Tours
Stirling Castle is a must-visit for history lovers, with a new story to discover waiting in every nook and cranny.
To make sure you discover all the history you can when you visit, we have a variety of great ways to make the most of your trip to the home of Scotland’s monarchy.
Secret Stirling Guided Tours
Join us on a “Secret Stirling” tour to uncover even more history and step into hidden areas of the castle that are not usually open to the public. In centuries past, these areas were known only to the craftspeople who built the castle, the soldiers who defended it and the kings and queens who lived here. Our new “Secret Stirling” tours will explore parts of the castle visitors haven’t seen before - get ready to venture through locked doors and beyond ‘Private’ signs to gain a fascinating glimpse into the secret life of Stirling Castle.
Tours must be booked in advance to guarantee entry, maximum of 12 visitors per tour. Tours will last approximately 90 minutes and will start at the Guardroom Square at the castle’s main entrance at 11am and 2pm each day. The tour is not suitable for anyone under the age of 12 or who have a fear of heights.
Prices (including admission): Adult £33.50, Concession £30.00, Child 12yrs+ £24.00. For the full price list please view the ticket information.
Secret Stirling Guided Tour TicketsImportant Health and Safety Information
Appropriate footwear must be worn. Accessibility may be a challenge for some visitors as the Secret Stirling tour will traverse uneven surfaces, climb ancient stairways, pass through low, narrow doorways, and venture into confined spaces. Secret Stirling tour is not suitable for visitors who have a fear of heights.
Guided tours
Discover the stories that have helped to shape Stirling Castle’s past with a guided tour from our incredibly knowledgeable guides. With fascinating facts and stories aplenty, each guide brings their unique and fantastic flair to bring the history of Stirling Castle to life!
Guided tours are included in your ticket price and take place every half hour between 10am and 3pm, meeting outside the Fort Major’s House at the castle well.
Audio guides
If you’d rather take your visit at your own pace, then an audio guide is the perfect way to learn all the castle’s history.
You can purchase an audio guide when you buy your ticket and use your own mobile phone and headphones. Just make sure you have a stable internet connect, enough charge on your phone and hit play! You can also hire an audio guide when you visit the castle from the ticket office.
Available Languages: English (audio description available), Gaelic, French, German and Spanish.
Prices: Adult £3, Concession £2, Child £1. There's a 20% discount for Historic Scotland Members and Explorer Pass holders.
Print versions of the audio guide are available in both large print and Open Dyslexic large print. These are also available to download onto your own device. Please ask a member of staff at the entrance for a copy.
Book admission tickets and audio guidesBritish Sign Language (BSL) online tour
Join guide John Hay on a BSL Tour around Stirling Castle. Watch the different films as you explore to find out about the areas within the castle.
Guiding Information
If you are bringing a group to Stirling Castle, we recommend reviewing the below guiding information to ensure an enjoyable visit for both visitors and staff.
- guides are permitted to use wireless transmission whisper systems. This does not include open audio loudspeaker
- guiding is permitted in external areas of the castle as well as the Great Hall and the Chapel Royal
- guiding is not permitted in the Palace Apartments, the Stirling Heads Gallery, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum and the Great Kitchens
- groups should be led through gateways as quickly as possible, and we ask that there is no guiding in queues. This will ensure that the experience of other visitors is not impacted
- it is the responsibility of the guide to keep the group together for the duration of the tour
- children under the age of 16 must stay with an adult at all times
- please show consideration to other guided groups on the site both when they are and are not guiding. This includes official Stirling Castle Guides
- please arrange for your group to meet and gather before entering or leaving Stirling Castle by the Robert the Bruce Statue on the Castle Esplanade. If you require a meeting point within Stirling Castle, please arrange for your group to meet in the Outer Close
