Stirling Castle

For Stirling’s most thrilling day out head to Stirling Castle! Without doubt one of the grandest of all Scottish castles, both in its situation on a commanding rock outcrop and in its architecture. Enter the world of Scotland’s Renaissance Kings & Queens in The Royal Palace. Splendidly decorated and furnished, it recalls the years when it was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots. One of the best-preserved Renaissance buildings in the UK, the palace has been refurbished to look as it might have done around 1540s. The royal chambers include the magnificent rooms where nobles and courtiers met their monarch and the bedrooms where the royals retired with their closest companions. Here too are the brightly-painted replicas of the Stirling Heads and the fabulous “Hunt of the Unicorn” tapestries which took many years to weave at a cost of £2 million. Argyll’s Lodging,  Scotland’s finest 17th-century townhouse, stands just beyond the castle walls and was built as the residence for a nobleman serving the royal court.

The large, comfortable house contains grand rooms with precious painted decorations and wonderful period furniture along with recreated kitchens.

Beneath the palace are vaults with fun, interactive exhibitions especially for younger visitors. The Musicians Vault – find out about the music and instruments of the 1500s.  The Painter’s Vault – how rare pigments were shipped in from all over the world to create gorgeous paints and dyes. The Carvers Vault – all about the tools and techniques used to create the Stirling Heads and the stone carvings around the palace. The Tailor’s Vault – fine fabrics, gold thread, gems and scented pomanders to ward off bad smells. The Jester’s Vault – jokes and japes fit for kings and queens.

The vaults also house the Access Gallery which allows those with mobility problems to find out about inaccessible parts of the castle.

The History Hunter tours created especially for youngsters aged 5-12 take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 2.15. Go along during school holidays for additional kid’s tours and activities. There are great events for families throughout the year. Kids under 5 go free.