12 Amazing Castles Near Stirling To Visit
Stirling is an excellent historic base with many historic towers and castles in the area. This post lists the best castles near Stirling, and all castles are within an hour drive.
The castles in this post are found in the Loch Lomond and Trossach’s National Park, the Lothians, Falkirk and Clackmannshire.
Stirling is a great central city in Scotland. The location makes it easy to drive to many castles which are located along the central belt.
The central belt area is rich with history. There are magnificent towers, mansions houses, royal places and stronghold forts.
You can learn about the Scottish medieval times and imagine what life was like for the people who lived during these times.
Sauchie Tower
Sauchie Tower was built in the 15th century and can be viewed from the outside by the public. There are some information boards on site, which will allow you to interpret the history on the site.
Sauchie Tower once belonged to various minor nobles including de Annand, Schaw and Cathcart families before ending up in ownership of the Earl of Mansfield.
Excavations from around the site shows that the tower was still in use until the mid-18th century, perhaps for parties and occasional visits.
For now, you can only access Sauchie Tower at Doors Open Days and special guided tours during Scottish Archaeology Month.
Sauchie Tower is one of the four medieval towers on the Tower Trail. This tower is a twenty-minute drive from Stirling.
Stirling Castle
One of Scotland’s most historically important sites was once the favourite residence of the Stewart Kings and Queens. Grand celebrations including christenings and coronations were frequently held here.
There are stunning gardens to explore and superb sculptures. Located in the centre of the old Stirling on top of magnificent volcanic rock.
It is a great location, the castle was built for defence and it is in a strategic position in a country of great importance. You can see Stirling castle from miles away.
The castle is perfectly situated between the highlands and lowlands of Scotland. From the outside, you can admire its historical importance as seen by its spectacular architecture.
Highlights in the castle that are worth exploring are the Great Hall, Chapel Royal, Castle Exhibition, Regimental Museum, Great Kitchens, Tapestry Studio and the nearby 17th century Argyll’s Lodging.
The history of the castle is brought to life by knowledgeable and friendly tour guides.
Also, you can meet people dressed up as bodyguards, court officials, maids of honour and servants to embrace what life was like back in the 16th century.
This castle is a must-see for everyone especially Outlander fans as this very famous castle was used as a filming location.
Doune Castle
A stunning courtyard castle located in Doune, this makes a stunning visit. There is a striking 100ft high gatehouse and one of the best-preserved great halls in Scotland.
Doune Castle was built-in the 14th century for Regent Albany. Inside there are domestic quarters including the lovely Lord’s Hall with its carved oak screen, musicians’ gallery and double fireplace.
Doune Castle is a famous location, it has been a film set for movies including Ivanhoe and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Also, Doune Castle has featured in award-winning TV series Game of Thrones and Castle Leoch.
Located a twenty-minute north of Stirling. Entry to the castle for adults costs £9.50.
Alloa Tower
This is a historic 13th century tower with luxe furnishing. Apparently, it is one of the longest standing tower houses in Scotland.
Alloa Tower belonged to the Mar Family. Interestingly, back in medieval times, every wealthy family had a tower just in case they were attacked by a rival clan.
The 6th Earl of Marl, leader of the 1715 Jacobite Rising lived here.
This building has been well preserved due to funding from the local community. Inside you can admire the opulent 18th century interiors.
From the viewing platform at the top of the tower, you will be amazed by the wonderful views, as you can see as far out as Stirling Castle.
A twenty-minute drive east of Stirling. The tower is now managed by the National Trust For Scotland.
Entry tickets cost £6.50 per adult. Alloa Tower is one of the four medieval towers in the Tower Trail.
Clackmannan Tower
A imposing 14th century tower which is full of history. There is an information board outside explaining the history of the tower which gives you context to the building.
This tower used to belong to the Scottish crown, mostly associated with the House of Bruce. Also, Robert Burns visited the tower.
Also, Clackmannnan Tower sits on top of a hill so you will get amazing views in all directions on a nice day.
Long ago the tower was abandoned and part of the building seems to have collapsed. Moreover, there are many fine walks in the area.
You can only go inside the building once or twice a year during an open day. Historic Environment Scotland manage the building.
Clackmannan Tower is located twenty-five minutes east of Stirling. Clackmannan Tower is one of the four medieval towers in the Tower Trail.
Castle Campbell
Next on the list is a low-key place which is well worth the visit to check out the architectural ruins. The 15th-century castle is well-preserved and was home to the powerful Campbell’s earls of Argyll.
Also, back in medieval times, the castle has connections with historical figures such as John Knox & Mary Queen of Scots.
The castle is located next to Dollar Glen, on a narrow bridge overlooking the Ochill Hills. There are interpretation displays, a cobbled courtyard and Castle Campbell’s visitor centre.
