No staff on site except limited hours for check-in. Not…read moreresponsive to guests' concerns via email or phone. NO breakfast available, either included or for fee. Parking is non-existent when you need it. We had planned (and prepaid) to stay five nights. We couldn't stand the place and checked out after only two days and found other lodging. We complained to the clerk at reception first, and she said the manager would contact us. Two weeks later they still have not responded. This was the worst establishment I have ever visited and I wish someone had warned us. Note that the positive reviews were posted 8-10 years ago. We were there last month (August 2026). This place is clearly headed for bankruptcy.

I'll be honest, I was puzzled by the location of this boutique hotel and wine bar. Having lived in…read moreStirling for five and a bit years, I knew that Friars Street was the street which students ascended/descended to reach either the club on the street at the bottom or the club at the street at the top. After all, I was a Stirling student for four years - a reasonably well-behaved one! - and had seen firsthand the havoc that takes over Friars street in the wee hours. So, I was a little perplexed that they'd picked such a central location for the hotel, all things considered. And, not long after Friars Wynd had opened its doors, there was a deadly attack on the street. Jeez. Forgetting the location, Friars Wynd is completely different from its much-loved predecessor, The Junk Rooms. And they have done such a good job of making the place look so fresh and bright. There's a lovely bar in the corner and ample room for seating, and a selection of fresh cakes displayed by the window. You can tell instantly that Friars Wynd is worthy of the 'Boutique hotel' title because it feels so luxurious from the moment you step inside. And if the rooms are adequately soundproofed then I'm sure a night's stay would be a blissful one. I've had both lunch and drinks at Friars Wynd and I was impressed by both. The owner is a really lovely, passionate lady who, on both my visits, welcomed me and even remembered me the second time. Lunch was delicious and it was just the spot for the kind of evening drink we were after. My only comment would be that some background music would really do good in creating even more of an atmosphere, especially in the evenings. I do know that the owner is looking to branch out to live music and jazz would be just perfect for Friars Wynd! I do hope Friars Wynd grows, because they've got just the right attitude for a new business; in aiming to impress absolutely everyone that comes through their doors.

First, info on the tavern. It is a very charming, extremely cozy space at the base of Sterling…read moreCastle. The tavern has both indoor and outdoor seating. Good pub food, and a nice selection of beers on tap and lots of choices of alcohol. Second, the people. Upon leaving Stirling Castle, we had a fender bender on the road, near the pub. While waiting for the tow truck, which took hours, we went over to the pub to sit. When it was clear we were going to be stuck for awhile and were not getting to our destination of Inverness that evening, the women of The Portcullis sprang into action. Emma had already delivered food to us while we were sitting near the car. Then, Abbey, Hana and Kate took turns making phone calls to try to find us lodging for the night (as every place in the area from Stirling to Perth seems sold out at that late point in the evening.) Ultimately, our "Angels of The Portcullis" found us a place to stay. We will always be grateful to these amazing ladies!!! If you get a chance, stop by for a pint (and some fish & chips). Very highly recommended!!!

This place is a quaint little restaurant at the bottom of the ravine. The day was gorgeous…read more We chose to sit outside and share a glass of wine or two! It's located outside the Stirling Castle. Seating inside is limited. However, plenty of room outside. You have to go inside to order. I don't recall seeing any waitstaff outside. Food was not that good. I've had much better at various locations throughout Scotland. Easy come and go pub. Location is awesome. Service is just ok. September 2023

Quite pricey, but a really nice meal…read more We had a lovely evening out there. The menu was extensive, the food cooked to perfection and very tasty and the wine was good too. The staff were all very friendly and helpful, quick to notice if you needed anything without ever being obtrusive. They were also happy to explain any dish and to find out exactly what was safe for someone with food intolerances - they all seemed very knowledgeable about food intolerance, which is certainly not always the case when we go out! I'd happily recommend Scholars for a special evening out - but due to the prices it's not for every day - or even every month for us, especially in these credit crunch times. I'm already looking forward to my next meal there come on lottery

This was our 4th stay at the Stirling Highland over the last 9 years, and sadly it will be the…read morelast. Check In: Arrived early and waited in the lobby. Not sure if room was ready before 4:00, as no one let us know. Had to ask for a second key, when there were obviously two of us. Headed back to the desk for assistance with radiator; however, no one could explain how it worked. The Room: Nothing has been updated. Had to crawl behind a chair to plug in the phone, when they could have just replaced the wall lamps with ones with USB ports. Things also haven't been maintained (huge crack in bathroom floor tile, mold on ceiling molding, and missing and dirty caulk). The Restaurant/Bar: No food being served to hotel guests because of a private event Thursday evening with no notice at all. Had 2 bags of chips from the bar for dinner. Breakfast was passing at best (no scrambled eggs one morning and hard and gross the next). Filthy carpet, with stains and black stuff stuck to it. Lack of upkeep, and not too appetizing either. Finally: Our first night, we were treated to a small dog running down the hallway barking all the way, twice (about 2:00 a.m.). We were just a few rooms down the hall from Reception, so no idea why staff didn't address it. Then there was the dog in the hotel bar off leash that kept escaping out the door. If you're wondering if we have anything against dogs, we are the ones who kept an eye on her and put her back in the room and closed the door multiple times, so she wouldn't wander off. Dogs at hotel, fine; guidelines and staff follow through, needed. Would have loved to give this feedback to the hotel directly, but at the end of a 2-week trip, the Stirling Highland was the only business that didn't reach out for feedback. Is the Stirling Highland afraid of what people will say, or do they already know?

