by ssc | Jun 26, 2014 | Blog
We’ve put together a list of some of the best summer family days out there are in Stirling (without even mentioning the Castle and the Wallace Monument!). If you are in Stirling with kids in the summer holidays, you will be looking for a mix of ‘big day out’ and ‘cheap and cheerful’ days. Here are some ideas to help you build your own itinerary to suit your family, your pocket, and the weather.
Big days out
Zebras at Blair Drummond Safari Park
Blair Drummond Safari Park: Less than 7 miles from Stirling, you can see lions, tigers, chimps, llamas, meerkats and much more, alongside home-grown species like Clydesdale horses and otters. Included in the admission price are boat trips round Chimp Island, sea lion shows and birds of prey displays, adventure playgrounds and pedal boats. The bouncy castle, face-painting and fun fair will cost a little extra. Two adults and two kids online ticket: £45. Website: http://www.blairdrummond.com/
Briarlands farm, Blair Drummond: Outdoor activities include jumping pillows, tractor go karts, cable ride, mini diggers, tyre maze, sand pits, a football skills challenge and animal paddocks. Indoors there is a Busy Bees craft area, Farmers Den tearoom, and you can pick your own strawberries in polytunnels too. Family entry £20. Website: http://www.briarlandsfarm.co.uk/
Battle of Bannockburn Centre: Advance booking is essential for the new state of the art centre. With costumed actors, 3D battle games and battle shows, this is an immersive tour of medieval battle best for children 7 years and above. Family tickets (two adults and up to 4 children) £30, single parent family tickets £25. Website: http://battleofbannockburn.com/.
Boness and Kinneil Railway: Take a ride on a steam train, even enjoy afternoon tea on board, or (if you are here late July) have a day out on Thomas the Tank Engine. A memorable day out with a range of tickets prices starting at Adults £9, under-fives free, with family tickets (2+3) at £25. Website: http://www.bkrailway.co.uk/
Jousting at Linlithgow Palace in July
Jousting at Linlithgow Palace: This spectacular annual event on 5 and 6 July sees costumed knights on horseback battle it out with real-life lances in traditional jousting and foot combat. There are lots of family activities too, with insights into medieval costume, a chance to meet court jesters and more. Family tickets booked online start start at £21.38. For details visit: http://www.historicscotland.gov.uk
Free days out
Callander House: Callander House in Falkirk is a brilliant free resource set in beautiful park gardens perfect for a picnic, with a kids play area on hand too. Inside the house’s restored and working Georgian kitchens, costumed staff share historic food samples, recipes and activities. The Park Gallery also runs a programme of arts and crafts activities for children of all ages. For details of the free summer programme, see this website and click at the top right to download the PDF: http://www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/venues/callendar-house/
The Kelpies at the Helix, Falkirk
The Helix: Scotland’s newest visitor attraction has something for everyone including cycleways, public art and outdoor events, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and nature activities. It’s all about connecting with our environment again, and learning about it while having loads of (free) fun in spectacular surroundings. Nestled under the shadow of sculptor Andy Smith’s Kelpies, this new park is definitely worth a visit. Website: http://www.thehelix.co.uk/things-to-do/
The Stirling Smith Museum: While small children may not be too interested the Museum’s exhibitions, the grounds outside have become a free visitor attraction in their own right. Ailie’s Garden comprises everything from a storytelling area to a willow garden, outdoor chess and draughts, a picnic area, sculpture, mosaics, labyrinth, and a children’s play area: a unique example of outdoor gallery and biodiversity garden combined. For more information: http://www.smithartgalleryandmuseum.co.uk/visitors/allies-garden
Kings Park Stirling: Very near many of our properties in Stirling, Stirling’s biggest park and playground is free entry and is fully equipped for children of all ages. There is putting, crazy golf, giant draughts/chess, tennis courts, a wheelie park for skateboards, skates and BMX bikes, toddler swings and sand areas, climbing frames, slides, helter skelter, a tyre swing and trampolines. There is plenty of space for picnics, walks and views across to the castle too. For info: http://www.visitstirling.org/AttractionDetails.aspx?docid=247
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by ssc | Jun 19, 2014 | Blog
If you’ve just arrived in Stirling for a holiday, you may not be aware that the weekend of 27, 28 and 29 June will arguably be the most important moment in Stirling’s calendar for many years to come – it’s Stirling’s Big Weekend. Over these three days, the city will be buzzing with a range of unique events commemorating the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn. It’s going to be an incredible few days – so get ready, and let us take you through what’s happening!
