Stirling Castle

Explore this majestic castle once home to Scotland’s royalty.

Welcome to our learning hub

A key fortress during the Wars of Independence and a hub of creativity and innovation for the Stewart kings and queens – the castle has strong links to key topics and characters from Scotland’s past. Striking architecture and interiors, a military museum and sweeping views of the surrounding landscape make this an excellent setting for learning and creative inspiration.

Book a learning visit

To book: please fill out our online booking form

Use our site information sheet to help plan your visit.

Please contact us in advance to discuss the needs of your group or to arrange a planning visit.

For activity enquires:

Contact: Ryan McGhie, Learning Assistant

Email address: sc.learning@hes.scot

Phone: 07767 383 906

What's on offer for learning groups

Contact us to arrange:

  • guided tours
  • object handling session
    • Castle life (facilitated)

Self-led things to do are:

  • castle construction trail with backpack
  • [does this need booked?? How do they get the backpack?]
  • castle construction zone (early years)
  • costumes
  • quizzes and trails

Resources for additional support needs:

  • ear defenders
  • visual story (for adults and children)

Further details are available on the Stirling Castle access page.

YouTube – virtual visit

Explore the castle with...our mason

[text about the videos – still to create learning playlist set up and get the link. Other vids to add?]

ThingLink – virtual visit

Thinglink on building Stirling Castle.

[is this the right one? is it live yet or still work in progress?]

3D models – virtual visit

Get up close to sculptures and carvings found on buildings at Stirling Castle.

Arts and crafts – resources

Make a Stirling Head

Ceiling selfies anyone? In the 1500s James V organised for the ceiling of the Palace at Stirling Castle to be decorated with lots of huge carved wooden portraits. Get drawing and make your own!

Instructions and template borders for the Head.

[instructions has wrong info on it and not accessible pdf]

Quizzes and trails – resources

[Anything?]

Twinkl resources

We partnered with Twinkl to create resources aimed at upper primary learners. Download these free-to-access resources:

  1. Information powerpoint, also available in Gaelic
  2. Creative writing stimulus podcast activity
  3. Differentiated reading comprehension activity, also available in Gaelic
  4. Timeline activity
  5. Children's jobs activity

Other resources

Cyber skills – Defend Stirling Castle!

What do you get when you cross an ancient medieval castle with cutting edge cyber security? Help your learners build cyber security skills to defend one of Scotland's most important historical sites. No knowledge of long-swords required.

During the interactive online game your learners will find out about modern cyber security defences and their medieval parallels and work together to stop the attack.

Resources

Check out all of our Stirling Castle resources.

[link to filtered database of site specific resources – will be kept hidden til database ready]

[The lion and unicorn puppets would sit here as not SC specific]