It's the 5th day up here in Scotland and I plan for day's break: I've put in some serious miles since Saturday but the weather today is not compliant. Seriously, it's just too nice to stay in. Nevertheless, I will take that break and wait till afternoon.
It's gone 2 pm before we leave and I have a 45-minute trip to Scotland's former capital, Stirling. One again, I've done some research and ere on caution arriving at Castleview Park & Ride. For just £2 into the city it makes sense. A minibus duly arrives and the P2 service is soon in the city. This means I can add another objective for this tour as I make my way to the railway station.
Stirling Railway Station is busy, handling trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh and some local trains, but it also handles long distance trains heading north from Glasgow. There are no special trains due here, but ScotRail still operates vintage Class 43 HSTs, soon to be withdrawn after lengthy service. I spend about 45 minutes here and am not disappointed. From the station right in the city, there is one attraction I must get up close and cozy to and we take a stiff walk up to Stirling Castle. The castle can be seen on a hill above the town from miles away. From the castle there are gorgeous views of the city below and beyond. There are no plans to go into the castle as we walk around the precinct where I stumble across the Boer War Memorial to the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders.
Stirling Castle is one of the largest and most historically and architecturally important castles in Scotland. The castle sits atop an intrusive crag, which forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. Its strategic location, guarding what was, until the 1890s, the farthest downstream crossing of the River Forth, has made it an important fortification in the region from the earliest times. It was also used as a royal residence prior to the Union with England.
Most of the principal buildings of the castle date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. A few structures remain from the fourteenth century, while the outer defenses fronting the town date from the early eighteenth century.
We head back down into the city passing a number of historic buildings. One of note is the half-timbered 55 Baker Street designed by John Allen. On this pleasant June day, the local shops, pubs and restaurants are doing good trade as folk sit around outside enjoying the sunshine. We're now back at the bus stop waiting for the last bus of the day to Castleview.
We head back to Tigh Mor adding more fuel and making an impromptu stop at Trossachs Woolen Mill. Here is an outlet for local products to buy as souvenirs. There is also the chance to see Hamish and Co., local highland cattle. We arrive back quite late, but that was expected after the late start. There are just two full days left here and one important city to visit, but which day we go depends on the weather. As a final chore, I check out what more there is to do in Stirling which I can fit in later.

Source: Visit