote Cambusbarron. Cambusbarron is situated next to the M9 motorway and there are no accommodation sites in this area.
Causewayhead - Causewayhead is almost like an entrance to Bridge of Allan. Here, along Airthrey Road, you would find many Bed & Breakfasts. It contains Wallace High School and a few parks and woodland areas. It is a worthwhile visit.
Cowie - Southeast of Bannockburn, you would find Cowie. There is no accommodation areas in Cowie, and there are no monuments apart from the Norbord factory.
Gargunnock - To the west of Stirling you will find the village of Gargunnock. There is the Gargunnock Inn, a family run lounge restaurant. There are no monuments, but you could climb the Gargunnock Hills. - 56.1280|-3.9324

What to see in Stirling

Wallace monument wt - Wallace Monument

Stirling Castle - Castle Esplanade 56.12390, -3.94810 ☎ +44 1786 450000 | Opening Hours: Daily (closed Christmas and Boxing Days), 1 April - 30 September: 9:30AM Monday - 6PM; 1 October - 31 Mar: 9:30AM Monday - 5PM, last admission 45 min before closing Admission: adults/students £14.00, child £7.50, concession £11.00, entrance free for Friends of Historic Scotland. 10% discount if a valid Wallace Monument ticket from the same day is presented. Scotland-2016-Aerial-Stirling-Stirling Castle - Stirling Castle At the head of Stirling's Old Town - one of the best preserved castles in Scotland, it features the Great Hall and the Palace and the Royal Chapel. In summertime and the castle is crowded with tourists and therefore lacks the medieval flair. Parking is available in front of the castle: Car £4.00, Motorcycle £1.00, Members £2.00. Avoid the vehicle park between June and August after mid-morning, as the queues to park can be very long. Castle tickets can be purchased online and tickets printed at home, sometimes saving considerable time. The Unicorn Cafe inside the castle serves good quality food, though is rather pricey. Picnics are allowed (but no alcohol), and picnic tables are freely available. If you're planning on visiting several Historic Scotland properties, purchasing an Explorer Ticket may be a cheaper option, especially if you're planning to visit Edinburgh Castle. Separately run, but part of the ticket price, is the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regimental Museum, located in the main courtyard. It has displays and information on this historic regiment, ranging from its origins in the 18th century, right up to the 21st. A large part of the castle is wheelchair accessible, although the Elphinstone Tower, great kitchens and the regimental museums are not. There is a courtesy vehicle available to take visitors with mobility difficulties to the main courtyard, although it is always best to phone ahead to check availability. Audio guides can be hired for a small charge, and are available in English, French, (Spanish), (German), Italian, Japanese and Gaelic. Guided Tours in Stirling by ehalal.io (email for prices) operate every day, free of charge, although times vary.
Cambuskenneth Abbey - 56.12327, -3.91787 Opening Hours: Site open in summer only (April - Sept): daily 9:30AM Monday - 6:30PM. Last entry 30 min before closing Free Fm cambuskenneth abbey Cambuskenneth Abbey Ruin of an abbey with only the bell tower remaining. You can see the grave of Margaret of Denmark and James III on this site.
Stirling Old Bridge - 56.12863, -3.93696 Opening Hours: Always open Free SterlingBridge - Battle of Stirling Bridge The site of one of the major battles where Scotland (under the lead of William Wallace) defeated the English in the struggle for Scottish independence. Although this is not the original bridge, which was made of wood, it gives a good impression of where the battle may have been.
Church of the Holy Rude - Street John Street 56.12076, -3.94449 at the head of Street John Street - No admission fee, but donations welcome Holy-Rude-Church Church of the Holy Rude Beautiful church with impressive stained glass. Also wander around in the adjacent cemetery.
Bannockburn - Glasgow Road, Stirling 56.09255, -3.93407 ☎ +44 1786 812664 | Opening Hours: Daily 10AM Monday - 5PM (5:30PM between March - Oct). Booking necessary at busy times £11 adults, £8 children - Battle of Bannockburn The battlefield is the site of another major victory for the Scots over the English in 1314. The Bannockburn Heritage Centre opened in 2014, after a complete rebuild. A path leads to a statue of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, who led the Scottish forces. From the statue you have a great overview of the landscape.
Argyll's Lodging - Castle Wynd 56.12170, -3.94402 on the right as you approach the castle ☎ +44 1786 450000 - Admission fee included in the Stirling Castle ticket. Argyll's Lodging, Castle Wynd, Stirling Argyll's Lodging - The excellently maintained 17th-century town house, erected by the 1st Earl of Stirling, is a fine example of renaissance architecture. Sometimes closed for functions, so check ahead.
Smith Art Gallery and Museum - Dumbarton Road 56.11920, -3.94625 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:30AM Monday - 5PM; Sunday 2PM Monday - 5PM Free Stirling - The Smith Institute Museum 20120419 - Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum - Small art gallery, local museum and popular cafe - Stirling Story Exhibition gives a good intro to the history of the area and local industry, would fill a couple of hours on a wet day. Displays the world's oldest football.

