Travelogue: Stirling, Scotland

2 - 4 November, 2024

After visiting the Kelpies, made my way to the B&B where I was staying in downtown Stirling. I parked the car, got checked in, and wandered around.

I’d been through Stirling once before, a quick stop on a longer day of driving, but this time around I had two days to explore. Stirling is a bit hilly, which is reminiscent of my home in Seattle. It being fall the leaves of the trees were in varying states of change.

The first night I grabbed a salad from M&S Food Hall. When you’re traveling on a budget, having these options is a great way to try to eat healthy but save a little cash too.

The second day I walked through the downtown area and up towards Stirling Castle. Starting with coffee at The Burgh Coffee House, and a sausage roll from Gregg’s.

Gregg’s is a great option for an inexpensive yet delicious breakfast on the go. They are everywhere, and a sausage roll is less than £2.

From there, I took my time wandering up the hill to the kirkyard and castle. Capturing details of blooms and leaves and broader landscapes from hills within the kirkyard, including a view of Stirling Castle.

On the path back down the hill, I remembered this remnant of Mar’s Wark. Built by John Erskine, in the mid to late 1500s. Reportedly damaged by canon fire during the Jacobite rebellion in the mid-1700s, much of it stands today. The wall, from one angle, could almost appear to be a full-standing building, but as you get closer, it feels more of a facade, just barely holding on. One of the elements I wonder about are the bars on the windows on what would be the bottom floor… what were those rooms used for?

On the last morning, before heading towards Alexandria, near Loch Lomond, I grabbed a cup of coffee from Chester’s Coffee House, a well-rated spot for great coffee, if you’re ever in Stirling.

Steps:

3 November, 14,009

4 November, 14,141