Great views from the top! Free entry if you live in the local area. Interesting story but more…read morecould be done with the place. Well worth a visit.

This place is up and coming. There is alot to be learned and ot alot of people know about it. An…read moreinteresting day out if you like local/scottish history and heritage,

For historians, even those whose knowledge of Scottish "history" (used loosely) stems from multiple…read moreviewings of Braveheart (yeah, you know who you are!), there are several sites in Stirling that are must visits. The Old Stirling Bridge is one of them; the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle being at least two others. Fortunately, Stirling isn't all that big, and you can easily walk between the three without too much effort, and you'll be rewarded with gorgeous river views, and a bit of actual historical education along the way, for your trouble. Just make sure you end up on the Old Stirling Bridge, and not the adjacent A9 overpass. It may look similar, but you wouldn't want to get run over by a lorry while daydreaming about Mel Gibson in a kilt and wielding a claymore. That would just be weird.

I thought I would have been able to walk to this while at Stirling castle but it looked quite a…read morewalk away so I optedW to snatch some quick photos while driving past on the coach which was just as thrilling for me as actually being on it and it is a stunning bridge as bridges go due to its history. Hopefully one day I might get the chance to actually stand on it, touch it, feel it but for now I'm happy to have this stunning photo.

Built in 1761, the Pineapple was a birthday present for the Earl of Dunmore's wife, Susan, daughter…read moreof the 9th Duke of Hamilton. Because nothing says 'Happy Birthday' more than an exotic fruit-topped summerhouse! Now belonging to the National Trust of Scotland, the Pineapple really is an odd sight to see. The building itself is large and regal; the pineapple on top the evident show stealer. It is every bit as eccentric as it sounds and really worth the trip to visit and wander the grounds. When we visited during a group cycle, there was some ongoing maintenance at the front of the building. But this was alright. - We could still see the pineapple! You can rent out the Pineapple which I imagine would be quite the experience. I like to think that, back in the day, it was host to some epic Gatsby-esque parties, sipping on gin and partying like it's 1761. Because when faced with several invitations, I've no doubt that it was this pineapple adorned estate which people chose to rock up at. I wish I could time-travel back to see! Why did the exotic fruit-on-house thing never catch on? I'd totally want a mango-adorned house.

Beautiful house & well kept gardens & nature pond.read more

The monument was another one of our stops during our drive through Stirling…read more The parking lot was quite large and quite busy for an April morning. The ticket counter was inside a small building with the cafe, gift shop and bathrooms. Getting to the monument was via a gravel path or a free van ride. I went up via the van and wandered down in my own afterwards. The van saved my calves for the stair climb to the top of the monument. At the base of the monument I had to check in and show my ticket. I had to wait before a staff member gave the clear to start the climb up. The rest of the way was on our own with most of us giving way to the people coming down. There were three levels inside. The highlights were the details about the battle of Stirling Bridge, William Wallace and seeing his original sword. At the top I took advantage of the clear and sunny day to take my panorama photos. Beautiful. I also saw the battle site and understood how easily the British were defeated. The walk down the monument was easy and so was the walk down to the parking lot. For fans and non-fans of Braveheart this was a great stop to see in Scotland.

William Wallace, the hero of Scotland. What a great story I have to "tale" from my adventure!…read more Admission tickets can be bought online or onsite. This allows you access to the four levels within the Monument. It's a heck of a climb via a 246-step spiral staircase. No whimps allowed! It's a tight squeeze going up or down! There are three exhibition galleries on the way to the top. At the Crown, there is a 380 degree view of Stirling. What an amazing view, regardless of the weather! Most of us have heard the story of Wallace's betrayal by Monteith at Robroyston, and his subsequent removal to London to be executed for alleged treason by the most barbarous method possible. Wallace was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. This was an English ritual that ensured that the "guilty" could not rise again on Judgement Day - vengeance for Wallace even beyond the grave. Wallaces head was spiked on London Bridge, and the four quarters of his mutilated body displayed in Newcastle, Berwick, Perth and Stirling, as a warning to those who transgressed against the rule of Longshanks. No final resting place for Scotland's best-known hero. Following Wallace's execution and dismemberment, one quarter of his mutilated body was displayed on the repaired and rebuilt Stirling Bridge. No doubt this was thought by the English overlords to be a fitting place to show off their grim trophy. This is where the legend begins! Wallace had links through his uncle to the monks at Cambuskenneth. At that time, the church was far more militant and church leaders (and no doubt their subordinates) were fiercely loyal to Scotland and to the cause of freedom. The legend states that a group of monks from the Abbey retrieved the remains of Wallace's body. The intention was to give Wallace a Christian burial. It is said they did, telling no-one outside the Abbey. This would have brought fatal consequences upon the Abbey. Longshanks were known to have no regard for the Scottish Church. Cambuskenneth Abbey is, sadly, mostly ruined now, and apart from the main tower little remains bar foundations and low (ground level) walls. There is an area, where it is said that Wallace's remains were interred by the loyal monks. Although badly eroded, the initials "WW" in antique script can still be noted. A coincidence or perhaps something placed later to give substance to the legend? We will never know. Stand at the end of the stone and look out. What do you see? The stone points towards the Abbey Craigs, the scene of Wallace's greatest triumph. The massive rock on which he and De Moray stood to direct the course of the battle with their horns and trumpeters... So is it true? No-one knows, but it's a interesting story. I personally would like to think that the good monks of Cambuskenneth did their Christian duty to the relative of a friend, and helped avert at least some of Longshanks' malevolence. It's worth a visit if you are in the vicinity and you enjoy history! You can see the monument from miles around. If you don't want to see inside, park at the bottom and walk up the hill for free. Lots of things to see on the walk up or down. September 2023