Bridge of Allan for the Wallace Monument and Stirling University.

Best things to do in Stirling

Hillwalking - Behind the university (near Bridge of Allan) is a path up to a hill called Dumyat with a summit cross (418m).
Briarlands Farm - on the A84 4 miles west of Stirling, right next to the Safari Park. Opening Hours: February - Dec: daily 10AM Monday - 5:30PM £5.25 Scotland's finest maize maze and various other activities for families.

Watch Rugby Union at Stirling County RFC. They play in the Premiership and the top tier of the Scottish Championship system. Their home ground is Bridgehaugh Park, just north of the A9 bridge out of town.

Siberian tiger at Blair Drummond - Siberian Tiger at Blair Drummond Safari Park

Blairdrummond Safari Park - Blair Drummond, FK9 4UR 56.1673, -4.0386 six miles to the west of Stirling on the A84 ☎ +44 1786 841456 | Opening Hours: daily 10AM Monday - 5:30PM. Last admission 4:30PM. Closed in winter (from late October), reopening in March. adult £17.25 - Blair Drummond Safari Park - Scotland's only genuine African Safari Park. You are able to go on safari through the game reserve, on the boat to chimp island, and stop off at the sea lion show or have a free barbecue (you supply the food) next to the enormous children's play area.

Stirling Highland Games are held in mid-August at the Sports Village. The next event is Saturday 17 Aug 2019.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Stirling

Port Street is dominated by the usual range of high-street shops and banks. Stirling has a limited range of independent shops which tend to be located on side streets or north of the train station.

Europa Music - An excellent Independent music store specialising in everything they can.
Thistle Centre - Large downtown shopping complex featuring the usual range of British high street stores. Open late Thursday nights.

Supermarkets Include Tesco, located 5 minutes from the train station, which has a good, if limited, range and is cramped inside, Sainsbury's 5 minutes further from and Tesco which has a marginally better selection and higher quality products and Morrison's which is 20 minutes walk from the downtown. All these supermarkets remain open Monday to Saturday until at least 9PM. Sainsbury's is open until 10pm 7 days a week.

Halal Restaurants in Stirling

Hermann's - Mar Place House, 58 Broad Street 56.12119, -3.94378 ☎ +44 1786 450632 | Opening Hours: Daily noon-2:30PM, 6PM Monday - 9:30PM Austrian/Scottish fusion restaurant. Offers delicious local produce with an original twist.
Cook's of Stirling - Formerly The Bank Restaurant | 78 Upper Craigs 56.11524, -3.93384 ☎ +44 1786 430890 | Opening Hours: all day dining Mains starting from £10 Contemporary Scottish and international cuisine, using locally sourced produce.
Hot & Spicy - 21 Baker Street, FK8 1BJ Tasty food to go.
Willawan (Thai) Restaurant - 9 Baker Street, FK8 1BJ
The Greengrocer Cafe - 81 Port St, FK8 2ER - Superb gourmet sandwiches lunch menu and amazing cakes.

Greggs various locations, including opposite of Post Office and one if you follow the pedestrian area to the west. They sell great valued sandwiches and bakery.

Napizza - 15 Friars Street, FK8 1HA 56.11921, -3.93808 ☎ +44 1786 464411 | Opening Hours: 12pm - 11pm; Closed Mondays - Delicious Neapolitan pizza baked in a mosaic-covered wood burning oven. Half a dozen tables, reserve during busy times. Offers takeouts.
The Crossed Peels - 8 Spittal Street 56.11861, -3.93885 Opening Hours: daily 08:00 - 00:00, food until 22:00 - Wetherspoon pub with food all day

Clubs

Stirling has three night-clubs - two in the downtown and one out near Bridge of Allan - all of which require you to be at least 18 and to have proper ID with you. Usually and the bouncers won't let you in with sneakers, but you can try.

Fubar - 6 Maxwell Place £8 entry at weekends. 2 floors, upstairs you'll find the 70's dancers Boogie Express on a Saturday night.
Dusk - Baker Street ☎ +44 1786 464904 - Mondays and Thursdays entry from £3 with drinks from £1. - New card system in place for Fridays and Saturdays, allow free entry before midnght and affordableer drinks.
The Meadowpark and The Beat - The Beat is the club near Bridge of Allan, it's near the main entry for the University, and tends to be popular on Tuesday and Wednesday when the town centre clubs are closed.

