Day trips from Stirling and the Forth Valley

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Stirling and the Forth Valley is a great location in which to base yourselves. Edinburgh and Glasgow are within easy reach using public transport system whether by train or bus. Staying in the Stirling area will reduce your accommodation costs and remove the hassles of driving through both cities busy streets.

We have put together some Day Trips from the Stirling Area that you might like to consider.  We have highlighted some trips from the Stirling area that have proven very popular.

By car
St Andrews (read detailed comments under ‘By Bus’) is only 90 mins away following the A91 all the way.

Glasgow and Edinburgh (Read detailed comments under ‘By Train’) are both within 40 minutes drive down the motor ways, if you are brave enough to take on the city traffic and navigation.

The Trossachs (comments under ‘By Bus’) is only 45 minutes away. Ask for a free Scenic Guide from your accommodation provider.

Pitlochry (Read detailed comments under ‘By Train’) is another great trip away. We would recommend driving up the M9, then the A9 towards Perth, taking the A822 to Crieff. Then continue on the A822 through the ‘Sma Glen’ to Dunkeld (worth a visit in its own right) and on to Pitlochry. Allow 1h 45mins.

Oban and the West Coast make a great day out.
For a round trip, take the A84 and A85 to Crianlarich, then go south on the A82 to Tarbet, on Loch Lomond, where you see the northern end of this world famous loch.
At Tarbet, drive on A83 to Arrochar and up over the magnificent scenery of the ‘Rest and Be Thankful’ to Inveraray (well worth a stop), then follow the A819 to Dalmally. Here you can turn back to Stirling via Tyndrum or go to Oban on the A85 returning the same way.
Direct route to Oban is on the A84 and A85 to Crianlarich, then A82 to Tyndrum and A85 past Loch Awe direct to Oban. Allow 1h 45mins.

The Falkirk Wheel, is the only rotating boat lift in the world. Instead of the traditional locks to transfer the boat from one level to the next, this amazing feat of engineering does it. By car from Stirling, take the M9 toward Edinburgh, exit at Junction 6 to Falkirk then follow the signs to Camelon. Travel straight through Camelon until you reach the Rosebank Beefeater Roundabout. The Falkirk Wheel is signed by yellow AA signage from this point forward.

By train.
(Tel Enquiries: 08457 484950)

Regular trains services depart throughout the day (6am to 11pm), from Stirling and Bridge of Allan (free car parking) Railway Stations. Off Peak Day Return tickets are a great way to travel!

Edinburgh is just 50 minutes away by train. Trains run every 30 mins throughout the day - a very popular means to visit Edinburgh without the hassle of the traffic and the costly Edinburgh accommodation. A great way to take in Edinburgh Festival, have an evening meal and see a show.

Linlithgow Palace is 30 mins away from Stirling. Catch the Edinburgh (comments above) train then walk to the Palace, 5 mins from Linlithgow Station.

Glasgow is becoming increasingly popular as a city to visit, attracting wide acclaim for its architecture, vibrant city scene, shops and shows. It is just 40 minutes away by train. There are three trains hourly throughout the day. Enjoy the Glasgow Concert Hall, Celtic Connections Music Festival in January or visit Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Willow Tearooms and the Glasgow School of Art.

Loch Lomond in Scotland’s first National Park. Travel to Glasgow then catch the train to Balloch (two every hour from Glasgow) and you will find yourself on the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.

Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire, famous for its dam and fish ladder, is another great day out. Two distilleries are within easy walking distance of the town centre. Trains run hourly throughout the day via Perth to Inverness, stopping at Pitlochry.

The Falkirk Wheel (Read detailed comments under By Car). The most convenient stations for The Falkirk Wheel are Falkirk High & Camelon. From Falkirk High & Falkirk Grahamston (at Asda) you can pick up the First Bus, Service 3 (RED LINE) approximately every 20 minutes directly to The Wheel Site.

By Bus
(Tel Enquiries: 08705 505050)

Stirling’s superb bus station has buses running to almost every part of Scotland. Ask about ‘Day Return tickets’ and ‘Day tickets’ giving unlimited travel.

Edinburgh Buses operate hourly from 7am. The limited stop journey gets you there in 45 mins. (Read detailed comments under By Train).

Glasgow Buses operate every 30 mins from 7am, getting you there in 45 mins.(Read detailed comments under By Train)

St Andrews is a great destination with its ancient connections with golf, the Old Course and the Golf Museum. The historic sites and buildings are scattered throughout the town. Enjoy the wonderful beach! The first bus leaves at 7am, then every 2 hours; the journey takes 2 hours.

The Trossachs. It is here that Sir Walter Scott’s novels ‘Lady of the Lake’ and ‘Rob Roy’ brought the early tourists to Scotland in droves to take in the spectacular scenery. You can go by bus every hour to Callander from 7am You can catch the Trossachs Trundler Bus which will take you from Callander on a circular route through this beautiful part of Scotland stopping at all the main sites of interest. Take a trip on the 103 year old steam ship, ‘SS Sir Walter Scott’, on Loch Katrine.

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