Beautiful location, shockingly bland food…read more We visited Portcullis in Stirling and, unfortunately, this ended up being the worst meal of our trip. I ordered a glass of wine that wasn't great, though my fiancé did enjoy his beer. He ordered the battered haddock with peas and a side salad. The fish was fried well with crisp breading, but it had almost no flavor. The tartar sauce helped, but the standout issue was the sides. The peas tasted exactly like a frozen bag that had been defrosted, rinsed, and put straight on the plate no butter, no seasoning, literally zero flavor. I didn't realize peas could be that bland. The coleslaw was tough to get through. It tasted like thick whipped mayonnaise with a bit of cabbage mixed in no acidity, no sweetness, just heavy and flat. The side salad did at least have fresh produce. I ordered a cheeseburger, which was extremely disappointing. The burger was dry, bland, and actually made my stomach upset I had to take an Alka-Seltzer afterward. The cheese was fine, but the meat had no seasoning at all. The fries were very oily and completely flavorless, though they did stay hot. Every sauce we used ketchup, mustard, creamy dressing came from packets. The packaged ketchup and mustard were fine because you can't mess those up, but the packet "creamy dressing" was essentially mayo with no flavor. Overall, this was the blandest, most forgettable meal of our entire trip. Stirling is beautiful and full of history, but the food here does not match the setting. I hope they improve, because the location truly deserves better.

Cosy setting. Food nothing special but expensive considering quality of food. No plan to go backread more

I booked a Premier plus room at this hotel for our 40th anniversary trip and I'm extremely…read moredisappointed by it and this entire hotel chain. Toilet seat is falling off. Lots of mold in the shower. The metal bar that braces the shower stall to the wall fell off while I was showering. Bedside table was covered with greasy smudges and fingerprints. Room was missing it's full complement of towels. The room key cards fail to work. The hotel is fully booked except for one very small room which they showed me but it was no better. The staff said there was nothing they could do for me as far as a refund and I should contact guest relations by phone but they are closed and their website says it may take 25 days to respond. Stay away from this hotel chain.

Really impressed very modern and very good facilities ideally located for exploring Stirling . Its…read morea Premier Inn so you know what you get . This one benefits from a large car park and its in a relatively friendly environment no busy roads :) . Plenty going on around .

Bed was hard and lumpy and they had flat hard pillows. There is water damage on the ceiling and…read morewalls and a leaking rad in the bathroom. The shower is on the small side, there is almost no water pressure, and hot water ran out after first person showered. There are no toiletries beyond hand wash, no coffee maker, but there is a kettle for making instant coffee and tea as well as a few complimentary snacks. There was a hairdryer, fan, iron, and ironing board in the cupboard. The 'included' breakfast is very basic and they offer you the option to pay more to order off of their 'other' breakfast menu. Overall this place feels like a restaurant renting out a couple of rooms and not an inn interested in welcoming guests and providing quality service.

I should have read the previous review before I booked here. I agree with the reviewer. The hotel…read moreis not great. It was worn and dirty. I recommend you look for someplace else.

Abbey Craig was my absolute favorite B&B on my recent trip to Scotland and rivaled that of hotels…read more Location: Within 15 minutes walking distance to Stirling Castle and City Centre; even less to the Wallace Monument Amenities: --Beautiful rooms with plush and comfortable beds and pillows --Flat Screen TVs with DVD Players (and DVDs in the Breakfast Room to borrow) --Extremely fast and reliable Wifi --Great list of things to do in the area upon arrival --Mini refrigerator in room --Hot tea tray with biscuits waiting for you --Neat showers with LED lights in them --Hair dryers for the ladies --Extremely accommodating hostess, Annette, who will accommodate your specific breakfast needs and wants Parking: Available on-site Annette could not have been friendlier or more accommodating. She was so friendly; I wish I had stayed here a couple extra nights!

1st time I stayed here, I was very impressed with the friendliness, the service, and the…read morecomfortable rooms. I'm now staying here for the 2nd time tonight, and I have to say that the service has become a little sloppy, and the wireless internet unreliable. Overall though, it's quite reasonably priced, and the rooms are still comfy. The hotel is in a great spot, with ample parking. I will stay again, but if the staff appear to be more sloppy next time, I shall be looking elsewhere. It will be a shame if it comes to that, as this is a nice little, comfortable hotel...

This restaurant was delicious! We decided to do a high tea experience. For the high tea, each…read moreperson picks a main meal and then they bring out scones with cream and jam, a selection of desserts, and tea. We tried the roast, steak pie, and Mac and cheese for our main meals. They were all delicious! The scones were also delicious. There was so much food, that we couldn't eat our dessert. They brought us a box so we could take our sweet treats home. We really enjoyed the food and service.

Everytime I visit Scotland, The Golden Lion becomes my 'home'. Our room, the breakfast and the…read moreservice ..... truly above the bar!! We loved it! Can not wait to visit again.