Stirling Movie Map: build your own film location holiday!

by | Sep 26, 2019 | Blog

Have you ever dreamed of organising a location trip to Scotland to visit the places where your favourite film or TV show was filmed? Or are you a local who wonders which movies or shows have been made near you and would like to take a selfie at the very spot where Chris Pine once stood? Well now you can!

Stirling movie map launch
Stuart Oliver, Stirling Council’s Senior Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; Cllr Evelyn Tweed; Audrey Jones, Head of New Business at Historic Environment Scotland (HES); Shona Menzies from HES at Doune Castle.
Diana Gabaldon and Ronald D Moore at the NY premier of Outlander
Author Diana Gabaldon and Ronald D. Moore at the New York premiere of Outlander
Stirling Council has recently launched the Stirling Film Location Map – a handy route planner for visitors and locals alike, with suggested itineraries and brilliant facts about the top Stirling locations that have hit our screens.

The Outlander effect

Amongst these are Doune Castle, which appears as Castle Leoch in the TV series Outlander and is also the original Winterfell in the pilot episode of Game of Thrones. Its appearance in these series has resulted in a huge surge of visits to the castle. Coined ‘The Outlander Effect’ – the castle has seen an amazing 226.5% increase in footfall since the Outlander series began.

A sought-after location

Other film locations you’ll find in the leaflet include Stirling Castle, Deanston Distillery, Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, Loch Katrine, The Trossachs, Loch Venachar, East Loch Lomond and Mugdock Country Park. They have played roles in films such as Outlaw King (2018), The Eagle (2011), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Ivanhoe (1952), Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) The Angel’s Share (2012), Rob Roy (1953), and Mary Queen of Scots (2018).

Selfie time

Stirling Councillor Alison Laurie said: “While film fans are already flocking to locations across Stirling, this new map will make it easier for them to see more of our magnificent landmarks, picturesque towns and villages and beautiful countryside.

“Whether you want to take a selfie in the place where Chris Pine went into battle as Robert the Bruce in Outlaw King, see the home of the Stark family in Game of Thrones or relive where King Arthur and his band of merry knights were taunted by French soldiers in Monty Python and the Holy Grail – now you’ll know exactly where to go and how to fit it all in!”

Get your map

The film location map can be downloaded from the Stirling Council website and is available on the Explore Stirling App. It can also be picked up at tourist sites across Stirling, including those featured on the guide.

Photo credits:

  • Outlander Premiere: By Christine Ring [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0) or CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Stirling Council/Doune Castle: Photography by Whyler Photos of Stirling www.whylerphotos.com – 01786 474340

 

 

 
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A Scottish road trip for everyone: the Heart 200

by | May 9, 2019 | Blog

If you love the unspoilt landscape of Scotland but are less enamoured of its circuitous single-track Highland roads, you are in for a treat! A new Perthshire tourist route aims to rival the popularity of the iconic North Coast 500, and promises to be easier on both locals and drivers too.

The Heart 200 will take in several of Scotland's lochs

The Heart 200 will take in several of Scotland’s lochs

At its southernmost point, the Heart 200 takes in the City of Stirling

At its southernmost point, the Heart 200 takes in the City of Stirling

A new Scottish road trip

The Heart 200 is a new touring route of approximately 200 miles around Perth, Stirling, the Trossachs and Highland Perthshire – the very heart of Scotland. In addition, the route uniquely links Scotland’s two national parks, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and the Cairngorms.

Easier on drivers

But what distinguishes the Heart 200 from the world-renowned North Coast 500 – Scotland’s Route 66 – is that it is designed around major trunk roads, with a well-established built infrastructure, and there’s scope to accommodate increased numbers of tourists year on year.

So, if you’re daunted by driving on single track roads in a hire car, are not sure about the etiquette of passing places, are nervous about driving around sheep on a precipitous B-road, or want the reassurance of more frequent rest and re-fuelling points, then Heart 200 is for you.

No compromise

But be assured there’s no compromise on spectacle. The Heart 200 takes in some of Scotland’s most historic towns and cities, including Stirling at its southernmost tip. Travellers will be immersed in the captivating and unspoilt landscapes of Scotland’s two national Parks, as well as skirting the banks of Loch Tay. And that’s just a few landmarks along the route.

So, if you’re planning a first-time road trip in Scotland with Stirling as your base – then we’ve got you sorted!

More information:

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Easter family fun in Stirling

by | Mar 27, 2019 | Blog

Easter. Scotland is bursting into bloom and the days are noticeably longer. It’s time for getting outdoors, and catching up with the kids now the school term has finished. To help you plan an Easter to remember, we’ve rounded up some of the best family events throughout Stirlingshire for you!

