Booking and key information

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

Please get in contact with us at sc.learning@hes.scot to find out what we can offer for community groups.

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 contact us via sc.learning@hes.scot  or check our visitor information.

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:

• date of your visit

• time slot preference

• name of your group

• size of your group (including adults and children)

• access needs

Please note your booking is not confirmed unless a member of the learning team has responded with confirmation.

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 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.

Find out more about self-led visits