Scotland, a land of ancient tales and rugged beauty, will cast its spell on you with its windswept cliffs, majestic mountains, legendary castles, haunting melodies, exquisite liquor, and tales of heroic knights.
Rekindle your passion for adventure with the various series of day tours around Edinburgh.
From the imposing stone walls of Stirling Castle to the serene waters of Loch Lomond, the Scottish Highlands are just a revolving door of breathtaking views of nature, charming countryside, and legendary feats of human architecture.
Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most architecturally important castles, with most buildings dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
This article covers everything you must know before booking Stirling Castle in Edinburgh tickets.
Table of contents
What to expect at the tour
Travel to Loch Lomond, one of Scotland’s most picturesque and famous lochs.
Enjoy the breathtaking scenery, take a boat trip soaking in spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, or simply stroll along the shoreline.
Explore Stirlingshire, where you will stop in the beautiful city of Stirling, the site of the monument of Scottish hero William Wallace (whose life was dramatized in ‘Braveheart’), and let your guide delight you with folk stories and legends.
Breeze through the beautiful and ancient streets surrounding Stirling before stepping into the memorable Stirling Castle, sitting atop a volcanic rock, guardian to a magnificent history.
Enter The Trossachs National Park and experience its abundance of lochs, mountains, and forests.
In the town of Dunfermline, walk down the beautiful nave of Dunfermline Abbey, the final resting place of Robert the Bruce, who battled for Scotland’s right to be a nation!
Explore the 15th-century Rosslyn chapel, known for its exquisite stone carvings, intricate detailing, and the enigmatic symbolism adorning its walls and crypts.
Made famous by Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, maybe the Rosslyn Chapel reveals the resting place of the Holy Grail to you.
Marvel at the intricate steel sculptures of Kelpies and learn about their significance as representations of mythical water spirits.
Where to book tickets for Stirling Castle
Tickets for Edinburgh’s Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond are available online and at the attraction’s booking counters.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
Because the attraction sells limited tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking online also helps avoid last-minute disappointment and delays.
How do online tickets work
Visit the Stirling Castle Tour in Edinburgh booking page, select the date and number of tickets, and book.
Once you make the bookings, tickets will be emailed to you, along with the details about a meetup point.
You do not need to carry printouts.
Meet outside the green Ensign Ewart pub and show your e-ticket on your smartphone.
The tickets do not cover the entry fee to the attractions or meal privileges.
Stirling Castle ticket price
An adult ticket for Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & Kelpies Tour will cost you £52.
Children between four and 16 years, seniors above 65, and students over 16 with ID can gain access at a discounted price of £50
Children below the age of three are not allowed on this tour.
The Rosslyn Chapel, Stirling Castle & Dunfermline Abbey Tour ticket will cost you £53 for visitors aged 17 to 66.
The entry price for children below 16 and seniors above 67 is £50.
An adult ticket for Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky Tour from Edinburgh will cost you £53.
Children up to 17 years, students with valid ID, and seniors above 65 can gain access at a discounted price of £50.
An additional £18 will have to be paid for the nosing and tasting session of Clydeside Distillery.
Stirling Castle tickets
A ticket to any Stirling Castle tour will immerse you into a journey through Scotland’s heavenly landscapes, rich history, jubilant culture, lush scenery, and charming little towns, all in a day.
The aroma of heather, battle cries, and the haunting melody of the bagpipes are sprawled across the imaginative memory of the world, and it is time you take a dip into this glorious land for yourself.
Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & Kelpies Tour tickets
This tour takes you to Loch Lomond and its picturesque views.
With an expert guide, you will enter the conserved Trossachs National Park and experience its abundance of lochs, mountains, and forests.
The trip will continue past Doune Castle to the pretty town of Aberfoyle, situated on the banks of the River Teith in Stirlingshire, where you will stop to enjoy lunch.
The tour will conclude with a trip to Stirling Castle, followed by a trip to the Kelpies.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (17 to 59 years): £52
Child Ticket (4 to 16 years): £50
Student Ticket (17+ years): £50
Rosslyn Chapel, Stirling Castle & Dunfermline Abbey Tour
This travel itinerary allows you to explore the incredible Stirling Castle before moving to the hallowed resting place of Robert the Bruce at Dunfermline Abbey.
Finally, the day is completed with a trip down the secret avenues of Rosslyn Chapel.
