Shindigs, forensics, and fairies: It’s September!

by | Sep 8, 2016 | Blog

September is upon us, and you have to admit, there’s a fresh chill in the air as we teeter on the brink of autumn. But be of good cheer, because September happens to be one of Stirling’s most spectacular months! Check out these events …

Men with Coconuts, playing at The Shindig this weekend.

Men with Coconuts, hilarious high energy improv at The Shindig this weekend

Sir Moustache Bristleby and the Ed-splorers - spinning yarns to all ages at the Shindig

Sir Moustache Bristleby and the Ed-splorers – spinning yarns to all ages at the Shindig

Bloody Scotland 9-11 September

Far from being a ‘just Stirling’ event, Bloody Scotland is fast becoming a national literary treasure. Scotland’s International Crime Writing Festival draws crime writers from all over the world to Stirling every September. And in this fifth year of the festival they include Stuart MacBride, Caro Ramsay, Ian Rankin, Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre and many more. The authors give unforgettable talks on crime and writing, and offer panels on everything from forensics to soil science and witness identification. There’s even a Scotland-England writers football match. If you love a crime thriller, you need to be in Stirling this weekend! For a full events line-up, see: www.bloodyscotland.com/

The Shindig 9-11 September

After three brilliant years, the Stirling Fringe Festival has relaunched as The Shindig: The Best Wee Party in Scotland. Despite the strapline, there’s nothing ‘wee’ about the Shindig. From its new residence in the Old Town Jail, the Shindig will host a performance marquee, an acoustic zone yurt where you can kick back and relax with some low key acoustics, as well as an open air music stage for the signature acts. There will be everything from live music and comedy, to children’s storytelling, street performers, ceilidhs, pipe bands, beer tastings and street food too. With much of it free, the Shindig is well worth a visit simply for the buzz. For full details of all events, see: http://stirlingfringe.com/

Doors Open Days

Doors Open Days is an annual event throughout Scotland each September. It does exactly what it says on the tin. It opens doors to the most fascinating buildings, sites and landscapes we have, whether large or small, grand or quirky. And it’s free. More than 800 buildings are expected to open, generating over 200,000 visits to sites and architectural gems in locations throughout Scotland. The website is brilliant – simply choose where you are or want to go, and you’ll find your listings. The Stirling Open Doors focuses on 10-11 September, an already busy weekend in the Stirling calendar, but there is plenty to see on other dates throughout September, so do have a browse: http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/

Woodland Experiences

If you have kids who might find Stirling’s September a bit too hectic, how about leaving the city behind and heading outdoors for a bit of natural magic? Woodland Experiences operates from a family-tended woodland in North Ballochruin Farm in Balfron Station, just on the edge of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Their ‘Fairy Experience’ event runs throughout September, with a magical fairy trail through the woodland, and light refreshments included in the £4 ticket price. While you are there you might also want to book up for their November Light Experience, and their Santa Experience for the festive season. Nothing like being prepared! For more information, see: http://www.woodlandexperiences.co.uk/

Searching for fairies in Ballochruin Woodland

Searching for fairies in Ballochruin Woodland

Enjoy the Fairy Experience throughout September

Enjoy the Fairy Experience throughout September

Photo credits:

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August Bank Holiday – your late summer bonus

by | Jul 20, 2016 | Blog

Show me someone who doesn’t like a Bank Holiday and it’s likely his name is Mr Ebenezer Scrooge. Bank Holidays are brilliant: they’re the perfect excuse for a Sunday night bottle of wine, a day in your jammies, or, even better, a week or more away in the UK that eats up only four days of your precious annual leave. What’s not to like? And the next one is just around the corner, on Monday 28 August!

Just one of our luxury apartments and cottages in historic Stirling
Just one of our luxury apartments and cottages in historic Stirling
Craigvinean pine cone shelter Ronald Weir

Craigvinean Pine Cone Shelter, Perthshire. Around an hour’s drive from Stirling.

Chase away the post-holiday blues

For those of us who’ve already had our main summer getaway, The August Bank Holiday provides the perfect opportunity to chase away the post-holiday blues with a late summer break. Breaks like this remind us that we needn’t go far, or spend a fortune, to have a great time. Have a look at our budget accommodation if you fancy a great value city stay, or browse our luxury properties in the heart of Stirling for late summer availability too. Make Stirling your base for your August/September escape, and you have the whole of central Scotland, and a good chunk of the Highlands, within day trip distance too. Check out Destination Stirling’s guide to getting here and travel: http://www.destinationstirling.com/plan-your-visit/getting-here/

Events ideas for your late summer stay

Need some ideas for days out during your stay? There’s lots going on in Stirling:

