Stirling area in Scotland

[TallulahMazda]

Heading up for 2 weeks in august: have booked castle, safari park and some bits around Loch Lomond. Are there any other recommendations for activities? Restaurants or just things to do in general in that area. 4 children aged from 11-17.

You can zip over to Edinburgh or Linlithgow for the day. Also the Falkirk wheel (if you are into engineering)

Kelpies
Its free to walk round Helix park and see these magnificant sculptures, though there was a tour which took you inside
www.thehelix.co.uk/kelpies-tour/

you wont be far from the Roman Antonine wall
www.antoninewall.org/visiting-the-wall

Linlithgow Palace is nearby but I think its currently closed but theres a nice walk around the loch

www.yourstirling.com/see-do/stirling-top-attractions/

That's great thank you. Have also figured in the kelpies and wheel.

Callander is good for a day out.

Wallace Monument could be good.

Stirling is very near Bridge of Allan which is a nice little place with a great fish and chip shop which also sells amazing ice cream!

Train to Edinburgh.

Loch leven castle or lake of menteith are both boat trips. Castle Rednock pony trekking. The bass rock, lovely beaches round east Lothian and Fife. St Andrews. Stirling is really Central so tonnes of stuff in Scotland within 45 minutes/ an hour. Are you bringing bikes? Lots of good cycling. Loch Katrine is good for hiring bikes, even has tandoms.
Pentland Hills for walking, or Ochil Hills. Dollar with Castle Campbell. Can you tell I live near Stirling?? I can keep going!

www.amf-bowling.co.uk/stirling bowling alley

theres a Vue cinema with Nados , Frankie and Bennys in Forsthside Way

Ive had a really nice meal a few years ago in corrieris.co.uk/our-menu/

www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/andy-scott-sculpture-trail-p669151

stirlingheritagewalks.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/carvings-pdf.pdf

www.stir.ac.uk/about/art-collection/art-and-artists/the-sculpture-trail/

Culross, pretty, ancient town with lots of historical houses, salt pans etc. Dunfermline Abbey for the history ( less pretty town) lots of more unusual bits of Edinburgh, Dean Village, crammond. Crieff ( also pony trekking) Walk around the walls in Stirling, impressive old cemetery above the town.

There's a Go Ape at Aberfoyle and I'm sure there will be bike hire in the Queen Elizabeth forest.
Day trip to Edinburgh or Glasgow (I'd get the train or park & ride).
Day trip to St Andrews.
Scottish deer centre is meant to be a good day out, tickets are sometimes available on groupon.
www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ for walking routes

Any other restaurant or nice pub recommendations please? We're also holidaying in Stirling in August.

@Hopdathelf

Callander is good for a day out.

Although take all your savings, they know how to charge in the shops there. They definitely price for tourists.

@horseymum I think the boat trip on Lake of Menteith isn’t running ;although this might change) Op do you Historic Scotland membership or English Heritage as that makes the castle free?

Thank you all this is fab. Can I ask more re Callendar? Google isnt throwing much up there to do. Any recommendations for there in particular.

Mhor Bakery in Callander for excellent sandwiches and cake, not cheap but very good.

Have a look here.

Days Out recommendations - Central Belt, 12 & 14yo www.mumsnet.com/Talk/scotsnet/4283305-Days-Out-recommendations-Central-Belt-12-14yo

You are all marvellous thank you

Walk to the waterfall in Callander, Bracklin falls. It’s a steep climb at some points but very lovely.

What do they kids like doing? There’s also a bowling alley in Stirling (for when it’s a bit wet)

Oh - I had a ‘treasure hunt’ type map that we did of Stirling a way back. There's a website and you download all the clues and a map and find your way around. It was quite fun!

Children are relatively easy to please in all honesty which is good. Some excellent suggestion on here. We don't have national trust membership etc so will figure all this into any costs.

Of you check out the NTS site it may work our cheaper to buy an annual pass (depends where you go) also historic Scotland (I think they still do X number of days passes). Edinburgh castle is nice.

A day trip to Fife would be nice, go to Pittenweem and Anstruther or Elie, stopping off at Dollar, Cupar or Falkland for coffee and cakes or lunch (recommend Pillars of Hercules in Falkland), then beach fun and fish and chips in Anstruther for tea.

The quick version would be Culross followed by Aberdour.

If you do go to the East Neuk, Scotlands Secret Bunker is interesting if a bit spooky and Kellie Castle is beautiful.

The beach at Elie is a gorgeous huge sweep of sand. There is a water sport centre too for paddle boarding type activity. The Ship has a lovely beer garden just above the beach. www.shipinn.scot

We enjoyed a picnic in Kings Park, Stirling and the castle looked interesting too.

Comrie and Crieff would be a good afternoon out, lots of activities at Crieff Hydro.