You will also have a chance to explore Bannockburn, the battlefield where Robert the Bruce routed the English in 1314.
All of this will be made better by an expert guide filling you in on the thorough history and legend of the area.
Ticket Price
Adult Ticket (17 to 66 years): £53
Child Ticket (3 to 16 years): £50
Senior Ticket (67+ years): £50
Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky Tour from Edinburgh
This tour will take you to the famous city of Glasgow for a Scotch Whiskey Experience at the Clydeside distillery before shuttling you away to the glorious views of Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.
The tour will move on to the lovely town of Stirlingshire and its epic castle before taking you on a quick tour of the Kelpies on the way back to Edinburgh.
An expert guide will always be with you to enrich your trip.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (18 to 64 years): £53
Child Ticket (up to 17 years): £50
Senior Ticket (65+ years): £50
Student Ticket (with valid ID): £50
Save time and money! Experience the best of Edinburgh, from the majestic Edinburgh Castle to the delightful taste of whisky, with the Edinburgh Pass. This convenient pass includes three amazing attractions and a personal discount code that allows you to save 10% on other activities in the city.
How to reach Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is located 68 kilometers (42 miles) west of Edinburgh.
Address: Castle Wynd, Stirling FK8 1EJ, United Kingdom. Get Directions.
The Castle is easily accessible by public transport or car.
By Bus
The Smith Institute and Youth Hostel bus stations (available bus – P2), is a 6-minute and 5-minute walk from Stirling castle.
The Cowane Centre, Stirling bus station is a 10-minute walk from Stirling Castle (available buses – 15A, 20, 51, 52, 54, 57, 59, 324, 925, C30, C48, MA1, MA2, S60, and X10A.
By Train
Stirling railway station (available trains – Caledonian Sleeper, LNER, and ScotRail) is 13-minute walk from the castle.
By Car
Put your starting point here for navigating to the Stirling Castle.
You can look up the nearest parking spot here.
Stirling Castle timings
The Stirling Castle opens from 1 April to 30 September from 9.30 am to 6 pm, with the last entry at 5 pm.
From 1 October to 31 March, the castle opens from 9.30 am to 5 pm, with the last entry at 4 pm.
‘The Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, and Whisky Tour’ is available Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
‘Rosslyn Chapel, Stirling Castle, and Dunfermline Abbey Tour’ is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, and Kelpies Tour is available all days of the week.
All the Stirling Castle Tours collect the passengers and visitors at the given meeting point in Edinburgh between 8.45 am and 9 am.
The commute time to the attractions from the pickup point is about one hour. You will be dropped at the original meeting point at the end of the trip.
You are advised to reach the given location on time, or the tour party will move on and leave you behind.
How long does the tour take
The Stirling Castle tours are day trips spanning over nine hours and wrap up by sunset.
Factors such as travel time, traffic conditions, and the distance between locations can also impact the overall duration of the tour.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Stirling Castle is before noon.
Scotland’s weather can be unpredictable, but generally, the summer months (June to August) tend to have milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities and exploring the Stirling Castle attractions.
However, it can also be the busiest tourist season, with larger crowds and higher prices.
If you prefer to avoid large crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October).
These months offer pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and relatively fewer tourists.
The boat trips only occur during the winter months.
FAQs about Stirling Castle tours
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the Stirling Castle tours.
No, some attractions, such as the Clydeside tasting session and the inside access to Stirling Castle, are charged separately.
The Touring Operator will provide a wheelchair on prior information. However, please note that since many of the monuments are ancient and a lot of terrain is rugged, some parts of the tour might be inaccessible to people with disabilities.
No, lunch and other beverages are not covered by the tour operators.
You can book your trip here to tour Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, and the Kelpies.
You can book your trip here for a day of Whiskey Experience, Loch Lomond, and Stirling Castle.
You can book your ticket here for a day of touring Rosslyn Chapel, Stirling Castle, and Dunfermline Abbey.
Unfortunately, the tour operators don’t offer much luggage storage. The Edinburgh Waverley Station has secure storage facilities near the pickup point.
The boat tours are optional and will incur extra charges. Also, the boat tours are only available during the winter months.
The tour includes majestic highland scenery, ancient castles, novel countryside, and colorful stories and legends narrated by wonderful tour guides. The kids will love it.
Sources
# Stirlingcastle.scot
# Visitacity.com
# Wikipedia.org
# Tripadvisor.com
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