Provost Mike Robbins with young people taking part in Stirling's Big Weekend
Pipefest Friday 27 June: Starting the Big Weekend will be Pipefest – gathering hundreds of pipers, drummers, Highland dancers and clan members from both Scotland and across the world. If you want to immerse yourself in traditional Scottish culture (with a few contemporary twists) then now’s your chance! Make a date to watch the Pipefest parade, which will process from Stirling Castle and through the town on Friday 27 June from 7pm (though pipers will start gathering two hours before). There will be a Pipefest Ceilidh straight after the parade in the Albert Halls, Stirling, and you can book tickets for that here: http://www.pipefest.com/ceilidh/
The Armed Forces Day National Event is part of Stirling's Big Weekend
The Armed Forces Day National Event Saturday 28 June: The next day, Stirling will lead the nation in honouring Britain’s service men and women with a day packed full of military displays and activity in the Armed Forces Day National Event. A military parade will strike out at 11am, again from Stirling Castle, and wend its way through the Old Town to the event grounds just off Raploch Road. There follows a packed schedule of aerial displays including Tornado Flypasts, the Red Devils Parachute Team, and the Red Arrows Display Team. Underpinning activity in the sky, the main stage will see performances from The Kennedy Cup Cakes to Bags of Rocks, while the two arenas will stage military displays including The Royal Marine Band, working dog display teams and Royal Marine unarmed combat displays. For detailed information and also a brilliant list of free activities that are going on in the town at the same time, see http://www.stirlingarmedforcesday.co.uk/. Don’t miss the information under ‘more’ at the bottom of this web page!
Bannockburn Live will be the dramatic cornerstone of Stirling's Big Weekend
Bannockburn Live Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June: The new Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre and its surrounds will host Bannockburn Live on 28 and 29 June. During Bannockburn Live, around 300 re-enactors will recreate the spectacle of battle three times a day. Interactive medieval encampments will demonstrate how battle preparations were made, with working blacksmiths, kitchens, armouries and living quarters. Visitors will be able to trace their ancestry in the Clan and Family Village, as well as listen to the stories of around 40 Clans from Scotland, the UK and overseas. A food and drink village will not only provide visitors with the artisan and seasonal flavours of Scotland, but offer demonstrations of both modern and medieval cooking. Visitors will be able to both hear and create their own Scottish tales with music, song and storytelling workshops, as well as try their hand at ancient crafts. Meanwhile, the Main Stage will provide a musical backdrop to the festival, with a fantastic line-up of live music just announced, featuring artists including Dougie MacLean, Julie Fowlis and much more. For tickets to Bannockburn Live, and much more information, visit: http://www.bannockburnlive.com/
And it doesn’t end there – venues throughout Stirling will be celebrating the Big Weekend with their own unique events. Here are just a few:
Be prepared – it will be a busy weekend, but one you will never forget!
by ssc | Jun 5, 2014 | Blog
One of the best things about Stirling is its location – centrally located in Scotland, it’s not only a beautiful and historic town that merits thorough exploration, it is also an ideal stepping stone to other places that might otherwise be just out of reach. In this week’s blog, we look at easy day trips from Stirling that have something for everyone, no matter who is in your holiday party.