The Battle of Bannockburn is important to Scotland's history. This battle was fought on 23-24 June…read more1314, between the army of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, and the army of King Edward II of England, during the First War of Scottish Independence. Robert Bruce was victorious and this formed a major turning point in the war, which ended 14 years later restoring the Scottish independence.

A good value for 5, especially if you are a history buff. The centre doesn't contain a museum per…read morese, because there are no artifacts. Yet they have a substantial exhibit explaining the battle and its political backstory and aftermath. There is also a twelve-minute film relating the exciting story through narration, music, and handsome drawings, plus a "living history" presentation. The visitor centre looks out upon a portion of the battlefield, and it is thrilling to stand there imagining the history that was made there nearly 700 years ago.

Great place for a dog walk. You can do a fairly short loop, or extend it right around the estate…read more Definitely a hidden gem in the area that isn't too busy even on a nice day. They have ample parking and there is a museum too.

Well, finding this gem was such a surprise!…read more Founded in 1140 by David I and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Cambuskenneth Abbey was initially known as the Abbey of St Mary of Stirling. In 1326, the Abbey stood as Robert Bruce's parliament and the small graveyard is the burial place of James III and his queen, Margaret of Denmark. It's certainly a historical marvel and just a short walk away from the centre of Stirling. We didn't expect to stumble across it when our impromptu cycle trip headed out of town and into the beautiful Cambuskeneth. Since we didn't have our bike locks, we couldn't venture in for a closer look but I'd definitely love to come back and explore the grounds some more, as the Abbey is absolutely stunning. I'm surprised I'd not heard of the Abbey in my four years in Stirling. Do head out this way and take a peek at the historical Cambuskenneth Abbey; she's a real beauty!

This amazing and varied sculpture collection has been at the Falkirk Wheel since 2008. There are 13…read morealtogether, hand carved in granite by the sculptor, Ronald Rae, and represent 15 years of his work. They really are fascinating to see and are placed about the grassy areas not far from the Falkirk Wheel boat lift and the cafe. The largest piece is the 15 ton Tyger Tyger set on the hillside and it is animals which Ronald chiefly carves. My husband, who is blind, got a tremendous amount out of feeling these emotive statues. It's a free exhibition and often missed by people, I think, who just come to see the Wheel and don't wander a bit further away from the buildings! I'm not sure how long the exhibition will last I don't think it is necessarily permanent but it's certainly here until at least the end of the year. Ronald Rae was born in Ayr in 1946 and has been carving granite for 50 years using hand tools. He has sculptures in private and public collections in Britain and abroad. He also draws, paints and writes poetry.

How to describe the Carse of Lecropt? That, I'm not too sure. You can read more about the parish…read morehere: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lecropt. But really, Lecropt is somewhere you're going to want to delve headfirst into. To which I say, go for it. - The Carse of Lecropt has the power to drive your imagination crazy. I wanted to head down to Lecropt as soon as I laid eyes on the crooked road sign that pointed down the hill. It sounded mysterious, and something called me to it. So, finally, we ventured down. Mile after mile after mile after mile. We cycled it; one day not too far, and then another deeper into Lecropt because we were captivated with intrigue. And we still want to go further. The second time, we turned off and took the main road back to Stirling (passing by the David Stirling Memorial) but you could keep working your way through the off-road twists and turns of Lecropt. The hills don't make for any unbearable climbs and the descents are rewarding enough. We discovered some seriously interesting finds, and got some really cool photos from our trip. It's reminiscent of the kinds of places found-footage horror films are set; it's eerie, vast and parts of it are decaying and abandoned. It really feels like undiscovered territory. So, pick a good day, take some snacks and, if you're a Geocacher, there's plenty of caches to be found. It feels very much like a secret, and as much as I wish I could keep it one, the legend of Lecropt is too good to keep to myself.