Alva Highland Games

Jul 2010 (annual)

The Alva Highland Games has been taking place since the 19th century and in 2006 celebrated its 150th gathering. It continues to be characterised by sports, including the "heavy" events, and the celebration of local culture - from whisky to bagpipes and tartans.

Stirling Highland Games

Jul 2010 (annual)

Although a relative youngster among its fellow Highland gatherings - it was first held in 1985 - the Stirling Games has gone from strength to strength and now attracts well over 5000 spectators from all over the globe to the Bannockburn Heritage Centre.

Bridge of Allan Highland Games

Aug 2010 (annual)

The Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, hosts its annual games every August. Clansmen gather to compete in various strength-testing events, known as the "heavy" sports, while the Scottish dancing and piping competitions are more genteel (if still fairly frenetic).

Stirling Hogmanay

Dec 2010 (annual)

The esplanade of Stirling Castle is the site for the town's biggest Hogmanay celebrations.As usual there is also traditional bagpiping, provided by the Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band, and a firework display high above the castle at midnight.

Stirling Castle

Daily

Perched high on an old volcanic outcrop, dominating the town below, Stirling Castle dates back to the early 12th century and is Scotland's grandest castle. Visit the Great Hall, the Renaissance Royal Palace and the Chapel Royal, which features a 17th-century fresco.

New Lanark Visitor Centre

Daily

UNESCO World Heritage Site New Lanark is something of a living museum. The former industrial community, famous for its utopian socialist ideal, is now home to around 250 residents and a Visitor Centre that details the village's fascinating history.

Bannockburn Heritage Centre

Daily

Celebrating Robert the Bruce's victory over Edward II's English armies at Bannockburn, the Bannockburn Heritage Centre, run by the National Trust for Scotland, sits close to the actual battle site just south of Stirling.

The Falkirk Wheel

Daily

The world's first rotating boat lift, The Falkirk Wheel is truly an engineering masterpiece. Part sculpture, part canal lock, the wheel takes the same amount of power as eight boiling kettles to sweep canal boats gracefully round.

National Wallace Monument

Daily

Built on the site of a Pictish hill fort, the National Wallace Monument - and particularly Stirling Bridge which marked William Wallace's first great defeat of the English in 1297 - was the result of resurgent Scottish nationalism in the mid-1800s. The tower, with 246 steps up to the tower top, 220 feet above ground, was completed in 1869 with a later addition, the Hall of Heroes, looking to other Scottish heroes for inspiration.

Smith Art Gallery & Museum

Daily; not Mon

With one of Scotland's most important historical collections, the core of Stirling's Smith Art Gallery & Museum is the fine art bequeathed it in the legacy of Thomas Stuart Smith (1814-1869). In its own grounds, nestling under Stirling Castle, the gallery was designed in the Italianate style by John Lessels and opened its doors in 1874. It now boasts a major exhibition, The Stirling Story.

Bannockburn Heritage Centre

Daily

Celebrating Robert the Bruce's victory over Edward II's English armies at Bannockburn, the Bannockburn Heritage Centre, run by the National Trust for Scotland, sits close to the actual battle site just south of Stirling.

The Falkirk Wheel

Daily

The world's first rotating boat lift, The Falkirk Wheel is truly an engineering masterpiece. Part sculpture, part canal lock, the wheel takes the same amount of power as eight boiling kettles to sweep canal boats gracefully round.

Dhanakosa Buddhist Centre

Daily

Quieten the mind and pick up a new skill in one fell swoop at one of Scotland's many retreat hideaways. The Dhanakosa Centre is Buddhist in nature, but there's no need to be Buddhist to enjoy it.

Smith Art Gallery & Museum

Daily; not Mon

With one of Scotland's most important historical collections, the core of Stirling's Smith Art Gallery & Museum is the fine art bequeathed it in the legacy of Thomas Stuart Smith (1814-1869). In its own grounds, nestling under Stirling Castle, the gallery was designed in the Italianate style by John Lessels and opened its doors in 1874. It now boasts a major exhibition, The Stirling Story.

Stirling Castle

Daily

Perched high on an old volcanic outcrop, dominating the town below, Stirling Castle dates back to the early 12th century and is Scotland's grandest castle. Visit the Great Hall, the Renaissance Royal Palace and the Chapel Royal, which features a 17th-century fresco.

National Wallace Monument

Daily

Built on the site of a Pictish hill fort, the National Wallace Monument - and particularly Stirling Bridge which marked William Wallace's first great defeat of the English in 1297 - was the result of resurgent Scottish nationalism in the mid-1800s. The tower, with 246 steps up to the tower top, 220 feet above ground, was completed in 1869 with a later addition, the Hall of Heroes, looking to other Scottish heroes for inspiration.

New Lanark Visitor Centre

Daily

UNESCO World Heritage Site New Lanark is something of a living museum. The former industrial community, famous for its utopian socialist ideal, is now home to around 250 residents and a Visitor Centre that details the village's fascinating history.

No monthly events available.

Stirling Hogmanay

Dec 2010 (annual)

The esplanade of Stirling Castle is the site for the town's biggest Hogmanay celebrations.As usual there is also traditional bagpiping, provided by the Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band, and a firework display high above the castle at midnight.

Stirling Highland Games

Jul 2010 (annual)

Although a relative youngster among its fellow Highland gatherings - it was first held in 1985 - the Stirling Games has gone from strength to strength and now attracts well over 5000 spectators from all over the globe to the Bannockburn Heritage Centre.

Scottish Antique & Arts Centre Christmas Shop

Nov 2010 (annual)

Why not stay warm and dry this winter while you hunt for the unique Christmas gift and join in the Scottish Antique & Arts Centre Christmas Shop at the Scottish Antique & Arts Centres in Abernyte and Doune.

Bridge of Allan Highland Games

Aug 2010 (annual)

The Bridge of Allan, near Stirling, hosts its annual games every August. Clansmen gather to compete in various strength-testing events, known as the "heavy" sports, while the Scottish dancing and piping competitions are more genteel (if still fairly frenetic).

Alva Highland Games

Jul 2010 (annual)

The Alva Highland Games has been taking place since the 19th century and in 2006 celebrated its 150th gathering. It continues to be characterised by sports, including the "heavy" events, and the celebration of local culture - from whisky to bagpipes and tartans.

No biennial events available.