Callander Meadows by the River Teith
Callander: Just 25 minutes’ drive north-west from Stirling is the picturesque town of Callander on the River Teith. This stunning little town provided the original filming location for the Dr Findlay’s Casebook series in the 60s. These days, it’s a town full of character, with lots to offer the day tourist. The shops are small, independent and quirky, ranging from tea shops to sweet and ice cream shops, cafes, restaurants, gifts and crafts, second hand bookshops, specialist walking and outdoor, health food and much more. There is ample parking by the River Teith at Callander Meadows, an ideal picnic spot and base for your day. For those with families, there’s also a large, well-maintained adventure playground right there. The Tourist Information Centre is helpful and well-stocked; ask about riverside walks along the Teith or the walk up to Bracklinn Falls – you may also want to visit the 13th-century Inchmahome Priory on the Lake of Menteith, just 8 miles away. For more information on Callander see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Callander and for walks in Callander, see: http://www.incallander.co.uk/walks/easywalks.htm
The Lake, Drummond Castle Gardens, Crieff
Crieff: Just a half-hour drive or 23 miles from Stirling is the town of Crieff, recent hosts to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, or William and Kate as they are better known. The royal couple were there primarily to visit the just re-opened ‘Famous Grouse Experience’ at the Glenturret Whisky Distillery, well worth a visit for the whisky connoisseur. Gardeners will appreciate the stunning Drummond Gardens, two miles south of Crieff at Drummond Castle, while nature watchers won’t mind an extra 8 miles’ drive north beyond the town to Buchanty Spout. Salmon leap dramatically up these falls in autumn, but Buchanty Spout is worth a visit any season, especially after rainfall. All that said, you needn’t visit Crieff with a particular visitor experience in mind – it’s a beautiful town in its own right and well worth a wander at your leisure.
Atmospheric Doune Castle, just a few miles from Stirling
Doune: For such a little place, there is so much to see here! Just 8 miles north of Stirling on the River Teith, Doune has recently gained some celebrity – its historic castle has been a much-favoured location for the filming of the cult tv series ‘Game of Thrones’. It’s not the first time the castle has been used in high-profile filming – it provided the backdrop for ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ too. Doune Castle is well worth a visit at any time of year, and a stunning example of 14th century architecture on the banks of the river. Good place for a picnic too. Just outside of Doune in Deanston, you will find Deanston Malt, a traditional distillery on the site of a former cotton mill, now clearly signposted with a visitor centre and tours beginning at just £8. For those more interested in nature than whisky, why not visit the Red Kites at Argaty, one of the few chances you will get to see these magnificent birds of prey up close and in flight.
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by ssc | May 30, 2014 | Blog
Stunning Loch Lomond, centrepiece to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park
Every year, the BBC runs Springwatch and Autumnwatch, a series of live programmes that highlights the very best bits of the UK’s seasonal nature using webcams, local experts and stunning footage. This year the main crew are based in the RSPB Minsmere Reserve in Suffolk, with co-presenter Iolo Williams broadcasting live from Poltalloch in Argyll and Sutherland – an unspoilt stretch of Scotland’s west coast that boasts sea eagles, seals, otters, beavers, and sightings of wildcat. But is spotting such incredible examples of Scotland’s nature just the preserve of TV crews and conservationists? The answer is no, because Scotland has been voted Europe’s No1 wildlife-watching destination, and with the accolade, has become even better at getting the layman out there to enjoy the very best of the nation’s wildlife.
Osprey at Loch of the Lowes near Dunkeld
Wild places near Stirling: If you’re staying in Stirling and want to see some of Scotland’s wildlife in unspoilt surroundings, then head for Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, around a 30-minute drive from Stirling’s city centre. Throughout the year, Park Rangers organise and support wildlife watching events to teach the skills of successful and sustainable wildlife watching. Check their events calendar for information. Because the Park encompasses a wide range of distinct habitats, wildlife watchers can be rewarded with sightings of many different species within a relatively small area. The Queen Elizabeth and Argyll Forest parks areas are home to red squirrel, badger, red and roe deer, as well as hedgehogs and bats at dusk. Ospreys are summer visitors to the waters of Loch Lomond and the Lake of Menteith. On higher ground within the park, forest plantations provide ideal habitat for golden eagles and the fascinating black grouse – watching the black grouse ‘lekking’ in early mornings is a pursuit in itself for keen birdwatchers. Loch Long and Loch Goil are home to both seals and porpoises, with wading birds in abundance at the mouth of the River Eachaig at Kilmun. The Park provides a vital habitat to the endangered water vole, and observers may also glimpse otter. With the guidance of a ranger, or even just a little patience, there is no reason why even inexperienced observers can’t see at least some of Scotland’s fascinating wildlife in the Park. If you need any more inspiration, the Park’s Top Ten Days Out provides a list of easy outings, each with the promise of a nature sighting ranging from osprey to woodpeckers, fallow deer to butterflies. If you want a pretty much guaranteed osprey sighting, head for Loch of the Lowes Visitor Centre and Wildlife Reserve near Dunkeld, just one hour from Stirling (and a beautiful drive too).
