Once again joining Bonnie, Kaelene, Sammy and Van for Travel Tuesday!
Not too far outside of both Glasgow and Edinburgh lies the charming, historic town of Stirling. Since it’s Scotland, it certainly wouldn’t be quite as charming if there wasn’t a castle to go along with it.
And some castle it was! The views from Stirling Castle were some of the best in Scotland, probably (although this is only my second castle so don’t hold me to that!). It was green, green, everywhere, which is one of my very favorite things.
We could see the castle way off in the distance–it sort of pops out of the green landscape.
Stirling is also famous because it’s the location of William Wallace’s famous Battle for Stirling Bridge during the Wars for Scottish Independence in the 1300s (think Braveheart and Mel Gibson). There is a present-day Stirling Bridge although unfortunately it’s not the exact same one.
We were lucky with the weather. Although it was a little cloudy, cool and windy, the gray colors just made it greener.
Since it was a quick stop, we only explored the castle and the grounds, including a cemetery nearby. Tell me somebody else loves cemeteries? Maybe that’s a little creepy, but they’re calm, quiet, and pretty, and I love finding ancient ones, like the one near Stirling Castle. The rest of the town looks really cute, too, and I think it would make a great day trip. Since I love little towns like this, I would probably want to stay another night or two and wander the adorable little alleys. It’s definitely worth a visit if you make it.
^I snapped a photo with my phone as we arrived. You can see this castle from everywhere!
^see that hilltop castle? and that green?
^me and my favorite travel buddy
^and this is what happens when you take selfies in the wind. This is real life, people!
^William Wallace!
^the ancient castle cemetery.
^I found a knight in shining armor! He was the strong, silent type.
^the queen’s chairs.
^I really liked this cemetery.
^squeezing through the tiny doors.
^is it annoying if I keep talking about how green it is?
^deep contemplation of the view.
^enjoying the walk on the castle walls.
^spot the Wallace monument in the distance?
I love this! I wrote my #TT post on Loch Lomond and my stop to Stirling! I stopped there mid-March and it was so grey we barely had a view over the region from the Wallace Monument. Your pictures are superb! It’s so green! I love how your picture of the castle from the street looks like a miniature Edinburgh Castle haha Thanks for sharing 🙂
I will have to check out your post! I bet in March it would be really gray–as you can see, we even had some gray skies in August! It was still beautiful and green, though 🙂 and you’re right, it does look like a mini Edinburgh castle! I had to look at it a few times to make sure I hadn’t put a picture of a different castle up there! Thanks so much for reading!! 🙂
Exploring castle grounds sounds like a awesome way to spend the day!
One of my favorite ways, for sure 🙂
Ah Stirling, such a historic place! Never yet been but I’ve read all about it in Stevenson’s Kidnapped! It’s place in Scottish literature alone is enough to make me want to go there. Looks like a very commanding sort of castle… I bet you can just feel the history there!
You really can! It just surrounds you. I loved walking on the castle wall because it just felt so OLD and historic! It is a little gem full of history as it is a major player in the background of Scotland. If you love history and literature Scotland in general is a great place to visit!
I belive I’ve seen the castle on my way to the Highlands (well, either this or an equally stunning one) and I would love to visit Stirling some day!
Just a litte note: as gorgeous as your pictures are, your post took ages to load properly and I still haven’t seen the last 5 ones. You may want to upload smaller pictures the next time. I’m so sorry 🙁
Thanks so much for letting me know! I updated my server and I think it messed some things up. Hopefully my site is easier to load now, but please let me know if not! And, I hope you do get to visit Stirling, it’s gorgeous! It’s right on the edge of the Highlands so I bet it is the one you’ve passed by!
I don’t think I have ever actually been there. That Wallace statue would be quite something to see! Wind and all 😉
As historical as it is, I don’t think it’s a big stop in Scotland! But it’s definitely worth one if you ever get a chance 🙂 but yes, even in August we had to deal with wind and a little bit of rain.
I have to admit that I’ve never really thought about visiting Stirling, but you may have just changed my mind so thank you for that!
Haha I’m glad to help! I think it’s a great day trip from Edinburgh or Glasgow, especially if like me you need to see the countryside a bit 🙂 thanks so much for stopping by!
Yes I love visiting cemeteries as well! I went to one in Paris and I swear it was my favourite thing we did!
Yay I’m glad I’m not the only one! They are just so peaceful and pretty. I bet the one in Paris is beautiful!!
Dreamy! This exactly what I think of when I think of Scotland!
Right? it’s stereotypical Scotland in the best way possible 🙂
Ooh, I love a castle, too…and one that has stories we already know, all the better! Looks like fun!
Yes a castle with history that’s well-known is the best! 🙂 It was a great day! Thanks, as always, for reading 🙂
I love that graveyard! (Is that a weird thing to say?!) x
I don’t think so because I loved it too! I only took about a thousand more pictures there 😉
I find old graveyards fantasying and great place to get some neat pictures! I could have spent HOURS in the graveyard in Montmartre Cemetery in Paris.
I had another reply about the cemetery! I’m thinking I must visit since I love them and the historical, older ones are even better.
Owww… adding Stirling to my UK bucket list!
Claire xx | somewhere… beyond the sea
You will not regret it!
Great views from the castle!
Right?? So green and beautiful!
I would love to visit Stirling, so much history in that place! View for the castle are great!
I love that you can see the views while walking on the castle wall, too! I hope you do get to visit, so lovely and historical.
I remember driving past this place when I toured the Highlands (or at least, I think I did? I must be getting old… haha), but I never got a chance to explore the castle! It looks so cool!!
I think it is on the route to the Highlands and that a lot of people pass it by. It’s pretty awesome to see it from far away, too!
It has been my wish forever to visit a castle, we don’t have many here in Asia. and I love cemetery too!!! It’s has a serenity vibe to it.
Too true, Asia does not have many castles! Lots of great temples and the like, thought :). I agree, cemeteries are so serene…I don’t know why! They are also just so well-kept and pretty most of the time, too.
Such pretty views from up on top! I love how happy you look in these pics!
Aw thanks so much! It was such a fun day! I love Scotland a lot 🙂
I’ve been creeping on your blog for a while, but don’t think I’ve commented until now. Really enjoyed this post. In fact I enjoyed it so much that I’ve nominated you for a Liebster! Find out more here: http://justathriftygypsy.blogspot.com/2014/06/dang-it-feels-good-to-be-liebster_11.html
Thank you SO MUCH for reading and commenting, and especially for nominating me! That is so, so thoughtful of you and I can’t wait to answer your questions 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed this post. It was a fun one to write!
So many awesome photos here Amy – and that green grass! It’s not something you see everywhere. Unfortunately we never made it to Sterling while in Scotland, looks like one of many reasons to return sooner than later!
It’s hard to make it to everywhere but I would obviously recommend Stirling! The green is just to die for 🙂