The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Stirlingshire, Scotland

November 29, 2021 Carley Gatson

Discover the best top things to do in Stirlingshire, United Kingdom including Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, Balloch VisitScotland iCentre, Ben A'an, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, In Your Element Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, National Wallace Monument, Loch Lomond, Doune Castle, Church of the Holy Rude.
Restaurants in Stirlingshire

1. Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Scotland https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/scotlands-national-nature-reserves/loch-lomond-national-nature-reserve
Excellent
84%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 50 reviews

Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve

This beautiful region consists of clear pure water, interrupted by a generous sprinkling of green islands with gently rolling pastures and rugged highland peaks; a perfect place for hiking, bird watching or just communing peacefully with nature.

Reviewed By Andrew-Leakey - Leigh, United Kingdom

Underwhelming parking and track led to the most breath taking view. Stunning place in sunny weather. Then the rain came and we got rainbows. So beautiful. Little stroll around the lakeside to take some further views in. Gorgeous spots all around. Really enjoyed our visit.

2. Balloch VisitScotland iCentre

Old Station Building Balloch Road Old Station Building, Balloch, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park G83 8SS Scotland +44 1389 753533 [email protected] http://www.visitscotland.com/en-us/info/services/balloch-information-centre-p332391
Excellent
80%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 162 reviews

Balloch VisitScotland iCentre

Balloch Information Centre is located in the beautiful red sandstone Old Station Building in the centre of Balloch, directly opposite Balloch Central train station. Balloch is a charming town located at the southern edge of Loch Lomond and is a great base for exploring the beautiful Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. For those that enjoy the great outdoors, Balloch is a great place to get active both on land and on water with a wide range of activities on offer throughout the year. A warm welcome awaits you at Balloch VisitScotland Information Centre where the knowledgeable staff will assist you in how to spend the perfect day in Balloch, providing you with a local map and many suggestions as to what you can do. You can also purchase discounted tickets for local attractions to include the Loch Lomond Sealife Centre and the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre. There is also a wide selection of Scottish gifts that can be purchased from the Information Centre, such as Harris Tweed bags and purses, shortbread and a wide selection of guide books and maps. Getting to Balloch couldn't be easier! Trains leave frequently from Glasgow city centre directly to Balloch and Scottish Citylink coaches pass Balloch as they travel north. Balloch is well connected by road by the A82 and A811.

Reviewed By williammF7651SV - North Pole, United States

Popped in to gain information on local area or trips further North in Scotland & always found the staff helpful & knowledgeable. Can’t recommend them enough.

3. Ben A'an

Callander, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Scotland http://lochlomond-thetrossachs.co.uk
Excellent
78%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 134 reviews

Ben A'an

Reviewed By mellm16 - Glasgow, United Kingdom

Ben A’an is a great hike, it probably took us 1hr 30 up with a few stops and similar back down. It has quite a steep incline so bear that in mind, however the views at the summit are spectacular! Definitely worth a visit. Note** if parking make sure to get there early as on weekends it gets very busy after 9:30am and nowhere to park on the roads. Also bring midgy repellent it was full of them!

4. Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park FK8 3UX Scotland http://www.forestry.gov.uk/qefp
Excellent
78%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 40 reviews

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Reviewed By R3904JEmikem - Whitley Bay, United Kingdom

We visited on a wet day to see the Little Fawn waterfall, which was in full flight due to all of the rain and was magnificent. The walk was one of four, beautifully laid out to allow the visitor to see a good range of scenery. Interesting sculptures are scattered around which fit in to their context and keep adults and children alike entered and involved. The fantastic lichen on the trees attest to the quality of the air. The fact that there is not even one cranky poor review here tells you everything you need to know about this facility.

5. In Your Element Loch Lomond

Unit 6, Balloch, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park G83 0TL Scotland +44 333 700 7004 [email protected] https://iye.scot/loch-lomond/
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 46 reviews

In Your Element Loch Lomond

Mobile adventure activity company offering amazing outdoor experiences across the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and beyond. Activities for schools and youth groups, families, stags and hens, corporate groups, work colleagues, charities and groups of mates. Activities include canoeing, river sledging, gorge walking, aerial adventure at Treezone, river tubing, archery, canyoning, segways and more!

