Stirling Castle

1 Overview

Join in a long tradition of holding spectacular events at Stirling Castle. As home to Stewart kings and queens, the castle has hosted royal feasts and celebrations for centuries. Today, you can become part of this history by booking Stirling Castle for your event.

Some events cry out for a magnificent venue, and few locations in the world can rival the drama and majesty of Stirling Castle. Select your ideal setting from a number of historical apartments available for your use. For evening events, you will have exclusive use of the castle whichever area you choose to hire.

Stirling Castle is available for private hire in the evening, including for:

• client entertaining
• product launches
• incentive dinners
• formal banquets
• gala dinners

Stirling Castle is easy to access by road or rail. It is just 1 hour’s drive from either Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, or Glasgow, its largest city.

2 Venues for private hire

Great Hall

Capacity: 400 people (reception or theatre), 300 people (dinner)

Make a lasting impression by holding your event in one of Scotland’s most prestigious banqueting venues. This 16th-century Great Hall has been beautifully restored to its former splendour. A minstrels’ gallery and trumpeter’s loft provide ample space for an evening filled with entertainment. The raised dais area is ideal for speeches or dancing.

Chapel Royal

Capacity: 300 people (reception), 250 people (theatre), 200 people (dinner)

Large groups dining in the Great Hall can enjoy pre-dinner drinks in the Chapel Royal, or you can seat a slightly smaller number for dinner in this superb space. Its large stage also makes the Chapel Royal an ideal setting for concerts and presentations.

Royal Palace

Capacity: 150 people (drinks reception), 30 to 60 people (dinner)

Once the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, the Royal Palace has been restored to its Renaissance glory. Sumptuous interiors evoke the days of the 16th-century royal court, providing a stunning backdrop to arrival drinks or more intimate dinners.

Queen Anne Garden

Breathtaking views of the Stirlingshire countryside are to be had from the Queen Anne Garden close to the castle entrance. It lends itself equally well to a drinks reception or a Beating Retreat performance at the end of an evening.

Exclusive out-of-hours tours

Give your guests an unforgettable experience: the chance to explore Stirling Castle with no one else around, with an out-of-hours tour in the early morning or evening.

3 Hospitality packages

Gala dinners and medieval banquets are held in the 16th-century Great Hall and are available for up to 300 guests.

Dinner in the Royal Palace is possible for 30 to 60 guests from April to October.

Gala dinner

Guests will be greeted by a traditional piper’s welcome on crossing the castle drawbridge. It’s just the first taste of the world-famous Scottish hospitality that awaits them inside the Great Hall.

The Gala dinner package includes:

• exclusive hire of the venue
• drinks reception
• four-course gala dinner including ‘Address to the Haggis’
• theming and décor – cream linen, tartan napkins and candelabras
• entertainment – piper, clarsach player, pipe band
• Stirling Castle master of ceremonies
• services of an on-site events manager

A spectacular finale will draw the evening to a close. The pipe band will perform a medley of traditional Scottish music before leading guests from the castle.

Medieval banquet

The sound of the bagpipes will greet your guests as they cross the drawbridge into the castle. Our piper will play on while everyone continues to make their way to the banquet.

The Medieval banquet package includes:

• exclusive hire of the venue
• drinks reception
• medieval banquet
• theming and décor – candelabras, ivy and fresh fruit
• entertainment – piper, clansmen, jester, pipe band
• Stirling Castle master of ceremonies
• services of an on-site events manager

A medley of traditional Scottish music performed by the pipe band will end the evening on a high note. Guests will then be played out of the castle by the band.

Palace dinner

Smaller groups can follow in the footsteps of the Stewart kings and queens to dine in Renaissance splendour.

Our expert guides will entertain your guests and can even provide tours of the Royal Palace. Arrival drinks will be served in the King’s Inner Hall, where guests can marvel at the Stirling Heads. Dinner is served in the King’s Outer Hall.

Download Palace Dinner Package [PDF, 437KB]

Download Sustainable Catering Menu [PDF, 751KB]

Optional extras:

• piper on arrival
• clarsach player at dinner
• costumed lute player during drinks or at dinner
• costumed actors to entertain during drinks or after dinner
• jester to entertain during drinks or at dinner
• coloured linens and chair covers
• floral table decorations

4 Burns Supper

We're bringing a brilliant Burns Night back to Stirling

Just as Rabbie returned to Stirling on more than one occasion, so Stirling Castle's unique Burns Supper returns on Thursday 24 January 2019. This exclusive black tie event will be held in the incredible setting of the castle’s Great Hall. Built for James IV, it’s one of the most atmospheric rooms in Scotland.

And it’s here you’ll be greeted with sparkling wine and haggis canapés, before enjoying a 4 course feast fit for a king. Plus traditional Burns Supper readings and stirring music. Not to mention a dram or two. It’s an unrivalled way to celebrate the Bard’s return, and the perfect way to treat your clients and staff to an unforgettable night.

Speakers include: Andrew Goodwin, Rev. Alec Shuttleworth, Jim Leishman MBE, Janey Godley and Kevin McLean. Musical performances from Gnoss Duo with Josie Duncan, the Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band and the Lone Piper.

Date: Thursday 24 January 2019

Time: 7pm for 7.30pm, carriages at midnight

Dress code: Black tie

Cost: £2100 per table of ten (+vat)

Places are limited to contact our Corporate Events team on 0131 668 8686 or email functions@hes.scot to book.

5 Contact

Hospitality Events Team
Historic Environment Scotland
Longmore House
Salisbury Place
Edinburgh
EH9 1SH

Telephone: 0131 668 8686
Email: functions@hes.scot