15 July 2016
Queue Busting Tips
Now that we’re at the height of season we thought you may appreciate a few insider tips as to how to beat the queues and make the most of your time at the castle.
Buy your tickets online ahead of time
You can buy your tickets from our online store in advance, just remember to print at home and bring your ticket along which will allow you easy access to the castle. You can also find out more about all our ticketing options so that you can be sure you are getting the best value ticket for you and your party. Alternatively you can purchase tickets form our Clan & Craft shop on the esplanade before you head in to the castle.
Park & ride
Be a back seat driver and enjoy the majestic views of our historic city. Our car park is normally full by lunch time so we would recommend using one of the two bus services which serve the castle. Castleview Park & Ride operates Monday to Saturday and drops off on the approach to the castle. Parking is free and the bus costs £1.20 return for an adult. On the other side of the city the new City Bus picks up from Stirling Bus Station which is also handy if you are travelling to the city by train. It comes up on to the castle esplanade and also visits the other attractions in the area including the Battle of Bannockburn, Wallace Monument and Blair Drummond Safari Park.
Plan your visit
As the saying goes “Fail to plan, plan to fail!” Visit our website where you can find out all about the castle from opening times and ticket prices to highlights and tours. We also have interest and time based itineraries which will hopefully offer some inspiration as well as a downloadable map of the site.
Bring a packed lunch
We have benches and picnic tables throughout the castle where you can rest, re-fuel and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. If the Unicorn Café is busy we have the Pentice Café located outside the Great Hall which also serves drinks and snacks and has a sheltered seating area – it’s actually a lovely spot to do some people watching and absorb the castle’s remarkable architecture. And on the castle esplanade our Clan & Craft shop has a tea and coffee machine where you can pick up a quick cuppa or for kids big and small enjoy a cone from our ice cream van.
Take your time
The castle has extended hours during the summer and is open 9.30am until 6pm 7 days a week so we would advise that you take your time and really see all the buildings, gardens and displays. Our guided tours run daily every hour so if you miss one, you won’t have long to wait for the next. Meet the characters of the royal court in the palace, drop in to the regimental museum and find out about the castle’s life as a military barracks or visit Argyll’s Lodging. Spend the day, get your money’s worth and glean every bit of insight from our staff who will happily regale you with tales of the castle’s colourful past.