Reviewed By SDSH74 - Ronda, Spain

Fantastic afternoon gorge walking in October with our guide Ryan. All kit provided was great. Thick wetsuits, boots and gloves. Not cold at al! Great fun jumping into rivers and sliding down waterfalls with a top guide.

6. Stirling Castle

Castle Esplanade Upper Castle Hill, Old Town, Stirling FK8 1EJ Scotland +44 1786 450000 [email protected] http://www.stirlingcastle.scot
Excellent
64%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,220 reviews

Stirling Castle

Dominating the skyline for miles around, Stirling Castle is a shining example of Renaissance architecture. Visitors can look out from its high stone walls to the battlefields of Stirling Bridge where great medieval armies clashed to decide the fate of nations. Home to generations of Scottish monarchs including, Mary Queen of Scots, the Castle is an enduring and powerful reminder of our fascinating history.

Reviewed By GordonYates - Stirling, United Kingdom

This was a wonderful day out - we went with our 7 year old twin grand daughters who had a whale of a time! They found the experience a great adventure The Castle was well organised and managed with knowledgeable and friendly staff that all added to the experience We all enjoyed a snack at the Unicorn Cafe - again well run and organised, in fact the coffee was good Most of castle was opened, in fact not much is closed off!

7. National Wallace Monument

Hillfoots Road Abbey Craig, Stirling FK9 5LF Scotland +44 1786 472140 [email protected] http://www.nationalwallacemonument.com
Excellent
59%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,560 reviews

National Wallace Monument

A national hero - a national landmark. For 150 years The National Wallace Monument has been standing proudly on The Abbey Craig, outside the historic city of Stirling, and telling the thrilling story of Sir William Wallace, Patriot, Martyr, and Guardian of Scotland.

Reviewed By MiaCD - Fareham, United Kingdom

The climb up to the top of the Monument is well worth the climb and the viewing of the artifacts within are breath taking, the gift shop is reasonably priced as well, we will be back to climb those stairs again!

8. Loch Lomond

Stirling Scotland http://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/
Excellent
63%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 522 reviews

Loch Lomond

The largest fresh-water loch in the United Kingdom.

Reviewed By Gibbo1964 - Melbourne, Australia

My wife and I walked virtually the full length of the loch on the eastern side on days 2 and 3 of the West Highland Way. We were very lucky with great weather. The loch was a real highlight of the walk.

9. Doune Castle

Castle Hill, Doune, Stirling FK16 6EA Scotland +44 1786 841742 [email protected] http://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/doune-castle/
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,363 reviews

Doune Castle

Doune Castle is now open and we are delighted to welcome you back. Booking in advance is essential. Find out more and book at restarthistory.scot. Explore this 14th century courtyard castle in Doune, with a striking 100 ft high gatehouse and one of the best preserved great halls in Scotland. The formidable Doune Castle was built for the Regent Albany. The striking keep-gatehouse combines domestic quarters including the splendid Lord's Hall with its carved oak screen, musicians' gallery and double fireplace. This was used as a film location for the BBC production of Ivanhoe and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. As well as being heavily featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Doune Castle was also used for the castle known as Winterfell in the pilot of the award winning TV series Game of Thrones as well as Castle Leoch in Outlander.

Reviewed By LouiseT2115

As a Monty Python fan we had to visit! Little did I know that there is also a Game of Thrones connection too!! Gorgeous castle, fascinating history (the free audio guide is a MUST!), incredibly kind, knowledgeable and helpful staff. Don't miss this castle if you are visiting the area!

10. Church of the Holy Rude

St. John Street, Stirling FK8 1ED Scotland +44 1786 475275 http://www.holyrude.org
Excellent
52%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 438 reviews

Church of the Holy Rude

Reviewed By 9alba

I went on a church walk as part of the Stirling Photography Festival in August 2019. There is plenty to see in and around the church which is at the top of the town near the castle. The graveyard has a number of important grave sites and the church itself has a fascinating history.

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