  • Experience History at the Wallace Monument: One of Stirling’s most iconic tourist attractions, the Wallace Monument is running a whole host of captivating events this August, with costumed actors bringing Scotland’s turbulent history to life for visitors. Details of all their August events here: http://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/
  • Stirling’s Secret Gardens: a selection of private gardens throughout Stirlingshire are open until the end of September. Your small entrance fee is donated to charity and allows you to explore some of the region’s most beautiful, secluded and award-winning gardens. For more information, enter your desired postcode into the ‘search’ area of this website: http://www.scotlandsgardens.org/
  • Events at the Castle: Make the most of your visit to Stirling Castle by taking in its special events, all included in your ticket price. August brings ‘Flights into Scotland’s Past’ a beautiful exhibition of aerial photography. If you are here in September, enjoy ‘Renaissance Revelry’ at the Castle, with music, dance and drama bringing the Castle to life. Visit the kitchen and see the food they would have prepared and hear more about the past times of the nobility and Mary, Queen of Scots. For more information, visit: http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/whatson
  • Scotfairs Antiques Fair: Just before you head home, make some time for this Antiques Fair at Stirling’s beautiful Albert Halls on the first Saturday of each month. This fair is for everyone, from those who have an eye for antiques, to those who love a rummage for affordable collectibles and vintage nick-nacks. For more information, visit: http://culturestirling.org/albert-halls/
  • Theatre and music: If you fancy some theatre, music, or cinema during your stay, keep an eye on these listings at http://culturestirling.org/ and http://macrobertartscentre.org/
Gargunnock House Gardens, one of Stirlingshire's secret gardens open until late September
Gargunnock House Gardens, one of Stirlingshire’s secret gardens open until late September
Bringing history to life at the Wallace Monument this Bank Holiday
Bringing history to life at the Wallace Monument this Bank Holiday

Photo credits:

  • Craigvinean Pine Cone Shelter, Perthshire, Photo copyright Ronald Weir
  • Wallace Monument: Photo kindly supplied by Ken Thomson at the National Wallace Monument
  • Gargunnock House Gardens: Photo kindly supplied by Scotland’s Gardens

 

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Stirling: your gateway to the Festivals

by | May 25, 2016 | Blog

We all love a festival – whether it be the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, or some of the intriguing new festivals to be found within a stone’s throw of Stirling. So if you want to immerse yourself in the Edinburgh mayhem, or find something closer to home, here’s our guide!

Henderson's Bistro at The Albert Halls, Stirling

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe – the International Arts Festival’s cheeky little brother

Edinburgh Festivals

Edinburgh’s streets are alive with impromptu performances during the Festival period

Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe run from 5-29 August and draw performers and audiences from across the globe. This international arts festival and its cheeky comedy sidekick are the largest arts festivals in the world – staging way more than 50,000 acts over a three-week period. The Edinburgh Festivals are where many of our best-loved actors and comedians earned their spurs, and if you want to ‘celebrity spot’, you should definitely spend some time in Edinburgh over the Festival period with a selfie stick at the ready. Bear in mind, though, that accommodation in Edinburgh is both extortionately expensive and booked out months in advance, so consider Stirling as your alternative base. A one-hour train ride will take you from central Stirling into the heart of Edinburgh, and it’s an attractive journey too. To find out more about the Edinburgh Festivals, see their websites: http://www.eif.co.uk/ and https://www.edfringe.com/

The Shindig is the name of the re-branded Stirling Fringe Festival. This three-day arts extravaganza runs 9-11 September in the grounds of Stirling Old Town Jail. The festival aims to celebrate Scottish culture of the past, present and future, and features everything from traditional storytelling and ceilidhs to cutting edge DJs, hip hop and contemporary art. The jail’s three stages will host live music, street performances, comedy, cinema, cabaret and much more, with a beer garden and food zone on hand too. Look out for impromptu street performances in central Stirling over the Festival. For more information, see http://stirlingfringe.com/

The Solas Festival takes place 17-19 June at Blackruthven, Perth, just 45 minutes from Stirling. The line-up spans everything from literature, music, and performing arts, to events aimed specifically at families like puppet theatre, adventure circus and outdoor ‘instinctively wild’ workshops. There will be lots of local food on offer, craft-brewed beer, and a bustling marketplace to enjoy too. For more information, see: http://www.solasfestival.co.uk/

Strathyre Music Festival, 27-29 May, is the largest small community-based festival in Scotland. It takes place in Callander, Perthshire, just 25 minutes from Stirling. Its wide music offering includes everything from traditional & folk to blues. Set in the beautiful natural amphitheatre of Strathyre, the Festival is inclusive, family friendly, and includes a Festival Market place for food and drink and local crafts. For more information, visit: http://www.balvaig.co.uk/

Mhor Festival, Lochearnhead, Perthshire, is definitely one for the foodies among us on 28-29 May. Bringing together some of Scotland’s top chefs alongside bread-making workshops, a raft race, a Bugsy Malone Bar (with splurge guns), a hog roast, afternoon teas, a Mhor Bake Off, omelette challenge and much more, this event claims to be one of the most unique in Scotland (and we’re inclined to agree). There’s a market, theatre, music and pop-ups. And for the kids there’s a mini Commonwealth Games, fairground stalls, entertainment with Magwitch Monsters and pot planting in the gardens too. That’s everyone sorted then! For more information, visit: http://www.mhorfestival.net/

Edinburgh Festivals

Comedy, dance and theatre at the Festival Fringe

Edinburgh Festivals

Audiences come from across the globe to Scotland’s festivals

Photocredits: © Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society

 

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Stirling: your base for Scottish Castles

by | Apr 27, 2016 | Blog

For many, the lure to Scotland is a lot to do with its turbulent past, and the rugged romance of its landscape and legends. Nothing captures this spirit of Scotland like its castles, so here is a handful of the best, all within an hour from Stirling.

