Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most significant historical and architectural landmarks. It offers visitors stunning views, well-preserved structures, and a deep dive into Scottish history.
Website Ratings:
Google: 4.6/5
TripAdvisor: 4.5/5
Official Website: Stirling Castle | Historic Environment Scotland
Main Positive Reviews:
Amazing historical site with stunning views. The castle is well-preserved and the tour guides are knowledgeable.
Great experience. Loved the interactive exhibits and the kids had a fantastic time.
Beautiful architecture and rich history. A must-visit if you’re in Scotland.
Friendly staff and well-maintained grounds. Worth every penny.
Fantastic day out. The audio guide is very informative and the scenery is breathtaking.
Excellent. Free guided tours, but you just need to arrive early and request to join, using the Explorer Pass for Scotland (which we bought for two weeks) offers a significant discount, more than half off, and also reserves entry time, parking is very convenient.
Outstanding, helpful staff dressed in period costume; definitely the must-see castle in Scotland, even better than Edinburgh Castle. The tour guides are very enthusiastic! Other staff are great and knowledgeable! They even answered many of my questions.
Great place to visit. Rich in history and well-maintained. The staff are very friendly and great with kids.
The castle offers very interesting and fun interactive experiences in the dungeons.
There are live performances throughout the castle, and the views are stunning.
Stirling Castle is a gem. The history is fascinating and the views are incredible.
Loved the guided tour. The stories and historical context provided were excellent.
Very educational and engaging for all ages. Great for a family day out.
Beautifully restored castle with lots to see and do. Highly recommend.
Great value for money. The ticket includes access to several parts of the castle.
Main Negative Reviews:
Expensive entry fee for what’s on offer. Could have more exhibits.
Crowded and hard to enjoy the experience fully.
Not as impressive as other Scottish castles. Felt a bit overrated.
Limited accessibility for disabled visitors.
Someone said: The restoration work does not respect the nearly 1000-year history of the castle and makes it feel very 'fake,' like being in Disneyland.
The castle is only impressive from the outside. Inside, there are only two rooms with furniture and replicas, no interesting exhibits, no engaging displays. Part of the castle is a children's playground, combined with groups of people and screaming kids, no fun, waste of money.
One review mentioned: I recommend buying tickets online as it gets very crowded.
Quite beautiful from the outside, but the tickets are quite expensive and there is nothing inside.
Someone said: The only issue is parking. After entering the castle, we found how useless these audio guides initially were—rambling, lost in details, not answering basic questions, repeating information, and very unclear on any suggested routes.
A bit pricey for what’s there. Felt like there could be more to see.
Too many tourists, which made it hard to enjoy the exhibits.
Dogs are not allowed to into the castle, not dogs friendly!
Some of the interactive displays were not working.
Overall Analysis
Cost:
Adult: £17.50 per ticket
Child: £10.50 per ticket
Concession: £14 per ticket
Family Ticket (1 Adult + 2 Children): £34.50 per booking
Stirling Castle generally receives high praise for its historical significance, well-maintained grounds, and educational value. Most visitors find the experience worth the cost, appreciating the knowledgeable guides and interactive exhibits. However, some common criticisms include the high entry fee, crowded conditions, and occasional renovations that limit access.
Is it Worth Visiting:
Worth visiting. The castle’s rich history, beautiful landscapes, and engaging exhibits make it a valuable addition to any Scotland itinerary.
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