The Back Walk
In the mood for a restful afternoon's stroll? Then savour the verdant charms of the Back Walk, which loops around much of the Old Town, following the line of the Medieval defensive Burgh Wall which - as our bloody history proves - never really succeeded in keeping would-be invaders out!
Much of the Wall was demolished in the 18th-century, and it quickly became one of our very first visitor attractions.
From Dumbarton Road, and the site of the original Burgh Gate, the Back Walk continues uphill, skirting the Stirling Highland Hotel (the Victorian High School, famed for it's Observatory), the Erskine Marykirk, Old Town Jail, Cowane's Hospital and Holy Rude Cemeteries...before leading you into the majestic shadow of Stirling Castle, then across the Ballengeich Road toward the Gowan Hill, where the murderers of James I were beheaded in the 15th-century (the Beheading Stone is still there - having been rescued from a Forthside farmer who was using it to de-horn rams, in the 1880s).
From this pretty, verdant pathwayway you can enjoy views, too, of the King's Park - the hunting grounds of the Stuart Kings - the Albert Halls and Smith Art Gallery & Museum, and the curious raised grassy mound of the King's Knot...and (on a clear day) the distant peak of Ben Lomond.
- Old Town Tour
- Old Town Jail
- Destination Stirling
- Visit Scotland
- The Smith Art Gallery and Museum on Dumbarton Road
- Stirling Castle
- The Tolbooth on St. John Street
- Church of the Holy Rude on St John Street
- The Back Walk
- National Wallace Monument on the Abbey Craig
- Battle of Bannockburn
- Darnley Coffee House on Bow Street
- Hermann's Restaurant on Broad Street
- The Settle Inn on St Mary's Wynd
- La Ciociara on Friars Street
- Loch Katrine Experience
- The Golden Lion Hotel, King Street
- There & Back Again (Transport!)
- Stirling Bagpipes, Broad Street
- Sprinkle Happiness
- The Stirling Arcade on King Street
- Thistles Shopping Centre
- Scribbler's Picnic
- For The Love of Eilidh: The Eilidh Brown Memorial Fund
- The John Muir Way
- Changelings Costumes & Accessories