Bars

Nicky-Tams - 29 Baker Street 56.11916, -3.93946 - Stirling's Most Haunted Bars - a bar with a friendly atmosphere, mostly visited by students of the university. Monday night is WII Night upstairs on the big screens, Wednesdays 9PM is jam night, Saturday 4PM Monday - 6PM local musicians are featured. Sunday night is Quiz/DJ Night, great prizes and bubbly on offer. Fresh food is served from noon-9PM daily, and all food is sourced locally from Farm Assured Farms for the best tastes. Beer from £2.50 a pint. Fruit cocktails from £2. Shots from £1. Student prices Su, Monday & Thursday night. One of Stirling's best bars!
The Corn Exchange - 11-13 Corn Exchange Road - Used to be Pivo. Decent food and good meal deals.
The Portcullis - Castle Wynd ☎ +44 1786 472290 - Located at the bottom of the castle vehicle park. Good selection. Also offers good quality meals and accommodation.
The Settle Inn - 91 Saint Mary's Wynd ☎ +44 1786 474609 - Traditional pub close to the castle. Frequent live music. Board games available for clients to play.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Stirling

Stirling - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Stirling, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Stirling. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Stirling and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Stirling. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Stirling. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inStirling: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Stirling.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Stirling: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Stirling, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Stirling.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Stirling, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Stirling, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Stirling and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Stirling, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Stirling, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Stirling without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Stirling is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Stirling.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Stirling is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Stirling, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Stirling Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Stirling

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Muslim Friendly Hotels

Stirling Youth Hostel - Street John Street 56.11963, -3.94365 Turn 2nd left after Highland Hotel ☎ +44 1786 473442 - Beds from: Adults £15.00 Children £13.50 - Built behind the façade of an old church, it offers 2 to 6-bedded rooms, good self-catering kitchen, internet, friendly staff and TV-room. Book ahead during summer. Open all year.
Willy Wallace Backpackers Hostel | 77 Murray Place 56.11946, -3.93753 ☎ +44 1786 446773 - £12-15 Located in the centre of the old town, mixed dorms, lounge.

Mid-range

Hillview Cottage - @ottage.com Kirk Lane, Blairdrummond, FK9 4AN 56.1583, -4.0576 Situated in Blair Drummond, about 5 miles from Stirling. ☎ +44 1786 841679 - Interesting slightly eccentric Stirling Guest House with great woodland and hill views. This is a large comfortable Scottish B&B with en suite bedrooms and a wireless network. Rooms start at £29.00 per person per day and include a full cooked breakfast. Open all year, with Christmas and New Year specials.
Holiday Inn Express Stirling - Springkerse Business Park 56.1170, -3.9073 From the M9/M80 Junction 9, take the A91 toward Stirling/St Andrews for 6 km. You will find the hotel on the A91 at Springkerse. ☎ +44 1786 449922 - Has 80 air-conditioned guest rooms, meeting facilities, a licensed bar, Coffee lounge and free parking is located about 20 mins walk from centre of town but is adjacent to retail park. The Stirling Park and Ride Bus runs from the nearby Morrison's Supermarket to the city bus station every 12 minutes during the day Monday to Sat. Includes complimentary continental breakfast with every room rate.
Lake of Menteith Lakeside Hotel - 56.1821, -4.2852 ☎ +44 1877 385258 - Easily accessible lakeside hotel, 14 miles from Stirling, you drive through remarkable Scottish scenery and upon reaching Port of Menteith and the Lake unfolds before you with the hotel nestling lakeside.

Cook's of Stirling - Formerly Adamo Hotel | 78 Upper Craigs 56.11520, -3.93370 ☎ +44 1786 430890 - A full service hotel, located close to the centre of the old town, walking distance from the Castle and downtown, free parking for guests and free WiFi throughout the hotel. An ideal location to tour the local area

Telecommunications in Stirling

Stirling Central Library - Corn Exchange Road 56.11807, -3.93910 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday until at least 5PM Several computers with free internet access available, though you may need to join a queue.

Cope

Stirling Tourism Board Centre - 41 Dumbarton Road ☎ +44 870 720 0620
Post Office, Located within WH Smith, opposite Marks & Spencer, Thistle Shopping Centre

News & References Stirling

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Stirling

Bridge of Allan — a town north-west of Stirling which is nice to walk around; the Lecropt Kirk is close-by
Dollar — (10 miles (16 kilometers) east of Stirling on the A91) to visit Castle Campbell and walk through Dollar Glen.
Doune — (10 miles northwest of Stirling off the A84) with Doune Castle, 14th century castle with a great view over the landscape. Take a walk along a river right behind the castle. The castle was used during the filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail to portray most of the castles in the film.
Dunblane — with Dunblane Gothic Church, an impressive cathedral with an early Pictish stone found on the site.