Stirling Castle

Closing times for independent museums vary. The Regimental Museum closes 45 minutes before the castle.

The castle is situated on top of a hill in the heart of Stirling's Old Town. A free, interactive walking map is available on the Explore Stirling Mobile App.

View Stirling Castle on Google Maps

Bus and rail

Stirling is served by local and national train and bus services. The castle is approximately a 0.5 mile uphill walk from Stirling train and bus station.

By bike

The castle is close to National Cycle Network Route 765, which provides connections to Doune. NCN Route 76 connects Stirling with destinations along the Firth of Forth. There are 5 bike racks on the castle esplanade which can accommodate up to 10 bicycles.

Plan and save with Good Journey

Plan your journey by public transport using Good Journey. Book a car-free visit online with the code GOOD25 and receive a 25% discount. 

Alternative parking is available at Castleview Park and Ride. Please note that the shuttle buses serving the Park and Ride can become busy during peak periods. Nearby council-operated car parks are also available, including P&R, Rainbow Slides, Wellgreen, Forthside and Linden Avenue.

For a full list of council-operated car parks and roadside parking in Stirling, visit the Stirling Council website.

Carers tickets

In line with best practice in the visitor attractions industry, visitors with disabilities are treated on an equal basis with all other visitors and entry is charged at the appropriate admission category rate - Adult/Concession/Child. Proof of disability is not required.

We recognise that some disabled visitors may need help to visit our sites and we offer free entry for accompanying carers, these can be added when making your booking. Please note this is limited to two carers per transaction.

Parking

The esplanade has a tarmac parking area. There are ten accessible spaces about 65m from the castle entrance and are offered on a first come, first served basis.  

Wheelchairs

Four manual wheelchairs are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis.

Approach to site

The route is cobbled and sloping with a maximum gradient of 1:15. The castle entrance is 180m from the furthest point of the car park. Whilst both Stirling bus and train stations are within walking distance of the castle, it is situated up a steep hill.

Visual Stories

Use this guide to help you plan your visit to the castle. Through pictures of staff, the castle spaces and facilities, it will make sure you know what to expect when you visit.

• Visual story for adults

• Visual story for children

Ear Defenders

A limited number of adult and children’s ear defenders are available at this site. Please ask a member of staff when your ticket is scanned if you want to borrow them.

Dogs

Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and not left unattended at any time. Owners must pick up after their dogs.

Visitors' dogs and other pets are not permitted at Stirling Castle.

Visiting the site

1. Staff at the entrance will control the flow of visitors, and can provide any additional assistance. A mobility vehicle to the Inner Close is available on request, and can be arranged by staff at the castle entrance. It can accommodate most wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, but this is dependent on their dimensions. Please note that this service is dependent on the availability of trained staff to come off their normal role, so there may be a delay between the request and the pickup.

2. There is an adapted toilet in the first courtyard.

3. The main route through the castle is 160m long from the gate to the Inner Close. It is surfaced with cobbles and has a maximum gradient of 1:9.

4. The Unicorn Café has ramped access and is level throughout.

5. The path around the Queen Anne Garden is level paving.

6. The Royal Palace is open with access from the Lion's Den. A one-way system is in place.

7. The Great Kitchens are accessible via several steps leading down to it.

8. The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders' Regimental Museum and Shop has 4 stone steps leading up to it. To view the ground floor galleries, there are a total of 4 steps. There are several staircases throughout the museum. The total number of steps in the museum is 114. The shop has a one-way system in place.

9. The Chapel Royal has level access from the cobbled courtyard. The Great Hall has level access from the cobbled courtyard. An adapted toilet is available here.

10. The Nether Bailey is a grassy area, 200m from the Outer Close along a cobbled track with a maximum downward gradient of 1:7.

View Stirling Castle on Euan's Guide

For ease of movement, visitor safety and security, suitcases and large rucksacks (30 litres or over) are not permitted in the castle.

We're unable to store luggage, prams, pushchairs or other personal items for visitors.

We may carry out bag searches at the castle entrance as part of our security screening process.

• Accessible by public transport
• Weddings or event hire
• Audio guide
• Bicycle rack
• Coach parking
• Accessible toilets
• No dogs except assistance dogs
• Guided tours
• Picnic area
• Shop
• Cafe
• Self-service tea/coffee
• Toilets
• Visitor centre
• Water bottle refill
• Baby changing facilities