Stirling Castle Great Hall

The Great Hall, Stirling Castle

Doune Castle

Doune Castle, favoured by film crews the world over

See all of these with an Explorer Pass

Buy an Explorer Pass valid for 5 or 14 consecutive days and visit as many of these properties as you wish within that time – for no additional cost. You can even buy an Explorer Pass in person at the first property you visit. Multiple sites can be visited on any single day. You can visit a specific site only once, and the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh is not included. To buy your Explorer Pass: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/explorer-passes/

Stirling Castle

Perhaps one of Scotland’s most important castles, and one of its largest, Stirling Castle sits majestically on a tall volcanic crag in the heart of the city of Stirling, gazing over to the Wallace monument atop Abbey Craig. The castle’s strategic position overlooking the River Forth has made it a pivotal fortress in Scotland’s history, as gateway to and from the Scottish Highlands. Though its history can be traced back to ancient times, its royal residents greatly expanded the Castle throughout the 1500s adding the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal, and Palace. The Castle has been at the centre of Scottish history for centuries, overseeing the Battle of Stirling Bridge, the crowning of Mary Queen of Scots, and the Wars of Independence, to name just a few of its key events. Take a moment to enjoy the view from the battlements over to the Vale of Menteith, the Ochils and the southern Highlands. This is a great source of further info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3944wx. For information on admissions, see:  https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stirling-castle/

Doune Castle

Just eight miles from Stirling, Doune Castle has become the darling of film crews the world over, attracting the makers of Outlander, Game of Thrones, and The Outlaw King, to name just  few. The striking medieval castle was the seat of the Duke of Albany, Scotland’s ‘uncrowned King’ who effectively ruled Scotland from 1388 to 1420. Thereafter, it served as a royal retreat until 1603, when James VI left for London to become James I. Doune Castle’s unique silhouette is characterised by its commanding 100ft high gatehouse, within which you will find the Duke’s Hall, musicians’ gallery, double fireplace and oak carvings. For more detail on this stunning 14th century castle, how to get there, and admission, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/doune-castle/

Edinburgh Castle

Jump on a train to Edinburgh and within the hour, you’ll find your train carriage overshadowed by the imposing presence of Edinburgh Castle. Its place on Edinburgh’s most strategic volcanic crag can be traced back more than 1,000 years, and in the 15th and 16th centuries, was Scotland’s primary royal residence. The Castle holds articles of great national significance, including Britain’s oldest Crown Jewels ‘The Honours of Scotland’, as well as the Stone of Destiny, the ancient Scottish coronation stone, taken by Edward I in 1296 and returned in 1996. Set your watch by the one o’clock gun, and visit Mons Meg, the late medieval siege cannon that glares out over the city from its crag-top battlements. You’ll get unrivalled views across Edinburgh too. For information and admission, visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/edinburgh-castle/

Linlithgow Palace

Just 21 miles’ drive will take you to Linlithgow’s 15th century palace. Birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and a refuge for Edinburgh’s brightest students during the Great Plague, Linlithgow Palace is a beguiling place with a fascinating history. Built by the Stewart kings, this was a royal retreat rather than a fortress, offering a tranquil hideaway at a convenient location between the key seats of Stirling and Edinburgh. This commanding loch-side ruin appeared in Outlander, and is also an important haven for wildlife and migratory birds. For details and admissions, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/linlithgow-palace/

Blackness Castle

Just 27 miles from Stirling is Blackness Castle, on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. Outlander crews used this formidable fortress to depict the Fort William headquarters of Black Jack Randall. Built as a garrison fort and state prison, the austere castle offers expansive views across the Firth of Forth to Fife, as well as Scotland’s celebrated three Forth Bridges – well worth a visit with a pair of binoculars. For information and admissions, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/blackness-castle/

Aberdour Castle

Drive just 32 miles from Stirling and you will find Aberdour Castle on the Fife coast. This 12th century castle appears in Outlander as the French monastery Sainte Anne de Beaupré. Arguably the oldest standing stone castle in Scotland, Aberdour also boasts lovingly tended walled gardens and views overlooking the Forth. For more information and admissions, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/aberdour-castle-and-gardens/

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace has a tranquil loch-side setting

Edinburgh Castle

The view up to the imposing facade of Edinburgh Castle

Photo credits:

  • Stirling Castle Great Hall: By Christian Bickel (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0 de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Linlithgow Palace: Paul Taylor [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Doune Castle: By Wikifan75 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Edinburgh Castle: By Ad Meskens (Own work) [Attribution, CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

 

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