The U.K. continues to hold a piece of my soul that no other country has quite grasped yet. Maybe it’s the friendly people, maybe it’s the beautiful countrysides, maybe it’s the amazing accents, or maybe it’s the lack of a language barrier that captivates me. Whatever it may be, I continue to feel more alive in the U.K. than anywhere in Europe.
For my birthday this year I took a trip to Scotland (my second time to this amazing country) and met up with my near and dear friend Pam from back home. We struggled for a bit when trying to decide on a meeting place, but after she suggested spending a few days in Scotland I knew it would be a good time.
I had reservations about visiting Scotland in February, but the weather turned out to be mostly ok. Aside from a four hour flight delay when trying to leave Munich due to a storm rolling through the U.K. I arrived at our hotel around midnight and was ready for a good nights sleep. Another prime example that travel is not always luxurious.
We were to spend four nights in Edinburgh, and use this city as our home base. From here we took day trips outside of the city – starting with a trip to Stirling. I had been to Edinburgh before, but only for seven hours. I knew I’d like to return, and this was a great time to do so. I had not been to Stirling before, so I was excited to see something new.
But first, breakfast.
Side note: I tried haggis for the first time and I am not a fan. Give me black pudding all day long, but keep the haggis away. BLECH.
Sterling is a short 45 min train ride from Edinburgh, and with a belly full of goodness (except for the haggis) we set off on our first adventure. The weather was moderate, with a rolling rotation of rain, sun, wind, and snow. This seemed to be the theme of the entire week. I didn’t hate it though.
Our goal for the morning was a visit to Stirling Castle, but first we weaved and bobbed through the streets and cemetery of the town.
Stirling Castle up on the hill.
We were able to tag along with a free guided tour of the castle (included in our entry ticket) and the most adorable little Scottish girl walked us around and chatted about the history. I could have listened to her speak all day.
After a proper castle tour it was time for one of the most important activities in the U.K…tea/coffee and scones!
I am a SUCKER for a good scone with butter and jam, and it’s worth the repercussions every.single.time. We sat inside the castle cafe waiting for a batch of rain to pass, and soon enough the sun came out. Rain, sun, wind, snow.
We staying in Sterling for about five hours before heading back to Edinburgh for the remainder of the day. By the time we got back, the snow started to fall. Rain, sun, wind, snow. This first adventure set the tone for the remainder of the week…slow moving. A reminder of how I used to travel before moving to Europe.
Snow fall back in Edinburgh.
Upon arrival back in Edinburgh, Pam took me on a walking tour around the city (she used to visit Edinburgh often as a flight attendant) to areas I hadn’t seen on my previous trip. We ended the day with dinner at Byron, a restaurant I had been to. This place is a good option for those with allergies/who need customization.
I try to balance eating whatever I want with “ok but you also have allergies so chill out” when I travel. It doesn’t always work out. LOL.
Next up: a day trip to the Highlands.
Q: Where is a place in the world that makes your soul come to life?
Blissfulbritt 
23 thoughts on “Stirling, Scotland”
B
That cemetery looks stunning. I love old, classic cemeteries. I’ll make it to Scotland one of these days!
Brittany
I adore a good cemetery. They are so calming to me!
rootchopper
Wow. I have just read Bill Bryson’s two books about his wanderings around Britain. You sound just like him. Castles and catherdrals and old towns with cute shops and cafes and scones with butter and jam and beautiful countryside, oh my.
Brittany
He has a great travel style!
thechrisdotcom
My travels aren’t as often as I like. I’ve been to some places but my favorite is always Leavenworth. It’s touristy but it also gets quiet enough to relax. Once you leave all the little towns and start up towards the pass it’s beautiful and scenic all the way into Leavenworth. I love it there. Some day I will move there, someday.
Brittany
I can’t wait to visit Leavenworth again. I love that town, and it will now give me a taste of Bavaria when I leave here.
sligo101
How I admire your great adventure! Scotland is in your heritage. Papa
Brittany
I love it soso much. But Ireland forever holds my heart.
Pam
Bonnie Brittany , You made my day seeing pictures from Our trip 👍 You know how much I love that island❤️ Ready to revisit whenever You are 👋👋👋🙋
Brittany
I can’t wait to share more from our time together! ❤️
Hettie D.
So cool! I love the cemetery as well… and everything else!
Brittany
This cemetery was so beautiful!
Josh dV
Such an amazing trip! The views are lovely and you look so happy.
Brittany
Thank you friend! It really was such a good trip.
gpavants
Hi Brittney,
I am with you on Haggis. But the people and the countryside sounds and look great. Pretty much being outside recharges me, yet San Diego beaches and their surrounding areas are pretty awesome.
Great adventures to you!
Gary
Brittany
Being outside is my favorite place to be!
Amy
We spent some time in Stirling when we went to Scotland too! The castle was so fun to walk around… And I remember those thrones! My memory might be wrong, but… Wasn’t Sherlock Holmes somehow tied to Stirling? I seem to remember a statue of him somewhere in the city, but I could be mixing it up with another city… Or another person… I’m getting old and my memory is going! 😂🙈
Brittany
There was some connection to Sherlock Holmes…I think! But I also don’t remember. I don’t know if it was the castle or the city…or somewhere else in Scotland, but it sounds really familiar haha.
Amy
I was SO curious that I just had to look it up… The Sherlock Holmes statue is in Edinburgh! (17/3 Union Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3NQ, United Kingdom) Not Stirling. Oops… That’s what happens when my 14-year-old memory can’t quite remember all of the details. 😂
Brittany
AHH that’s why I feel like my friend Pam talked about it still, because we were in Edinburgh!! I am glad you looked this up!! 🙂
ReidIvinsMedia
Stirling has mixed memories for me. Had a great time at the university one summer. Another summer I nearly burnt down a campsite due to a fuel spillage early one morning – a tad embarrassing!
Brittany
Oh my!! That campsite fiasco would definitely give me some PTSD. Glad it didn’t burn anything down.
ReidIvinsMedia
It was “interesting” trying to extinguish a meths (denatured alcohol) flame in bright sunlight. Couldn’t see the flame, just watched the grass start to smoke and prayed/stamped/threw water about. A bit too much adrenaline for an early morning!