Stirling from Alloa
Stirling is a short train ride from Alloa. The Old Town climbs the hill to the castle, and the station and bus station sit at the bottom. The castle is about half a mile uphill from them. The castle car park is normally open only to coaches and to visitors who need accessible parking, so most people arrive by train or bus and walk.
Allow a full day if you add the castle. See our Stirling Castle page for tickets and hours, and see our Scotland day tours if you prefer a guided day out. This page covers everything else in and around the Old Town.
Getting to Stirling from Alloa
Two simple options.
Train
Alloa station has direct ScotRail trains to Stirling. Up to 2 trains an hour run, and the trip takes 8 minutes on average. Weekend timetables can differ, so check the day you travel.
Bus
Bus 51 connects Stirling and Alloa via Tullibody. Check the current timetable before you go.
For flights, airport buses and the Glasgow connection, read our getting there guide.
Our pick: a bike tour around Stirling
A guided ride around Stirling and its surroundings on a bike or e-bike, starting in Stirling.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Stirling tours and Scotland day trips
Guided days out to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and the Kelpies, with live prices and availability.
Church of the Holy Rude
Prices and hours for 2026.
The Church of the Holy Rude stands on St John Street in the Old Town. It is a standing church, not a castle hall, so do not confuse it with a room inside Stirling Castle. Tickets are available online or on site.
| Ticket | Price 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adult | £7.50 |
| Over 60 and full-time students | £6 |
| Children up to and including 16 | Free |
| Self-guided groups of 10 or more | £6 per person |
The church is open Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 18:00 and Sunday 12:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:30. A guided visit takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Guided visits run Monday to Saturday at 11:00, 14:00 and 16:30 and for Sundays at 14:00 and 16:30, but the times can vary, so check on the day. In winter, confirm the hours before you climb the hill. There is no parking at the church.
Stirling Old Bridge
Stirling Old Bridge crosses the Forth north of the centre, between Bridgehaugh Road and Laurencecroft Road. It is free, open all year and closed to cars. Only pedestrians and cyclists use it.
It makes a short walk away from the castle crowds. The stone arches are easy to see from the banks of the river.
Dunblane Cathedral
A separate trip from Stirling.
Dunblane Cathedral is a worship church that you can visit free of charge, and donations are welcome. Treat it as its own trip and not as part of the Old Town walk. Opening hours depend on the season.
| Period | Monday to Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 30 September | 10:00–16:30 | 14:00–16:30 |
| 1 October to 31 March | 10:00–15:30 | Closed |
The cathedral closes for lunch from 12:30 to 13:30, and last entry is 30 minutes before closing. It is closed from 25 December to 4 January. The West Window Gallery and parts of the graveyard are not open, and private services can change the times. Plan a visit around that rather than assuming a fixed time.
Bannockburn: grounds only for now
What is open in 2026.
Bannockburn is the memorial to the 1314 battle, with a statue of Robert the Bruce and open grounds. The visitor centre has been closed since mid-September 2026 for a rebuild. Reopening is expected around mid-2028. The grounds stay accessible, but the Rotunda may be restricted for a while, and the old exhibition is not available. Count it as a short outdoor stop, not a half-day visit.
Stirling Castle
Tickets, opening hours and the guided tours.
Wallace Monument
246 steps up a spiral stair to the views.
Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies
Boat lift and horse-head sculptures.
Edinburgh also fits an easy day: see day trips from Edinburgh.
A simple day in Stirling
One way to fit the stops together.
Morning: the Old Town
Take the train from Alloa and walk uphill. Visit the Church of the Holy Rude on St John Street on the way to the castle, and check the guided visit times if you want one.
Midday: the castle
Give the castle its own block of time. Entry is online with a date and time slot, and the last entry is one hour before closing.
Afternoon: the Old Bridge
Walk to the Old Bridge north of the centre, free and open all year, and then head back to the station.
Another day: Dunblane
Treat Dunblane Cathedral as a second trip. Winter hours are shorter and it is closed on Sundays from 1 October to 31 March.
Stirling: frequently asked questions
How far is Stirling from Alloa?
By train the trip takes 8 minutes on average. Bus 51 also runs between the two via Tullibody. Check the timetable for the day you travel.
Is Stirling Old Bridge free?
Yes. It is free, open all year and open only to pedestrians and cyclists.
How much is the Church of the Holy Rude in 2026?
Adults pay £7.50. People over 60 and full-time students pay £6, and children up to and including 16 are free. Groups of 10 or more who guide themselves pay £6 per person.
Is Dunblane Cathedral free?
Yes, entry is free and donations are welcome. It is a working church, so private services can change the visiting times. It is closed on Sundays from 1 October to 31 March.
Can I visit the Bannockburn exhibition?
Not at the moment. The visitor centre is closed for a rebuild until about mid-2028. The grounds and the Robert the Bruce statue remain accessible.
Is this the official Stirling guide?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not the website of Historic Environment Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland or any council, and it is not connected to a tour operator or hotel.