Stirling
On Thursday morning I enjoyed a final breakfast overlooking the bustling streets of Edinburgh before packing up and heading to the train station. The train trip between the capital and Stirling takes around an hour and covers gorgeous green landscapes, you can even see the famous Kelpies in the distance during the ride. After finding my accommodation, I dropped off my bags and headed towards Stirling Castle which is situated on one of the highest vantage points in the area. I spent a solid three hours just wandering through every part of the castle, as there was so much to explore. If you have time take one of the guided tours and roam around the castle walls, the views of the surrounding landscapes are spectacular! Out of the several castles I saw during my European trip, Stirling castle was one of my favourites. It’s easy to see why, seeped in history the place has an incredible sense of majesty.
In the distance you can see the Wallace monument located near Stirling University. The university grounds are beautiful and so is the local area situated around Bridge of Allen, highly recommended if you have the time to stop by. The weather was a mixture of light rain and sunshine whilst maintaining a strong wind current, and daffodils had sprouted on almost every corner. Later in the day I spent some time exploring some of the other historic sites nearby, including Argyll’s lodging – a beautiful homestead with an interesting history.
For me personally Stirling was the gateway to the highlands and more northern areas of the country. After a week spent in the bustle of both Glasgow and Edinburgh it was refreshing to slow down and escape to the countryside momentarily. In my next post I’m excited to be sharing the first day from my weekend away in the incredible highlands, so look out for its arrival shortly!
Kathleen Freeman is a graphic designer and freelance writer; she is currently undertaking a Media and Communications degree. In her spare time she continues the search to find the book/coffee shop combination store throughout the globe.
All images, unless otherwise stated, are copyright of Kathleen Freeman, and may not be reproduced without express written permission of the author.