Wildlife watchers can spot seals at Loch Long and Loch Goil
Knowing what to look for: For the most rewarding wildlife watching – wherever you are in Scotland – it helps to know exactly what you should be looking for at what time of year. The Scottish seasons bring migrating birds, as well as short-lived seasonal spectacles like carpets of bluebells, the deer rut, black grouse lekking and much more – moments in nature that can add a bit of magic to your stay. To help you plan your holiday around what nature is doing, Wild Scotland provides a nature-watching calendar explaining what you can expect to see when. The site also describes the wildlife you will typically find in each region of Scotland, including Perthshire and Stirling. Elsewhere you will also find helpful advice on successful wildlife watching, as well as details of guided nature watches for those who want to learn the ropes. The interactive adventure map is a brilliant resource to help pinpoint the tour guide nearest you, including providers right here in Stirling.
There has never been a better time to explore natural Scotland, no matter how inexperienced you may be. So, treat yourself to a pair of sturdy walking shoes, a waterproof and a pair of binoculars, and get out there!
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by ssc | May 15, 2014 | Blog
The bridge and weir over the Allan Water at the entrance to Bridge of Allan
In a previous blog we talked about how, with holidays, less is more. Sometimes, to get to the heart of a place, it’s better to immerse yourself in just one corner of it at a slower pace, than try to rattle through all the recommended tourist attractions with a checklist. So this week, we are looking at another beautiful little bit of Stirlingshire, Bridge of Allan.
Bridge of Allan lies just three miles from the heart of Stirling. It is home to two of Stirling Self Catering’s properties – Haverstock and Allanvale apartment, and has a unique charm all of its own. Its main street is peppered with small, independent shops that you will find nowhere else, and there are some great places to eat too, whether you want fine dining or fish and chips. You can drive there from central Stirling, or better still, catch the frequent train from Stirling city centre for just one stop.
History: Bridge of Allan was first recorded in a written charter in the reign of David 1, which makes it some 900 years old. In the 1500s, a steep hog-backed bridge was built over the Allan Water to replace the old ford, which prompted the building of small houses there. In the woods above the fledgling town, copper, silver and gold were mined, and the population grew. In the 1850s, Bridge of Allan gained both recognition and wealth as a spa town, where the affluent would come to ‘take the waters’, among them Robert Louis Stevenson and Charles Dickens. Its wide roads and impressive villas took shape, alongside the (still beautifully preserved) parks and gardens. Today, Bridge of Allan is worth at least one day out of your holiday to explore. And here’s a few reasons why:
The Old Bridge Area: Follow signs to Bridge of Allan Rail Station and you will pass the Old Bridge Inn, built in 1710, a building central to the town’s ‘Bridge End’, the area where the first bridge across the river was built in 1520. Just near the pub you will see the former meal mill, recently restored, which was one of several mills formerly powered by the River Allan.
