Stirling

-> Scotland -> Central Scotland -> Stirling, the Trossachs and Loch Lomond -> Stirling

Accommodation

Between May and October, you'll need to book accommodation as far in advance as possible. A good area to look in is King's Park, an opulent Victorian suburb of tree-lined avenues and splendid villas immediately south of the tourist office. There's a high concentration of B&Bs on Causewayhead Road, which leads north to the university.

Hotels and B&Bs

No. 10 10 Gladstone Place tel 01786/472681, www.cameron-10.co.uk. Modernized Victorian home providing friendly and pleasant B&B accommodation. £40-50.

The Portcullis Castle Wynd tel 01786/472290, www.theportcullishotel.com. Small, traditional hotel in an imposing two-hundred-year-old building that's recently been refurbished, in a dramatic location adjacent to the castle at the top of the town. £70-90.

Ravenscroft 21 Clarendon Place tel 01786/473815, www.ravenscroft.stirling.co.uk. A lovely Victorian house offering B&B with antiques throughout, stripped pine floors and views to the castle. £40-50.

XI Victoria Square 11 Victoria Sq tel 01786/475545, www.xivictoriasquare.com. A slightly more upmarket B&B with designer rooms, sumptuous breakfasts and great views of the old town. £60-70.

Hostels and campsite

Located a hundred yards from the station in an old Victorian building, the liveliest budget option is the Willy Wallace Independent Hostel, 77 Murray Place (tel 01786/446773; www.willywallace.f9.co.uk), a welcoming, friendly place with a big, bright common room, six dorms, a double and a twin. At the top of the town (a strenuous trek with a backpack) is the SYHA hostel (tel 01786/473442), in a converted church on St John Street with an impressive 1824 Palladian facade. It's modern and a little lacking in character; all rooms have showers and toilets en suite, and continental breakfast is included. The high-season price is £13.75 per person. The pleasant Witches Craig campsite is at Blairlogie, three miles east off the A91 road to St Andrews (tel 01786/474947; April-Oct).