Put an undeniably beautiful, fascinating and enthusiastically tourist-friendly area at the crossroads of Scotland and visitors will come from far and wide.  Add genuine world-class crowd-pullers such as the Castle, a gateway to Scotland's first National Park, great shopping and top entertainment, and it's small wonder Stirling is attracting increasing attention.  In the 7 years to 2000 visitor numbers more than doubled and shoppers trebled. More than a million tourists visit the city annually at present.

It's the diverse, imaginative heritage-shopping-recreation approach which has established Stirling as a local, national and international destination for all.  History buffs will be in their element discovering the Castle with its Great Hall - the largest and finest medieval banqueting hall in Scotland.  Other gems at the Top of the Town are Argyll's Lodgins, the most complete surviving example in Scotland of a 17th century town residence, with rooms decked out 1680 fashion, and the evocative Old Town Jail.

The Wallace Monument, Bannockburn Heritage Centre and Old Stirling Bridge are just some of the other unmissable attractions.

Stirling Castle

A visit to Stirling Castle is an essential part of any visit to centralScotland.

Sitting on an 80m high, volcanic plug, children will be fascinated by a visit to Scotland's finest castle. The Visitor Centre on the Esplanade has an educational and entertaining free video show which is screened throughout the day.

Stirling’s history is probably one of the most famous in the world, especially since the major motion picture ‘Braveheart’, starring Mel Gibson, was released. You can relive the movie experience with staged battle scenarios as well as other historical reconstructions laid on at the castle. These scenarios are on all through the summer as part of Stirling's tourist attractions.

Bannockburn

The National Trust for Scotland's heritage centre at Bannockburn marks the site of the Scottish army's victory over Edward II's army with a bronze equestrian statue of King Robert the Bruce by Pilkington Jackson. Lifelike displays feature scenes from Scotland's history; the Scottish nobles signing the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320; Robert the Bruce being crowned king of Scotland by Isabel of Fife at Scone; and William Wallace as a huge, chain-mailed figure wielding his famous sword.

HERITAGE CENTRE, SHOP and CAFÉ: Open 1 Feb to 31 Mar and 1 Nov to 24 Dec,
daily 10.30-4; 1 Apr to 31 Oct, daily, 10-5.30.

SITE: Open all year, daily.

Wallace Monument

Open all year, The National Wallace Monument is packed with fascinating exhibits and displays - so come and visit one of the country's most magnificent sights, and meet Scotland's national hero - William Wallace.

You can obtain your entrance ticket at The Pavilion - or at The Monument. Then hop aboard the free minibus shuttle which operates all day, or walk through the wooded slopes of Abbey Craig to reach The Monument.

• Re-live William Wallace's life and trial
• William Wallace's sword
• Building The Monument Exhibition
• Hall of Heroes
• Audio Tour (in 5 languages)
• Free Car Parking
• Shuttle Bus from the Car Park to the Monument
• Visitor Pavilion
• Coffee Shop, Souvenir and Gift Shops

Fantastic panoramic views