A Stirling Time!

Visit the castle to take in pure history, great exhibitions, and loads of people of all ages.

Stirling has a wealth of small independent boutiques and stores - whether you are a spender or a window-shopper, Stirling is paradise.

Enjoy a pint at Nicky Tam's Bar and Bothy, a real gem for alternative music lovers, real ale drinkers, and those just looking for somewhere quirky.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Stirling is easily negotiated on foot, although it might be a good idea to get the local bus service (to the university) out to the castle. For local towns of interest, the train service to/from Edinburgh covers the area well.

This accommodation comprises a handful of small to medium-sized rooms above a pub of the same name. On arrival, you present yourself at the bar and are given two keys - one for your room and one for the front door, which is found at the side of the pub. No one takes you to the room, and no one tells you what time or where breakfast is served.

The corridors and staircases are quite bare and the carpets a little shabby, but the rooms are more appealing, if a little unfinished in places (some of the tiling in our en suite shower room was unfinished).

The bed, though, was comfortable, and the bedding was nicely fresh although there wasn't much room for any other furniture. It may be churlish to comment on the tiny wardrobe hiding in the corner since we were only there for one night (but it was miniscule, and had to be given the amount of room available).

There was quite a bit of noise from other guests on the stairs and in the corridors; most of the other guests seemed to be construction workers who got up early in the morning and made their presence known.

The room also had tea- and coffee-making facilities and a colour television. Our room was at the back and had a lovely view over the terraced gardens.

Breakfast was included in the price which works out at around £20 - 22 per person, per night (depending on whether single or double)(family rooms are also available). The breakfast is cooked to order and could have been a bit more generous, although you could also fill up with cereal and toast. The dining room is small, and the tables are quite close together, so you have to be willing to share your secrets with all the other guests or eat breakfast in silence.

All this taken into account, the Cross Keys are still good value and are enhanced by their good location, close to the bus and train stations (yet far enough away to be quiet), near to restaurants for evening meals, in a location handy for the towns major attractions and with a good bar right under your feet. It may be, though, that family rooms could be a tight squeeze.

Alexander the Great is a terrific Greek restaurant in the heart of historic Stirling. It is one big room, tastefully decorated with some monor nods to Greek style with sunny yellow walls, a painted frieze of a rural Greek scene and plants trailing over tasteful faux columns. Service is excellent - friendly and very knowledgeable. We were in two minds about what to order but the helpful waitress made sure we didn't order too much, recommending the full meze. We were given a bowl of mixed olives as soon as we arrived and nibbled on these as we looked at the menu and chose some wine, settling for the house Greek red - excellent value at about £14. First they brought the vegetarian starters - stuffed vine leaves, a slab of tasty feta cheese, tzatziki, taramasalata and humus and lovely warm pitta bread. Then came the fish starters - prawns, squid, small fried fish. Then an enormous Greek salad with delicious crisp ingredients and a dressing made in heaven. Then came small samples of the meat dishes since my partner eats fish but no meat - I was given miniature bowls of kleftika and stifado which came in rich sauces. Finally - when we could barely move, came the main fish dishes - big wedges of mullet, tuna fish and more. We passed on dessert unable to move and feeling rather guilty for having put so much food in! What can I say? At about £30 for two people this was sensational value. All the food was delicious, I really could not fault it at all. Recommended 100% for service, quality and value. No wonder they call it Alexander the GREAT!

Popular with students but by no means exclusive, Nicky Tams Bar and Bothy looks like a traditional little place but, in reality, is actually cool and surprising. It is housed in an old building which - for several reasons - is alleged to be haunted. Inside it is full of dark timber and is a really cosy affair with real fires burning in winter. The place is quite small but there is an upstairs too. But Nicky Tams has a great jukebox with music spanning all genres and plays host to live music on Wednesday nights and Saturdays from 4 to 6pm - local bands and artists. It also has a well regarded quiz night (alas I have not been to this) and it serves good value meals each day between 12 and 2.30pm - it has the usual staples like chili and pies but it also has a few traditional Scots dishes like Scotch broth and haggis and neaps. Beers are varied with a couple of cask ales and some interesting international bottled beers. Prices are reasonable for the town. The staff are friendly and the clientele don't seem to have any problem with strangers - unlike some pubs in town. A "bothy" is a small building, usually somewhere remote where one might seek shelter - Nicky Tams is the perfect place - a warm and cosy little pub where you're made to feel welcome