Discover Stirling by Motorhome : Complete Guide
Introduction
Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure through Stirling, Scotland’s fascinating city. In this comprehensive travel guide, we’ll introduce you to Stirling by motorhome, sharing with you its rich and captivating history, its climate, and our tips for traveling at the best time of year. We’ll also give you budget ideas, the best places to park and sleep, and much more. Whether you’re an experienced traveler or a beginner, this RoadTrip to Stirling travel guide is for you.
What is Stirling in Scotland?
History of Stirling
We’re going to tell you the story of Stirling, a fascinating town in Scotland. Stirling is a town steeped in history, known as the site of the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge. This battle marked a turning point in the 13th-century Scottish War of Independence, when Scottish forces, though vastly outnumbered, succeeded in defeating the English army.
Stirling is also known for its rich architectural heritage, with sites such as Stirling Castle and the Old Town, living witnesses to its historic past. The castle, in particular, is one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland, both in terms of its physical size and its historical role.
Geographical location
As for Stirling’s location, it is strategically situated in the heart of Scotland. It is often described as the “bridge” between the southern lowlands and the northern highlands of Scotland. This position has made Stirling a key crossing point and an important center for trade and politics throughout history. It is also located 45 minutes from the industrial town of Motherwell which we were also able to visit!
How to get to Stirling
How to get to Stirling
To get to Stirling by plane, we have several options. We can fly from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Glasgow, which is the nearest airport to Stirling. The flight lasts about 1h 45m. Several airlines, including Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, KLM and others, offer this route. Once in Glasgow, we can take a train to Stirling.
To get to Stirling by train, we can leave from Paris Nord and arrive in Stirling via London Kings Cross and Edinburgh. The journey takes about 9h 25m. It is operated by RATP Metro, Eurostar, LNER and others. There are around 63 trains running every week, but timetables may vary at weekends and on public holidays.
To get to Stirling by car or motorhome from France, we can drive to Calais, take the ferry to Dover, then drive on to Stirling. Another option is to drive to Calais-Fréthun, take the Eurotunnel to Folkestone, then drive to Stirling. The choice depends on our preferences and itinerary.
Climate: When to visit Stirling by motorhome?
Stirling enjoys an oceanic climate, which is a temperate type of climate. More precisely, it is a temperate-summer oceanic climate (Cfb). The maximum temperature in Stirling averages 12°C over the year (from 5°C in January to 18°C in July). It rains 1013mm over the year, with a minimum of 52mm in April and a maximum of 105mm in October.
| Month | Average temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Weather | Opinions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1°/5° | 89mm | 🌧️ | Very unfavorable |
| February | 2°/6° | 86mm | 🌧️ | Very unfavorable |
| March | 3°/8° | 69mm | 🌧️ | Very unfavorable |
| April | 4°/11° | 52mm | 🌦️ | Very unfavorable |
| May | 8°/14° | 70mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| June | 11°/17° | 79mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| July | 13°/18° | 97mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| August | 11°/18° | 104mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| September | 9°/16° | 76mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| October | 7°/12° | 105mm | 🌧️ | Unfavorable |
| November | 4°/8° | 95mm | 🌧️ | Very unfavorable |
| December | 2°/6° | 95mm | 🌧️ | Very unfavorable |
We recommend that you visit Stirling from May to September. Although the weather is judged to be “unfavorable” during this period, it is the time of year when the climate is at its mildest. Temperatures are milder and rainfall is relatively low. This is the best time to enjoy the city and its surroundings.
We did our Scottish RoadTrip during the period July to August 2022. It was a very hot year for the whole country, indeed for the whole of Europe. Our visit to Stirling was a mixture of sunshine and light rain!
Sleeping spots and RV parks in Stirling
Here is the final list of the 5 best places to sleep in a motorhome in Stirling, Scotland:
- 📍🥇 Causewayhead Road: This spot offers a breathtaking view of the Wallace monument. It is located in a quiet residential area, close to numerous shops and restaurants. It’s an ideal place to spend the night and explore the city of Stirling.
- 📍🥈 Ballengeich Pass: Located close to Stirling Castle, this spot offers easy access to one of the city’s main attractions. Parking is free and unlimited at night and on Sundays.
- 📍🥉 King’s Park Rd: This park with a golf course, children’s playground and public toilets is a great place to spend the day. Parking is free and the park is open all year round.
- 📍 Dumbarton Road: This parking lot along the street is wide enough for a motorhome. It’s limited to 3 hours during the day, which is enough time to visit the castle. There is no time limit at night.
- 📍 Raploch Road: Although this location has no comments or ratings, it offers easy access to the city of Stirling and its many attractions.
These locations all offer parking options for motorhomes, making them ideal choices for those wishing to explore Stirling and the surrounding area.
Video of our citytrip
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Where and what to eat in Stirling
In Stirling, we’re spoiled with a range of culinary choices, from exciting street food to five-star dining experiences. Whether you’re looking for traditional Scottish dishes or vegan delights, Stirling has something to satisfy every palate.
Stirling’s restaurants
- 🍽️ Brea Scottish Restaurant: An award-winning restaurant offering an exceptional contemporary dining experience.
- 🍽️ Cooks of Stirling: A place that offers boutique-style rooms and exceptional service.
- 🍽️ Friars Wynd Hotel and Wine Bar: A newly refurbished boutique hotel located in Stirling’s city center.
- 🍽️ Hotel Colessio: A boutique hotel in the heart of Stirling, close to the famous Stirling Castle.
- 🍽️ The Birds and Bees: An award-winning family bar and bistro, just a stone’s throw from Stirling town center.