Steam trains and Easter treats at Boness & Kinneil

Steam trains and Easter treats at Boness & Kinneil

Enjoy an Easter egg hunt at historic Blackness Castle

Enjoy an Easter egg hunt at historic Blackness Castle

Easter Egg Special Trains at Boness and Kinneil Railway

The railway’s hugely popular Easter Egg special trains run on Friday 19, Saturday 20, Sunday 21 April and Monday 22 April. There’s a prize for the best Easter bonnet, an Easter egg hunt in the Museum, and every child will get a free Easter treat during their train journey. Stay all day and explore the Museum, Model Railway and the railway site via the Visitor Trail at Bo’ness and the stations along the line. Bring a picnic and enjoy it in the comfort of the picnic railway carriages alongside the platform. For more information, see: https://www.bkrailway.co.uk/your-visit/events/

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts with National Trust

Cadbury have teamed up with the National Trust for Scotland again this year to create Easter Egg Hunts in some of Scotland’s most historic settings. Chocolate and culture, combined! The nearest hunts to Stirling take place from Good Friday to Easter Monday at The Battle of Bannockburn Centre, Alloa Tower in Clackmannanshure, Culross Palace, Fife. Events are included in the normal admission price. Check your chosen venue’s Egg Hunt dates and other postcodes on the Cadbury website, where you’ll also find lots of free downloads for fun Easter activities at home: https://easter.cadbury.co.uk/

Easter Eggsplorer Trails with Historic Scotland

Not to be outdone, Historic Scotland’s Easter Eggsplorer Trails take place at a number of iconic castles, abbeys, forts and palaces throughout Scotland. All you need to do is find the clues and complete the challenge to be a winner.  Drop-in throughout the day, and the events are included in normal admission. Free to members. The nearest participating venues to Stirling are Linlithgow Palace and Blackness Castle, from Good Friday to Easter Monday, but you can search for other venues here. 

Holiday Clubs with Historic Environment Scotland

With events at both Holyrood Park and Linlithgow Palace Peel, the Ranger team are offering a number of Easter holiday ‘walks on the wild side’ to help kids discover the birdlife, minibeasts and burrowing animals of these historic natural venues. Lasting from two to three hours, these events are aimed at children of 8 upwards, accompanied by an adult. The sessions are free, but booking is essential. More information here.

Kids can learn about birdlife with the rangers at Holyrood and Linlithgow Palace

Kids can learn about birdlife with the rangers at Holyrood and Linlithgow Palace

Outlander fans will enjoy the egg hunt at Culross Palace

Outlander fans will enjoy the egg hunt at Culross Palace

Photo credits:

  • Culross Palace: By Palickap (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Boness and Kinneil: Thomas Nugent [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Blackness Castle: Dr John Wells [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)]
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Five reasons you should spend spring in Stirling

by | Jan 15, 2019 | Blog

There’s nothing better than planning a spring break to lift the soul and give yourself something to look forward to. We think Stirling is the perfect place to spend this crisp and beautiful season – and here are five good reasons why!

Coorie in by a wood burning stove in one of our properties

Coorie in by a wood burning stove in one of our properties

Enjoy carpets of snowdrops around Stirling this spring

Enjoy carpets of snowdrops around Stirling this spring

You can coorie in

To ‘coorie’ or to ‘coorie in’ basically means to cuddle up or snuggle in Scots, and nothing beats a coorie with a loved one at a warm fireside. Oakside Cottage, Castleview, Gladstone and Tigh Mor are just a handful of our many properties with wood burners or open fires, perfect for a spring break when the weather can still be on the chilly side. Browse these and more here: https://www.stirlingselfcatering.co.uk/properties/

If you’d like to huddle by the fire with a wee dram and friendly company, head to the Portcullis or Nicky Tams in Stirling, or the Westerton Arms in Bridge of Allan. You’ll find a warm welcome and the comforting atmosphere of hearth and home in each of them.

Carpets of snowdrops

It seems the snowdrop sums up everything we love about spring: it’s a hopeful, beautiful and determined wee bloom that reappears undaunted every year despite late snows and biting cold. You’ll spot blankets of snowdrops in Bridge of Allan, University of Stirling Campus, as well as the King’s Park in Stirling – home to several of our properties. And in addition, Scotland’s annual snowdrop festival kicks off in January, with stately homes across Scotland opening up their gardens for visitors to witness the stunning carpets of snowdrops within. Find a participating garden near you here: http://discoverscottishgardens.org/

Seasonal produce

Stirling Farmers market takes place every second Saturday, with around 25 or more friendly stallholders setting out their season’s wares in Port Street, Stirling from 10am till 4pm. You’ll find fine Scottish produce as varied as dry-aged Highland beef and lamb in season, pork and bacon, venison and wild game, high welfare rose-veal, smoked fish and shellfish from the east coast, bread in great variety, chilli jams, chutneys and preserves, Scottish cheeses and butter, free-range hen/duck eggs, organic vegetables, deli items such as olives and pesto, award-winning fudge and tablet, savoury pies, country fruit wines, flavoured gins and crafted meads. Wow – what more could you want? For details see here: http://www.stirlingfarmersmarket.co.uk/

