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Things to do after the Stirling Scottish Marathon

Looking to make a weekend of it in Stirling? We show you the best places to go after you’ve run the Stirling Scottish Marathon.

A view over Stirling.

A view over Stirling.

At the first-ever Stirling Scottish Marathon, hundreds of brave-hearted souls will be running through spectacular scenery in this historically important Scottish city.

So if you’re taking part in this exciting event in the Great Run calendar, why not make some history of your own and spend a weekend in Stirling? From the battle of Bannockburn to the wildlife at Blair Drummond Safari Park, it’ll definitely be a visit to remember.

Blair Drummond

The race starts and ends at Blair Drummond, a great place for a family day out. You’ll see tons of animals, from alpacas to zebras, and there are lots of different ways to see them, whether you drive through the four nature reserves or take a boat to Chimp Island. (Watch out for your windscreen wipers in the macaque reserve, however – those monkeys are hands-on). There’s lots of fun in between, too, with a fun fair, adventure park and pedal boats.

Stirling Castle

Positioned strategically high above the city, Stirling Castle was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, with an incredibly dramatic history. It was taken over by the English in 1296, and famously captured by Robert the Bruce in the aftermath of Bannockburn. It’s also been the site of some unusual occurrences. The oldest football in the world was discovered here, kicked around by Mary Queen of Scots as a child, and, bizarrely, it was also the location of the first attempt at human flight. In 1507, John Damian made a pair of feathered wings and proceeded to jump off the battlements. However, rather than soaring into the air, he landed in a dunghill and broke his leg. Whoops.

Wallace Monument

Built 140 years ago to honour Scotland’s hero, William Wallace, the Wallace Monument can be seen for miles around and stands as a proud reminder of his role at Bannockburn. Unlike in Wallace’s time, there’s also a fascinating interactive museum, staged battle re-enactments and a lovely café in case you need a nice cuppa after all that running around.

Book a walking tour

Stirling Walking Tours are a great way to discover the historic old town. You will be guided through the Royal Burgh by a local expert, who will regale you with all kinds of funny, mysterious and downright weird facts about Stirling. And if you ask nicely, they may even tell you about the magical curse…

Bannockburn

Running 26 miles is nothing compared to what was endured at Bannockburn in 1314, so a trip to this immersive museum – which is situated at the site of the battle – will put all those blisters into perspective! 3D exhibits will put you right at the heart of the action and give you the opportunity to test your battlefield strategy against other visitors.

Deanston Distillery

The water of life is Scotland’s finest export, so why not take your aching limbs on a tour of this charming distillery? Deanston started life as a cotton mill, and the community of workers that grew around it was completely self-sufficient, with the mill owners even introducing their own currency. In 1967, the mill became a distillery and they’ve been making artisan single malt ever since, using the water from the River Teith. You can take a dram during the tour, and you can even fill your own bottle by hand, straight from the cask.

The Birds and the Bees

Looking for some super scran after your run? This cosy, award-winning Birds & Bees restaurant is just a short hop from the castle, and has all the ingredients to help you recuperate after all that exertion. From roaring fires to a pretty beer garden, it’s got all bases covered, offering a menu full of traditional rib-sticking food, craft ales and an impressive wine list. You can even have a game of boules. Very civilised.

Nicky-Tams Bar and Bothy

If you’re looking for a rip-roaring night out that you might not remember forever, then head along to Nicky-Tams. Opened in 1718, it’s one of Stirling’s oldest pubs, and still boasts the family crest of its original owner Laird Craigengelt above the door. With malts of the month, a range of locally-brewed beers and live music most nights, it’s the perfect end to a fun weekend.

About the Author

Lucy Sweet

Staff writer at Arnold Clark

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