Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, steeped in centuries of history and dramatic events. From royal celebrations to fierce battles, its stories offer many learning opportunities for all ages. Explore the grandeur of the Great Hall, uncover secrets of the royal court, and step into the lives of the people who shaped Scotland’s past. Whether you’re interested in what it was like to live in a castle, famous figures like Mary Queen of Scots, or the castle’s role in Scotland’s turbulent history, our learning offer bring these stories vividly to life.
Note: All facilitated activities must be booked through the Stirling Castle learning team. You can contact us at sc.learning@hes.scot to ask about availability.
Don't forget that schools groups can apply for help towards travel costs.
We have a range of facilitated activities available for learning groups at our hub sites - including tours and interactions with costumed interpreters - and all the details are right here.
Castle construction zone
Age/stage: Early years to P3
Type of session: Self-led play zone
Duration: Adaptable to group needs. Recommended duration is 30 to 50 minutes
Price: Free (included in the learning visit, subject to availability)
What to expect:
Explore castle building and materials in our dedicated play space. These STEM based self-directed sessions provide opportunities to use familiar and unique resources that encourage engineering skills, problem-solving, imagination and, of course, fun!
Accessibility: This activity is not currently accessible to wheelchair users
Booking: See booking information below.
Castle construction trail
Age/stage: Early years to P3
Type of session: Self-led exploration
Duration: Flexible
Price: Free (included in the learning visit)
What to expect:
A resource to support learners to spot and explore shapes, materials and colours around the castle.
Trail materials are provided for pupils in a drawstring bag. These include spotter cards, wooden blocks and fabric samples. Group leaders cards include a map, suggested stopping points, facts and activity suggestions.
Accessibility: No known restrictions
Booking: See booking information below.
Castle life storytime: Cruachan
Age/stage: Early years to P3
Type of session: Facilitated
Duration: 1 hour
Price: free (included in learning visit, subject to availability)
What to expect:
Meet Cruachan, the mascot for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regiment, and his friend James the drummer boy, in this fun and engaging session centred around story. Enjoy a tour of Stirling Castle and discover how Cruachan the pony came to his friend’s rescue just in the nick of time! Puppets of key characters, object handling and role play make the story come to life for learners, as pupils discover more about the history of Stirling Castle and the people who lived there.
Accessibility: Please let us know if your group has any accessibility needs, as we can adapt locations for wheelchair access if needed.
Curriculum Links: SOC 0-01a, SOC 0-02a, SOC 0-04a, LIT 0-02a, LIT 0-09a, ENG 0-03a
Booking: See booking information below.
Castle Life Storytime: Roary the Lion
Age/stage: Early years to P3
Type of session: Facilitated
Duration: 1 hour
Price: free (included in learning visit, subject to availability)
What to expect:
Come for a roar-some adventure with Roary the Stirling Castle lion. Discover the story of a brave lion who lived in the castle 500 years ago and his friends as they stand-up to the grumpiest cat around, Clarty Claws! This immersive session uses puppets, role play, historical objects, and a tour to bring the history of Stirling Castle to life for young learners. Roar!
Accessibility: Please let us know if your group has any accessibility needs, as we can adapt locations for wheelchair access if needed.
Curriculum Links: SOC 0-01a, SOC 0-02a, SOC 0-04a, LIT 0-02a, LIT 0-09a, ENG 0-03a
Booking: See booking information below.
Castle life tour
Age/stage: P1-P7
Type of session: Facilitated tour of the castle
Duration: 45 minutes
Price: Free (included in the learning visit, subject to availability)
What to expect:
Explore some of the main spaces in the castle with an interactive tour delivered by a member of the learning team onsite.
Accessibility: The tour takes the group into the great kitchens, which are not wheelchair accessible.
Curriculum links: SOC 1-02a, SOC 1-04a, SOC 2-02a, SOC 2-04a, LIT 1-02a, LIT 1-07a, LIT 1-10a, LIT 2-02a, LIT 2-07, LIT 2-10a, LIT 3-10
Booking: See booking information below.
Themed tour
Age/stage: P4 upwards (adapted to level)
Type of session: Facilitated tour of the castle
Duration: 45 minutes
Price: Free (included in the learning visit, subject to availability)
What to expect:
Explore the castle through the lens of a specific period and learn about the lives of significant characters in these events. Tour can be themed to the Wars of Independence, Mary Queen of Scots or the Jacobites.
Accessibility: The tour takes the group into the great kitchens, which are not wheelchair accessible.