Remarkable theatre and cinema

As a cultural venue, Stirling rivals cities twice its size, with The Macrobert Arts Centre, The Albert Halls, and the Tolbooth all hosting regular theatre and live acts. See, for example, Ballet West’s The Nutcracker at The Macrobert Arts Centre at the beginning of February, folk legends McGoldrick, McCusker and Doyle at the Tolbooth, or Dan Snow at the Albert Halls – both in March. Keep an eye on the Macrobert’s eclectic cinema listings, too, with films you’d just never see elsewhere, as well as live screenings from the National Theatre and more. For more details: https://macrobertartscentre.org/whatson/stirling-cinema/

Your gateway to Scotland

Most of us turn our thoughts to our next holiday in January and February in order both to get good deals and to give us something to look forward to after winter’s festivities. So, if you’re planning to spend your spring in Scotland, make Stirling your base. The historic city offers easy access to Glasgow and Edinburgh by rail, and you can reach the southern Highlands in around an hour by car, too. The City’s central location literally gives you the key to explore the very best of Scotland and still be home in time for dinner. And, of course, it’s a stunning destination in its own right! Browse our properties and check availability here. We’ll be delighted to see you!

Stirling's historic Old Town is the perfect place to explore on foot this spring

Stirling’s historic Old Town is the perfect place to explore on foot this spring

The cobbled streets of Edinburgh are just a short train journey away

The cobbled streets of Edinburgh are just a short train journey away

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Putting the joy back into January

by | Jan 9, 2019 | Blog

So many people bemoan January as a dreich but necessary month after Christmas when we’re all supposed to go dry, go vegan and generally have a very dull time. We disagree! For us, it’s the perfect time to see Stirling’s historical landmarks at their least busy, embrace Scotland’s stunning winter landscape, and finish the month with a wee dram for the Bard. Here’s how.

Blackness Castle, hosting Brick City in January

Historic Blackness Castle, hosting Brick City this January

Lego in a historic venue - the perfect family day out this winter

Lego in a historic venue – the perfect family day out this winter

Castles ­– with extras

In the winter months, Historic Environment Scotland works hard to keep visitor numbers up by adding extra enticements included in your admission price, or free to Historic Scotland members. For example, at Stirling Castle, you can not only breathe in the sights and history of this Scottish landmark, but immerse yourself in the wonders of LEGO® too! Open until 23 January, the Brick Wonders exhibition features recreations in LEGO® bricks of sights from around the world, curated by artist Warren Elsmore. Beginning with the seven wonders of the ancient world, the exhibition also takes in modern, natural and historic wonders from all continents. For more information, visit: https://www.stirlingcastle.scot/whatson/events/brick-wonders/

And if you miss that one, or just can’t get enough Lego, you can visit Brick City at Blackness Castle until 24 March. While Outlander fans will be blown away by spending a day in the film location that doubled as Fort William, their kids will love seeing iconic buildings from cities around the world, recreated in LEGO® bricks. Again, it’s all part of your ticket. For more information, visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/

Wildlife with historic backdrops

If you are someone who loves nature whatever the weather, you’ll love the Winter Wildlife Workshop at Blackness Castle on 13 January, included in admission price. Visit the Castle, then enjoy a bid of bird-spotting on the beach before heading to the visitor centre. There, you and the family can create a bird feeder, bird box, or minibeast home to take away. Again, it’s all included in your ticket price, or free to members. For more information, visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/

If you miss that date, and enjoy a bracing winter walk, where better to do it than in the stunning surrounds of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots? On Sunday 10 February, enjoy a guided walk round Linlithgow Loch with a local ranger, who will offer insights into the wildlife of the Palace, loch and grounds. Outlander fans will also relish this view of the Palace, used as a backdrop for Wentworth prison in the series. The walk is free, but you need to book. For more information, visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/

Celebrate Rabbie Burns

Want to celebrate Burns Night, but don’t know where to start? The Ghillie Dhu in Edinburgh will take care of absolutely everything for you. Take the 50-minute train ride from Stirling and head to Rutland Place, where the Ghillie Dhu staff will welcome you with an arrival dram before you’re seated for dinner in their splendid auditorium. The haggis will be piped in, with all the traditional readings and toasts. Throughout dinner, there’s live Scottish folk music, and afterwards, you can dance the night away with a proper Scottish ceilidh. Tickets are available for 18 January to 27 January. And if you prefer a more-low key Burns knees-up, the Main Bar offers its normal menu alongside a toast to the haggis and live piper from Thursday to Sunday. That’s Burns Night sorted! For more information: http://ghillie-dhu.co.uk/burns-night/

Learn about Scotland's wildlife at Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace

Learn about Scotland’s wildlife at Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace

Dance the night away in honour of the Bard

Dance the night away in honour of the Bard

Photo credits: Blackness Castle: Dr John Wells [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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