Stirling

Stirling appears at first glance like a smaller version of Edinburgh. With its crag-top castle, steep, and cobbled streets, it's an appealing place, though it lacks the cosmopolitan edge of its near neighbours Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Stirling is known for its Castle(daily 9:30am-6pm; Oct-March closes 5pm, ￡8.5) -arguably the best in Scotland and certainly as atmospheric as Edinburgh's, and the lofty Wallace Monument. (Mel Gibson's Oscar-winning film epic Braveheart, is basedon Wallace's life)