Stirling Gateway to the Highlands
A brief history of the city
Stirling is often known as the gateway to Highlands due to its Location it is sometimes referred to as the Clasp of Scotland as it position makes it seem like its holding the highlands and lowlands together. It has often been said that “he who holds Stirling, hold’s Scotland”. This is because of its strategic location .
Stirling is a place steeped in history two of the most famous battles fought in the Scottish war of independence happened here. The battle of Stirling Bridge, 11 September 1297 yeah the one from Braveheart. When William Wallace and Andrew Moray led Scottish forces against the English John de Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey and Hugh De Cressingham who had joined forces to fight the Scots.
Wallace and Moray defeated them at the bridge near Stirling although Moray was seriously and as it turns out fatally wounded and died a short time later. The other was the Battle of Bannockburn which took place on 23 and 24 June 1314 when King Robert the Bruce of Scotland defeated King Edward II of England.
Getting there
Train
Stirling has a railway station with regular services from all over Scotland. There are direct services from Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Dunfermline you can easily change at Edinburgh for onward journeys. This is the same for most other places that have a railway station. Changing trains is usually pretty easy. Please just make sure when your booking that you look at how much time the site is giving you to change trains. It can be a really short window of time. Trains are reliable most of the time but can be a few minutes delayed. This can play havoc with your journey if you only have a few minutes to change trains.
There are different types of tickets so make sure you understand the rules for your particular ticket before you travel. If you travel on an incorrect service you may need to pay over or could even be fined. Also if you buy an advanced tickets you must only travel on specific trains. If you miss your connection due to a train delay I advise you to make staff on the train or in the station aware of this. It makes it less likely you will have issues when you board the next train. Advance tickets are the cheapest and can be bought several weeks in advance however they are non refundable. You can exchange for other tickets before travel but there is a admin fee for this. You could save hundreds of pounds doing it this way depending on where and when your travelling.
Buses and Coaches
Stirling also has a bus station with regular services from all over Scotland. Including Glasgow. Dundee and Edinburgh. Megabus and citylink websites can give you details on this.
Getting around the city
Both the trains and Bus stations are in the city centre and access to the main attractions are easy from both with the castle, jail and the church of the holy rood being only as short walk away although it is up hill. You can get buses to Wallace monument from the bus station or taxis from the rank at the train station. The thistle shopping centre is right next to the bus station.