Even though the castle may be closed for the time being, it is worth going for a walk up Dollar Glen. You can enjoy the surroundings of the castle and get a sneaky peek of the exterior.
Castle Campbell is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and it is a thirty-minute drive east from Stirling. Castle Campbell is one of the four medieval towers in the Tower Trail.
Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle is a 15th century structure which is well known for looking like a ship pointing out into the Firth of Forth. This castle was a strong powerful fortress which was built by the Crichtons.
Blackness has had many roles including a royal palace, a prison, an armaments depot and film locations.
The castle was used as a prison and you get a real sense of what life was like for the prisioners. As an added bonus this castle is popular with Outlander fans, as it has been used as a filming location for the TV show.
From the castle, you will get elegant views across the Firth of Forth bridges to the east. Located east of Stirling, and it takes just under forty minutes in a car to get there.
Kinneil House
Kinneil House is a 16th-century historic house to the west of Bo’ness in east-central Scotland. Long ago, it was the historic seat of Hamilton, the high status of the Hamiltons can be witnessed from the exterior and interiors.
In the 1930s, the house was saved from demolition as 16th-century mural paintings were discovered. The Antonine Wall, built by the Romans 2,000 years ago, is located next to Kinneil House.
Visitors can access Kinneil House during open days throughout the year. Kinneil House is a half an hour’s drive from Stirling and is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
Torwood Castle
This castle ruin is a beautiful building but is closed to the public. This is a great starting point if you visit the hidden blue pool or Tappoch Broch, two lovely walks.
Parking is on Glen Road just before the Devon footpath. The castle is currently being restored to its former glory. Torwood Castle is a twenty-minute drive south of Stirling.
Buchanan Castle
Clan Buchanan formerly held the land that Buchanan Castle now stands on. In the 17th century, they went bust. The original house that was on the estate was destroyed in a fire in 1852, which is when Buchanan Castle was built.
The castle was built in the “Scottish baronial Style”, which is a gothic and romantic interpretation of Renaissance architecture. The castle was built with turrets, pinnacles and pointed towers adoring the manor.
The daily lived in the castle until 1925. Then the house briefly became a hotel and a hospital in World War II.
Apparently, the hospital was famous for looking after Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s right-hand man.
After the war, the hospital became an army school, then the roof was removed in 1954 to avoid paying taxes.
From there, the building has slowly declined to what is left of it today. Buchanan Castle is a forty-five-minute drive from Stirling, located on the outskirts of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Craigend Castle
Craigend Castle is a ruin in Mugdock Country Park. The castle was built by James Smith of Jordanhill in 1816 to accommodate the plans of Alexander Ramsay.
The castle was built in Regency Gothic style, and the castle reflected the Smith’s recently acquired wealth.
Back in the days of its full glory, the interior had massive oak doors, stained glass windows, and two large drawing rooms which were decorated with blue and silver wallpaper.
The last people to live here was Sir Harold Yarrow and his family, the son of the founder of the famous shipyard Yarrow & Company. His family moved in 1920 and lived there for 27 years.
The Craigend Stables was built in 1816 and houses horses, coachmen, grooms and carriages. Craigend castle is fifty minutes from Stirling, on the outskirts of Glasgow.
Mugdock Castle
The castle is believed to have been built in the 14th century. The castle had a curtain wall, four sides, a grooved portcullis gate, a courtyard, a jail and a courthouse with accommodation for visiting nobility.
In the 5th century, gun loops were introduced due to the invention of gunpowder. Also, Mugdock was attacked twice. A walled garden was constructed in the 19th century.
Mugdock Castle is located in Mugduck Country Park. A fifty-minute drive west from Stirling. The country place is a fantastic place to walk around and it is perfect for photographers.
How many castles are there in Stirling?
Stirling is the location of Stirling Castle and Airthrey Castle. There are only two castles in Stirling but there are castles in nearby villages including Doune Castle, Baillikinrain Castle, Blackness Castle, Castle Campbell & Alloa Tower.
You do not have to drive far to find these castles. Places near Stirling that have castles are Doune, Killearn, Linlithgow, Dollar and Alloa.
Is Stirling Castle better than Edinburgh Castle?
Both castles are situated onto of a rocky plug. I believe that Stirling Castle is located on a more prominent volcanic plug compared to Edinburgh.
Also, both castles are very distinctive and played an important strategic part in being a defensive position for the area.
Final Note
Some of the ruined castles on this list are not safe to enter as the castles are in such a poor safe. These buildings have been crumbling for years and I would recommend not entering the buildings.
In Scotland, it is not classed as trespassing to most of the sites. I would avoid causing disturbance to locals but mostly you can walk anywhere without getting into trouble.
Some sites are accessible, by tours or you have to purchase a ticket. If you want to learn more about the history of Scotland get visiting some of the castles on this list.
Scotland has many castles dotted all over the country including the Islands, the west coast and the east coast. There are many castles near Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth and Glasgow.