Stay near a castle

Where to stay near Stirling Castle

No. Historic Environment Scotland's own pages for Stirling Castle do not offer any overnight accommodation, cottages or apartments at the castle itself. The castle is open for day visits only. There is no holiday letting programme linked to Stirling Castle on the pages checked.

Luxury Shepherd Hut w Outdoor Bath at Powis Estate, Stirling

Historic places to stay near Stirling Castle

Menstrie Castle Stay, Stirling

Level 5 True Castle

Menstrie Castle Stay

Menstrie, Clackmannanshire

about 4 miles (7 km) from the castle

A 17th-century courtyard house, Category A listed. All three self-catering apartments are inside the historic castle walls.

Sleep inside the walls

  • Dogs allowed
  • Family rooms

4-star · Guests 9.5/10

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Glenskirlie Castle Hotel, Banknock

Level 4 Castle-Style Mansion

Glenskirlie Castle Hotel

Banknock, Stirlingshire

about 9 miles (15 km) from the castle

A purpose-built castle-style building completed in 2007, designed to look like a 16th-century Scottish castle, with no defensive history. Bedrooms are inside this modern castle building.

Sleep inside the walls

  • Restaurant

4-star · Guests 8.4/10

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Other places to stay near Stirling Castle

These are ordinary hotels, guest houses and apartments close to the castle, not historic buildings. They are here for convenience.

The castle and the places to stay around it.

Map tiles from OpenStreetMap.

About Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle stands on a volcanic crag above the city of Stirling. According to Historic Environment Scotland, the castle is first mentioned in records around 1110. James IV built the King's Old Building in 1496, the Great Hall around 1503 and the Forework around 1500, and his son James V built the Royal Palace around 1540. James VI commissioned the Chapel Royal in 1594, and Queen Anne added outer defences around 1710.

The castle sits close to two of Scotland's best known medieval battles: William Wallace's victory at Stirling Bridge in 1297 and Robert the Bruce's victory at Bannockburn in 1314, after which the castle was recaptured by Scotland in 1342, according to Historic Environment Scotland. Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned there in 1543, and in 1566 the baptism of James VI's son is recorded with what is described as the first recorded Scottish fireworks display.

Nearly every Scottish monarch used Stirling Castle until the Union of the Crowns in 1603, according to Historic Environment Scotland, which now cares for the castle and publishes a Statement of Significance covering its protected status.

Visiting Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is open daily from 9.30am to 6pm from 1 April to 30 September, and from 9.30am to 5pm from 1 October to 31 March, according to Historic Environment Scotland (checked September 2026). Last entry is one hour before closing. It opens 9.30am to 4pm on 24 December, from 11am on 1 January, and is closed on 25 and 26 December.

At the time of checking (September 2026), the main castle car park was closed to all vehicles except coaches and those needing accessible parking, with alternatives listed on the 'Plan your visit' section of the website. Historic Environment Scotland offers a 25% discount at selected sites for visitors who arrive by train, bus or bike.

Questions

Can you stay overnight at Stirling Castle?

No. Historic Environment Scotland's own pages for Stirling Castle list no overnight accommodation, cottages or apartments at the castle itself, which is open for day visits only. There is no holiday letting programme linked to Stirling Castle on the pages checked.

When was Stirling Castle built?

Stirling Castle is first mentioned in records around 1110, according to Historic Environment Scotland. Much of what survives today dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, including the Great Hall built around 1503 by James IV and the Royal Palace built around 1540 by James V.

What battles happened near Stirling Castle?

William Wallace won a major victory at the nearby Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, and Robert the Bruce defeated the English at Bannockburn in 1314, according to Historic Environment Scotland. The castle itself was recaptured by Scotland in 1342 after a long period under English control.

Was Mary, Queen of Scots crowned at Stirling Castle?

Yes. Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned at Stirling Castle in 1543, according to Historic Environment Scotland. The castle was closely tied to the Scottish crown, and nearly every Scottish monarch used it as a residence until the Union of the Crowns in 1603.

What are Stirling Castle's opening hours?

Stirling Castle opens daily from 9.30am to 6pm between April and September, and from 9.30am to 5pm between October and March, according to Historic Environment Scotland (checked September 2026). Last entry is one hour before closing, and the castle closes on 25 and 26 December.

Sources and checks

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