Curriculum links: SOC 1-02a, SOC 1-04a, SOC 1-06a, SOC 2-02a, SOC 2-03a, SOC 2-04a, SOC 2-06a LIT 1-02a, LIT 1-07a, LIT 1-10a, LIT 2-02a, LIT 2-07, LIT 2-10a, LIT 3-10
Booking: See booking information below.
Castle life: meet the castle guard
Age/stage: P1-P7
Type of session: Facilitated onsite activity – costumed interpreter
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: Free (included in the learning visit, subject to availability)
What to expect:
Learn about castle life through the eyes of a castle guard. The 90-minute workshop includes a tour exploring spaces related to the character, an object handling session and an activity.
Accessibility: Please let us know if your group has any accessibility needs, as we can adapt locations for wheelchair access if needed.
Curriculum links: SOC 1-02a, SOC 1-04a, SOC 2-02a, SOC 2-04a, LIT 1-02a, LIT 1-07a, LIT 1-10a, LIT 2-02a, LIT 2-07, LIT 2-10a, LIT 3-10
Booking: See booking information below.
Castle life: meet the master mason
Age/stage: P1-P7
Type of session: Facilitated onsite activity – costumed interpreter
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: Free (included in the learning visit, subject to availability)
What to expect:
Learn about castle life through the eyes of the castle’s master mason. The 90-minute workshop includes a tour exploring spaces related to the character, object handling, STEM focused activities and challenges, that look at how castles were built.
Accessibility: Please let us know if your group has any accessibility needs, as we can adapt locations for wheelchair access if needed.
Curriculum links: SOC 1-02a, SOC 1-04a, SOC 2-02a, SOC 2-04a, LIT 1-02a, LIT 1-07a, LIT 1-10a, LIT 2-02a, LIT 2-07, LIT 2-10a, LIT 3-10
Booking: See booking information below.
Castle life: meet the castle jester
Age/stage: P1-P7
Type of session: Facilitated onsite activity – costumed interpreter
Duration: 90 minutes
Price: Free (included in the learning visit, subject to availability)
What to expect:
Learn about castle life through the eyes of Jon, James V’s jester. The 90-minute workshop includes a tour exploring spaces related to the character, stories of Stuart times and a chance to learn juggling skills.
Accessibility: Please let us know if your group has any accessibility needs, as we can adapt locations for wheelchair access if needed.
Curriculum links: SOC 1-02a, SOC 1-04a, SOC 2-02a, SOC 2-04a, LIT 1-02a, LIT 1-07a, LIT 1-10a, LIT 2-02a, LIT 2-07, LIT 2-10a, LIT 3-10
Booking: See booking information below.
To book a facilitated visit, including to collect materials for self-led activities, please email sc.learning@hes.scot with these details:
Name of your school or group
Year group (if school)
Number of learners
Number of adult group leaders
Preferred visit date(s)
Preferred activity or activities
Preferred time slot(s)
Any access needs we should be aware of
Accessibility
Stirling Castle is a large, busy site which sits upon a steep hill. The castle is full of historic buildings with narrow passageways and uneven surfaces.
If you have questions relating to access needs, including parking, mobility services, and sensory backpacks, please see our access guide.
Lunch space
We have one indoor lunch space that holds up to 40 people. It is available on a first come, first served basis with priority awarded to any groups on a facilitated visit.
If the weather allows for an outdoor lunch, we have a picnic area in the Nether Bailey (with tables) and sitting space in the Queen Anne Garden.
If you want to book the indoor lunch space and don't have a facilitated visit booked, please contact sc.learning@hes.scot. When requesting to book the indoor lunch space, please include the following:
Please note your booking is not confirmed unless a member of the learning team has responded with confirmation.
Risk assessment
Learning group leaders are responsible for creating their own risk assessment.
To help you complete your risk assessment you can book a free familiarisation visit. Please contact our learning support team at sc.learning@hes.scot with the date and time you wish to visit and the names of the people who will be visiting.
Our Stirling Castle site information sheet may be useful. Please note this is not to be used in place of a risk assessment, but to assist group leaders in creating their own.
Scottish schools can apply for help towards the travel costs of visiting heritage sites of national importance via the schools travel subsidy scheme. Find out more about the scheme and if you are eligible below.
Find out more about the schools travel subsidy
Facilitated visits aren't the only way to explore Scotland's past as a learning group. You may wish instead to book a self-led visit.