Stirling’s specialities
In Stirling, we can enjoy a delicious combination of Austrian and Scottish dishes at Hermann’s restaurant. For lovers of homemade soup, Darnley’s Coffee House is the place to go. The Tolbooth Café Bar, located at the top of the town, focuses on local suppliers and offers a lunch menu as well as an evening menu when there are concerts on site.
Travel budget for a RoadTrip to Stirling
The currency used in Scotland is the pound sterling (GBP). The cost of living in Scotland is 7.5% lower than in France, and local purchasing power is 5.7% higher. When traveling, plan on a local budget of at least €108 per person per day.
– Meal in a mid-range restaurant: €29(+16% on 🇫🇷)
– Fast-food menu: €7(-23% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Local beer (50 cl draught): €4.5(-25% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Single public transport ticket: €2.9(+76% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Monthly public transport pass: €76(+51% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Unleaded petrol (1 liter): €1.65(+6% on 🇫🇷)
– Budget hotel (double room): €68(+18% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Mid-range hotel (double room): €104(+25% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Top-of-the-range hotel (double room): €173(-38% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or equivalent): €68(-16% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Summer dress in a major retailer (Zara, H&M…): €34(-3% compared to 🇫🇷)
– Pair of sports shoes: €73(-13% compared with 🇫🇷)
We talked about it in our Glasgow Guide, but the UK can seem a little more expensive for us French Europeans. We found that the food itself was quite expensive, as were the activities. Beer, on the other hand, is very, very cheap, as is cider.
If you’re interested in buying alcohol, be aware that sales are prohibited at certain times of the day, early in the morning and late at night.
🇫🇷🇳🇱🏴🇮🇹 Learn the language of this country before your stay easily! 🇮🇹
We frequently use the Mondly app to improve our practice of the countries we visit 🌍. It allows you to learn in a fun way with a gamification system and gradual difficulty. You want to learn French, Portuguese, Italian and communicate during your stay, no problem the application is divided into themes.
There are many Mondly promotions throughout the year so do not hesitate to look at this page for Mondly special offers🎁
What to do in Stirling
Here is a list of things to do in Glasgow by theme
- Stroll through Stirling’s picturesque streets, discovering its unique architecture and small buildings.
- Visit Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally.
- Discover the Old Stirling Bridge, symbolic of Scotland’s wars of independence.
- Visit Stirling Castle, a historic castle that played a pivotal role in Scottish history.
- Discover the Wallace Monument, dedicated to William Wallace, Scotland’s national hero.
- Explore the Battle of Bannockburn Experience, a place that transports you to another era of medieval combat.
- Visit the Stirling Smith Art Gallery & Museum, a free museum housing many interesting artifacts, including the world’s oldest football.
- Take a hike to Go Ape in Aberfoyle, where you can admire the magnificent Queen Elizabeth Forest Park from a unique vantage point.
- Pony trekking at Rednock Farm, an ideal activity for families and beginners.
- Explore the Scottish countryside on a Segway, a fun and eco-friendly way to discover the Stirling countryside.
- Take part in the Stirling Old Town Tours, a time-travel experience that takes you through the strangest, most wonderful and naughty corners of the town. These tours are led by talented local guides and are a memorable blend of history, humor, drama and storytelling.
Finally, a regular event held in Stirling is the Stirling Farmers’ Market. This market takes place on the second Saturday of every month on Port Street. It’s a great opportunity to discover local products and support local producers. The market offers a wide variety of products, from fresh fruit and vegetables to home-baked goods, quality meats and artisan cheeses. It’s an event not to be missed if you’re in Stirling during this period.
Conclusion: Why visit or return to Stirling?
After exploring Stirling, we were amazed by its rich historical and architectural heritage. Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument are living testimonies to its historic past, and made a particularly strong impression on us. However, the climate can be a challenge, especially outside the May-September period. Despite this, Stirling has managed to charm us with its unique atmosphere and picturesque landscapes. We hope this RoadTrip to Stirling travel guide will help you plan your own adventure and discover the hidden treasures of this fascinating city.
FAQ
Stirling is a fascinating town in Scotland, known for its rich historical and architectural heritage. It is famous for the Battle of Stirling Bridge, which marked a turning point in the Scottish War of Independence in the 13th century. You can visit sites such as Stirling Castle and the Old Town.
You have several options for getting to Stirling. You can fly from Paris Charles de Gaulle to Glasgow, which is the nearest airport to Stirling. Once in Glasgow, you can take a train to Stirling. If you prefer to travel by train, you can leave from Paris Nord and reach Stirling via London Kings Cross and Edinburgh. If you’re traveling by car or motorhome, you can drive to Calais, take the ferry to Dover, then drive on to Stirling.
Stirling enjoys a temperate oceanic climate. The maximum temperature in Stirling averages 12°C over the year. It rains 1013mm over the year, with a minimum of 52mm in April and a maximum of 105mm in October. We recommend that you visit Stirling from May to September. Although the weather is judged to be “unfavorable” during this period, it is the time of year when the climate is at its mildest.
There are several places to sleep in your motorhome in Stirling. Choose from Causewayhead Road, Ballengeich Pass, King’s Park Rd, Dumbarton Road and Raploch Road. These locations all offer parking options for motorhomes, making them ideal choices for those wishing to explore Stirling and the surrounding area.
In Stirling, you can enjoy a variety of activities. You can stroll Stirling’s picturesque streets, visit Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, discover the Old Stirling Bridge, hike Go Ape in Aberfoyle, go pony trekking at Rednock Farm, explore the Scottish countryside on a Segway, and take part in the Stirling Old Town Tours.
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