Stirling factfile

How to get to Stirling
Stirling is situated in central Scotland, 48 km (30 mi) north-east of Glasgow and 57 km (37 mi) north-west of Edinburgh.

How Stirling got its name
It's believed that the name Stirling comes from striveling, which means place of strife or struggle.

Famous landmarks in Stirling
Stirling Castle sits atop an 80 m (260 ft) high volcanic crag. First references to the castle date back to the early 12th century. The castle as it stands today was built between 1370 and 1750. In recent times, the castle esplanade has been used as an open-air concert venue by the likes of REM and Bob Dylan.

Stirling Old Bridge is half a mile north of the city centre. Built at the beginning of the 16th century, the bridge was the lowest bridging point across the River Forth for hundreds of years.

Stirling's claim to fame
Near to Stirling Castle is the Church of the Holy Rood or Holy Cross. Here, in 1567, the infant son of Mary Queen of Scots was crowned James VI of Scotland. Apart from Westminster Abbey, this is the only surviving church in the UK to have held a coronation.

Shopping in Stirling
Shopping in the heart of Stirling caters to a range of tastes. Baker Street offers a mix of independent and chain shops, and many of the city's highly regarded restaurants and bars.

The Craigs shopping area offers traditional shops and more restaurants, while adjacent King Street boasts the Old Victorian Shopping Arcade. The Thistle Centre, Stirling's indoor shopping mall, is full of high-street favourites.

Things to see and do around Stirling
Just north-east of Stirling is the Wallace Monument to Scotland's freedom fighter, Sir William Wallace, immortalised in the film Braveheart. Built in 1869, it stands 67 m (220 ft) high. From the viewing platform you can look far out across the Scottish landscape, and see the Forth bridges and Ben Lomond.

Bannockburn Heritage Centre is just two miles south of Stirling. The centre commemorates Robert the Bruce's victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

Doune Castle is 13 km (8 mi) north-west of Stirling. The medieval castle is often used as a location for period dramas and films, and was the setting for the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Natural beauty spots in Stirling
Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park are situated just 24 km (15 mi) from Stirling. The National Park is divided into four main areas—Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, Breadalbane and the Argyll Forest.

The landscape is varied, from the deep waters of Loch Lomond, towered over by Ben Lomond, to the sea lochs that border the Argyll Forest. The Trossachs are made up of glens and lochs, while Breadalbane to the north is scattered with high mountains such as Ben Lui, Ben Challum and Ben More.