Villas of Blairforkie Drive, Bridge of Allan
The Allan Water and Bridge: Down by the side of the Allan Water Bridge is a great little picnic area just on the river bank by the weir – if you’re lucky you will see heron and dippers. For the more ambitious, you can walk from Bridge of Allan along the Allan Water to Dunblane along the ‘Darn Road’, catching a train from Dunblane for the quick hop back to Bridge of Allan. To start, find the path off Blairforkie Drive just by the river. Take care in poor weather as the path can be slippy. For details, see: http://www.instirling.com/walks/darnmap.htm and http://www.heritagepaths.co.uk/pathdetails.php?path=90
The Allanwater Brewhouse: Tucked behind the Queen’s Hotel, just off the main street of Bridge of Allan, this innovative micro-brewery (the smallest commercial brewer in Scotland) combines brewery, pub, and brewery shop. It offers tours, sampling, a cosy bar, good food, live music events and a very relaxed atmosphere. Entry and tastings of Allanwater’s best-selling cask ales is free. A hidden gem. Details here: http://bridgeofallan.co.uk/
The Nineveh Fountain, Bridge of Allan, erected in the town's heyday as a spa town
Bridge of Allan Heritage Trail: This brilliant little walk takes in many of Bridge of Allan’s historical landmarks including the Tollbar Stone, the Spa town’s first bath house, the Provost’s Lamp, the Paterson Clock, a walk to Stevenson’s Cave and more. It includes starting point, directions, and full information on each of the sites you will see: http://www.explore-stirling.com/what-to-do/walk-tour/the-bridge-of-allan-heritage-trail/
The Pullar Memorial Park: At the far end of Bridge of Allan, just before the University, is Pullar Memorial Park, stunning gardens that are home to the town’s war memorial. These gardens are worth a walk at any time of year but are particularly beautiful in April/May when the outer avenues are in full blossom. For information see: http://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/pullar-memorial-park-p254021
For more information on Bridge of Allan shopping and restaurants, see: http://www.bridgeofallan.com/
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Stirling Self Catering is not responsible for any outdated or incorrect information on external websites that it provides links to.
by ssc | May 8, 2014 | Blog
Bank Holidays remind us of the simple pleasures
Bank Holidays – we love them. They are the perfect excuse for a weekend away, or even better, a week off work that doesn’t wipe out your annual leave before the summer holidays even start. Bank holidays are the stuff of front page news – if the weather is good both tabloids and broadsheets will jockey for the very best ‘fun in the sun’ cover shot – and that photo will invariably be taken right here in the UK. And why is that? Well, perhaps the best thing about Bank Holidays is that they make us appreciate the good bits of our own country. Bank Holidays remind us that we needn’t go far, or spend a fortune, to have a great time. And with Bank Holidays at its beginning and end, May is perhaps the best month to enjoy a short break in Scotland.
Riverside, Stirling, an ideal spot for a May Bank Holiday picnic
The history of the Bank Holiday: The first official Bank holidays were established by the Bank Holidays Act of 1871, in which England, Wales and Ireland were granted four days, while Scotland was granted five (north of the border we need a day to recover after Hogmanay!) In 1971, responding to the pleas of diary and calendar makers UK-wide, the ‘random’ nature of Bank Holidays was removed, the dates fixed, and another few days added, to the extent that we can now diarise around eight paid ‘magic Mondays’ off per year. And it’s not over yet – there is widespread feeling that the UK should be granted more Bank Holidays to take us up to a number comparable to that of our European counterparts. Best contenders for future national Bank Holidays are 23 April (St George’s Day and the birth date of William Shakespeare), 1 March (St David’s Day, patron saint of Wales), 17 March (St Patrick’s Day, patron saint of Ireland and currently only recognised as a holiday in Northern Ireland), and 30 November (St Andrew’s Day – currently only recognised in Scotland).
May is the perfect month for birdwatching in Scotland
Making the most of May Bank Holidays in Scotland: Whether you live in Scotland or not, there couldn’t be a better time to explore it than in May. If you are from the UK, you will have two Bank Holidays to choose from to create a starting point for a break away. Further, May school holiday dates in Scotland, England and Wales all differ slightly, with the happy result that accommodation prices are affordable and late vacancies easier to find. Added to that, you will find that Scotland’s weather is often at its best in May, with mild temperatures, lengthening days, and the first flush of early summer visible in the landscape.
May events in Stirling: If Stirling is your destination for this most beautiful and relaxed of months, then you will be spoiled for a choice of events too:
Photo credit: Image of Riverside, Stirling, Author: Richard Webb [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
