Glasgow and Edinburgh may get more visitors, but it’s Stirling that can arguably claim Scotland’s greatest historical monuments within its confines – and I am not just talking about Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument. Although this walk visits both of these remarkable and iconic buildings, it is some of the lesser-known ones that stir equal interest. These include little Cambuskenneth Abbey, Stirling Bridge, and the 17th-century Kings Knot Royal garden. Stirling is a beautiful city, very much aware of its heritage, and this route takes full advantage of it and some of Central Scotland’s finest views.
[1] Facing Stirling train station (NS798935), turn left and walk along the B8052. Turn right into Forth Place to cross a bridge over the A9 and railway. Continue to a mini-roundabout, then turn left (signposted for Cambuskenneth Abbey) onto Shore Road, which runs parallel to Forth Crescent. The road descends beside the River Forth, crossing a small park.
(A) In the 17th century, this was the site of Stirling Harbour.
Once through the park, follow Abbey Road until it swings left to reach a footbridge (NS805941).
[2] Turn right, cross the bridge and walk along to the end of South Street. Turn right and follow Ladysneuk Road to Cambuskenneth Abbey (NS808939).
(B) The abbey was founded in 1140 by King David I as one of a number of religious communities set up by the monarch to try to modernise the Scottish Church.
Retrace your steps out of the grounds and follow Ladysneuk Road by the Abbey Inn to reach a public path opposite Ferry Orchard (NS808943).
[3] Turn right onto the rough path, which crosses a field granting wonderful views of the Wallace Monument. Once over a footbridge, follow the path to cross a stile. Follow the field edge over another stile, then turn left onto a single-track road. Walk along here through open countryside with great views of Stirling Castle.
At a cottage the road swings left to reach Ladysneuk Road. Turn right and continue along a pavement over the railway by a level crossing to reach the A907 (NS808954). Turn left and head straight to a roundabout. Turn right into Logie Road and climb steeply into Hillfoots Road to reach the Wallace Monument car park. Go around the ticket office (purchase tickets if you want to climb the monument) onto a path, which climbs through attractive woodland to join a narrow road. A signposted path on the right climbs steeply to the base of the Wallace Monument (NS809957) and some extraordinary views.
[4] Retrace your steps back to Logie Road. Cross the A907 and continue straight down Causewayhead Road past attractive stone villas. Once underneath a railway bridge, cross Cornton Road and pick up a path, which leads to Bridgehaugh Road. Turn left and walk over the wonderful cobble-stoned Stirling Bridge (NS797945).
(C) This is the site of the famous Battle of Stirling Bridge which occured in 1297, during the First War of Scottish Independence.
Once across, turn left onto a cyclepath, go through two underpasses, then turn right onto Wallace Street. Follow this around to the left and continue along Union Street onto Lower Bridge Street. Turn first right and climb Upper Bridge Street (NS795942), merging into St Mary’s Wynd, to reach Broad Street. Turn right here, and at the end, turn right and follow the road to reach Stirling Castle (NS794942).
[5] Retrace your steps to The Portcullis and immediately turn right onto a path, which passes Old Town Cemetery to a fork. Turn left then right onto a woodland path and descend to a minor road. Turn left and descend towards the A811, bearing left to follow a pavement with the castle above to your left. Just before Kings Knot Roundabout, turn left through a gate in the wall (NS787937), bear right and follow the grassy path over Kings Knot, before passing out through another gate.
(D)The raised, three-tiered octagonal Royal garden is still visible today, 400 years after it was created.
Walk along Alberts Place onto Dumbarton Road, crossing Corn Exchange Road to reach Port Street. Continue onto Upper Craigs and follow this down to the B8052. Turn left to walk back to the start.